Why Do We Do That? An anthropologist's guide to the modern world.There are lots of everyday things which, when you think about them, are pretty weird. Like kiss...
BONUS: Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Dogs with Greger Larson.BBC Studios Audio
Producer: Olivia Jani
Additional Production: Emily Bird
Series Producer: Geraldine Fitzgerald
Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
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19:54
4. Why do we love dogs?
Ella Al-Shamahi asks why do we love dogs? Dogs evolved from wolves but why did they choose us humans to be their best friends?They say dogs are a man’s best friend but all dogs, even chihuahuas are descended from wolves, the grey wolf, a majestic, fierce and incredibly dangerous species. How did this happen but more importantly, why did we start trusting wolves? And when did wolves turn into dogs?Dogs have been a part of our story for a long time. They are depicted in cave and rock art and dogs are a part of our story because of how useful they are. From the mundane everyday hunting and guarding to the epic stories of life saving dogs . But how did we get here?
Oxford Professor Greger Lawson studies ancient dog DNA and thinks the evolution from wolves into dogs began when we both realised we could help each other.
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15:29
More... Grandmothers with Emily Emmott
Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Grandmothers with Emily Emmott.BBC Studios Audio
Producer: Olivia Jani
Additional Production: Emily Bird
Series Producer: Geraldine Fitzgerald
Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
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19:21
3. Why do we have grandmas?
Grandmothers are a bit of a mystery, biologically speaking. If the biological purpose of life is to survive and have children, why are they so important even once they've stopped being able to reproduce? Of course, as we all know, grandma's are the rock of most families, and it turns out, biologically also incredibly useful. Grandmothers are a logical necessity, your mother and father also had mothers so that equals two grandmas for you. But the evolutionary role they play in many of our lives has been less easily explained until now. Why are they so helpful? Why do they stop having children of their own? Why do we have grandmothers?!Ella speaks to anthropologist Dr Emily Emmott, and midwife, educator and grandmother Sheena Byrom OBE BBC Studios Audio Production
Producer Emily Bird
Additional production Olivia Jani
Series Producer Geraldine Fitzgerald
Executive Producer Alexandra Feachem
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14:51
More... Football fanatics with Martha Newson
Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Football Fanatics with Martha Newson.BBC Studios Audio
Producer: Olivia Jani
Additional Production: Emily Bird
Series Producer: Geraldine Fitzgerald
Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
Why Do We Do That? An anthropologist's guide to the modern world.There are lots of everyday things which, when you think about them, are pretty weird. Like kissing, doomscrolling and sitting down to go to the loo. Social media may tell you to blame the latest influencer who went viral. Your therapist might tell you to blame your parents. But palaeoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi is here to tell you to blame your great, great, great, great, great, etc. grandparents. For some stuff at least. In this series, Ella is joined by some wonderful guests to dive into the cultural, historical and evolutionary story of everyday human habits and behaviour.Photo: Sarah Cresswell / The Times / News Licensing
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