logo
episode-header-image
Jul 20
40m 20s

Megalodon

History Hit
About this episode

As part of our week of Sharks on the Ancients, today we tell the story of Megalodon, the largest living marine animal, ever.


Does this colossal prehistoric shark still lurk beneath the waves? Tristan Hughes is joined by leading expert Professor John Long to unveil the jaw-dropping size, power, and ferocity of this ancient super-predator. John recounts his incredible fossil discoveries which chart evolutionary milestones, and reveals the mind-blowing hunting strategies of Megalodon. 


MORE

Prehistoric Ireland: Newgrange

https://shows.acast.com/the-ancients/episodes/prehistoric-ireland-newgrange

Woolly Mammoths

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2CqmGAaFfqm2yFFsSHXpsX


Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds

The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.


LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/


Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. 


You can take part in our listener survey here:

https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
The First Hawaiians
Tristan Hughes goes on an exploration of Hawaii's earliest settlers, guided by the insights of Dr. Patrick Kirch, a leading expert on Hawaiian archeology. From the arrival of Polynesians around AD 1000, using sophisticated double-hull canoes, to their unique agricultural practice ... Show More
51m 57s
Oct 5
Gladiators: A Day in the Life
The Colosseum packed with roaring crowds, the sand stained with sweat and blood. But today, you’re not watching - you’re fighting. Welcome to a day in the life of a Roman gladiator.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by historian and author Dr Harry Sidebott ... Show More
59m 56s
Oct 2
Origins of Mythology
From Cinderella to Beauty and the Beast, the roots of fairy tales stretch back thousands of years — to the dawn of Indo-European languages and beyond.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by author and journalist Laura Spinney to explore the origins of mytholo ... Show More
47m 45s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2025
When Europeans reached Australia
Professor Suzannah Lipscomb delves into the dramatic story of the first European encounters with the indigenous people of Australia. She's joined by Professor Alistair Paterson who sheds light on the reported events of February 1606 when the Dutch unexpectedly stumbled upon the s ... Show More
46m 1s
Nov 2001
Oceanography
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the science of Oceanography. In 1870 Jules Verne described the deep ocean in 2,000 Leagues Under the Sea. He wrote: “The sea is an immense desert where man is never alone for he feels life, quivering around him on every side.” This was actually clo ... Show More
28m 9s
Feb 2025
Versailles: Science & Splendour
The opulent halls of 17th and 18th-century Versailles were not just filled with dazzlingly dressed courtiers and royal intrigue. They also positively buzzed with scientific discovery and innovation, making the French royal court a crossroads of science and power.  Professor Suzan ... Show More
33m 56s
Aug 11
The Shark Attacks That Made Us Fear the Water
August 15, 1915. American diplomat J. T. Du Bois publishes a letter in The New York Times. It’s not about diplomacy or foreign affairs. This letter is about sharks. It’s Du Bois’ attempt to prove to the American public that “Man-Eating Sharks” - as he calls them - are real. Becau ... Show More
32m 53s
Sep 23
Prophecies of Merlin
Step into the mist-shrouded world of medieval magic, forbidden love, and forgotten prophecies. In this episode of Gone Medieval, Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by renowned Arthurian expert John Matthews to explore The Prophecies of Merlin — a long-lost medieval text finally transla ... Show More
57m 44s
Feb 2025
Violette Dorange me raconte son tour du monde historique à la voile à 23 ans (Vendée Globe)
À 23 ans, elle vient de terminer le Vendée Globe. Entretien avec Violette Dorange pour revenir sur son parcours et ses 3 mois en mer. Pour retrouver cet échange, mes autres interviews et l’actualité en podcast :- Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/6y1PloEyNsCNJH9vHias4T- App ... Show More
54m 18s
Aug 11
Molière: Satire, Scandal & the Stage
Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Professor Jan Clarke to explore the life, legend, and legacy of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin — better known as Molière. From his audacious rejection of bourgeois expectations to his controversial plays that rattled the Catholic Church and deligh ... Show More
49m 38s
Sep 17
291. Ancient Gaza: The Philistines (Part 1)
Gaza is one of the oldest urban centres on Earth, and in this series we are exploring its long history. It was first referred to by Pharaoh Thutmose III in the 15th century BC when it was known as Ghazzati. In this episode we ask: Who were the Philistines? Why did Egyptian pharao ... Show More
48m 56s
Sep 26
King Arthur
How have tales of King Arthur evolved over centuries and why have they exerted such an enduring cultural appeal on countless generations?Matt Lewis delves into the legend of King Arthur, guided by Dr. Mary Bateman. Together they explore the evolution of Arthur's myth from ancient ... Show More
58m 44s
Sep 3
The Chindits
During World War Two, an unconventional special force was formed. Known as the Chindits, they fought behind enemy lines in Burma, now Myanmar during 1943 and 1944 in the war against Japan.Their leader was the charismatic Orde Wingate, a British Army officer. This programme is mad ... Show More
10m 19s