In the age of AI and the smartphone is history a vital form of knowledge?  How can the treasures of the past enrich our minds and help us to live more fully today? 

In a special Ramsay Centre presentation, award-winning UK historian, author and broadcaster Bettany Hughes, draws on her field research, including digs in Europe, North Africa and Central Asia, to explore how archaeology in particular is a powerful tool that can make us better and wiser travellers in a modern world that is everywhere marked by the traces of the past. 

At a time when technology seems to offer the possibility of existing solely in a permanent and therefore impoverished present, Bettany shares why the past has absolute value and relevance, and why it is, in fact, one of our greatest treasures. 

Bettany Hughes is an award-winning historian, author and broadcaster. Her previous books include The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Venus and Aphrodite: History of a Goddess, Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities, The Hemlock Cup: Socrates, Athens and The Search For The Good Life, and Helen of Troy: Goddess, Princess, Whore which has been translated into ten languages.

She has made many documentaries for the BBC, Channel 4, PBS, National Geographic, SBS, ABC and the Discovery and History channels. Bettany has been a Professor at the New College of Humanities and Research Fellow at King’s College London and has been honoured with numerous awards including the Medlicott Medal for services to history, Europe’s Cultural Heritage Prize and an OBE for services to history.