What makes us human? Iszi Lawrence, host of the British Museum Membercast, thinks it’s the wearing of socks but fortunately she’s keeping an open mind on the subject. In the second episode of the Membercast, Iszi meets Clive Gamble, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Southampton, to unpick this question. Using the oldest objects in the British Museum to illustrate his argument, Clive explores the development of the human imagination in a lively and wide-ranging interview. The conversation is interspersed with excerpts from Clive’s sell-out Members’ lecture from 2016, Brains, objects and deep history.

Clive Gamble is a Trustee of the British Museum and Chairman of the British Museum Friends Advisory Council.

The British Museum Membercast is a monthly podcast made available to ‘all studious and curious persons’. Comedian, podcaster and super-fan Iszi Lawrence (The Z List Dead List) presents snippets from exclusive Members’ lectures at the Museum, artfully woven together with interviews and her own musings.

Please share your comments and feedback about the podcast! You can talk to us on Twitter @britishmuseum using the hashtag #membercast or email friends@britishmuseum.org