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Wolves and Wheat

Wolves and Wheat

By William Conner & Balint Imre

An interdisciplinary podcast uncovering the intersections of biology and history
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Volume 1 Episode 8: Rice Rice Baby

Wolves and WheatJan 12, 2022

00:00
29:45
Volume 1 Episode 8: Rice Rice Baby

Volume 1 Episode 8: Rice Rice Baby

We discuss the geographical limitations of China, and the impact it had on the founder crop package species of China. We cover what makes rice such a unique crop species, including the biological changes it had to undergo during domestication. We also discuss the domestication of soybeans and millet, the other species that make up the China founder crop package.

Check us out on our website at wolvesandwheatpodcast.com and reach  out    to us at wolvesandwheatpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

Jan 12, 202229:45
Volume 1 Episode 7: Spread the Bread Part 2

Volume 1 Episode 7: Spread the Bread Part 2

We continue where we left off in Part 1, discussing the spread of agriculture in the Balkans, Central, Western and Northern Europe, as well as brief look on Central Asia. You can find show notes and references wolvesandwheapodcast.com and you can reach out to us at wolvesandwheatpodcast@gmail.com

Apr 17, 202125:10
Volume 1 Episode 6: Spread the Bread Part 1

Volume 1 Episode 6: Spread the Bread Part 1

In this episode, we explore how the Levant Founder Crop Species Package made its way to new geographical and culturally distinct regions. We start with the immediate spread in the Levant, the spread to Greece, and also the history of agriculture in Northern Africa. We also discuss the technology humans used to spread agriculture through sea routes, and set up Part 2 about the expanse into Europe.

Check us out on our website at wolvesandwheatpodcast.com and reach out to us at wolvesandwheatpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

Apr 06, 202126:37
Volume 1 Episode 5: Our Daily Bread

Volume 1 Episode 5: Our Daily Bread

We discuss what makes wheat, common wheat in particular, such unique species in terms of genetics compared to other domesticated plants, and the types of genetic changes wheat and barley had to undergo in order to expand their range with humans.


Check us out on our website at wolvesandwheatpodcast.com and reach out    to us at wolvesandwheatpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or   comments.

Dec 12, 202028:04
Volume 1 Episode 4: Paradigm Shift

Volume 1 Episode 4: Paradigm Shift

We continue our journey through Plant Domestication, with a deeper dive on Near Eastern Plant Domestication models. We review the old model that we mentioned parts of in our first few episodes, and then introduce what we think is a better model, that holds up better when viewed from multiple scientific disciplines.

Check us out on our website at wolvesandwheatpodcast.com and reach out   to us at wolvesandwheatpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or  comments.

Sep 27, 202027:23
Volume 1 Supplemental 2: Nitrogen Fixing Plants

Volume 1 Supplemental 2: Nitrogen Fixing Plants

In this episode we continue our detour and explore the symbiotic relationship between Nitrogen-fixing bacteria and plants . Check us out on our website at wolvesandwheatpodcast.com and reach out  to us at wolvesandwheatpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

Jul 26, 202029:23
Volume 1 Supplemental 1: Biology and History of C4 Plants

Volume 1 Supplemental 1: Biology and History of C4 Plants

In this episode we take a detour and explore biochemistry of C4 photosynthesis and the effects that C4 plants had on the biosphere and on human history. Check us out on our website at wolvesandwheatpodcast.com and reach out  to us at wolvesandwheatpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

Jun 19, 202021:59
Volume 1 Episode 3: The Crops That Feed the World
May 26, 202038:19
Volume 1 Episode 2: To Hunt or Not to Hunt

Volume 1 Episode 2: To Hunt or Not to Hunt

We explore what made the shift from a hunter gather society to an agricultural society possible and necessary based on anthropological, archeological, and genetic evidence. Check us out on our website at wolvesandwheatpodcast.com and reach out to us at wolvesandwheatpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

May 05, 202028:40
Volume 1 Episode 1: The Land Before History

Volume 1 Episode 1: The Land Before History

We explore mechanisms that cause ice ages and their impact on the development of agriculture. Reach out to us at wolvesandwheatpodcast@gmail.com

Apr 19, 202033:06
Episode 0: Self-introduction

Episode 0: Self-introduction

Welcome to Wolves and Wheat Podcast, our podcast about the interactions of biology and history! In this short episode we introduce ourselves and the podcast. Reach out to us at wolvesandwheatpodcast@gmail.com

Apr 19, 202001:11