Kit Opie
@kitopie.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in Evolutionary Anthropology, @bristolantharch.bsky.social University of Bristol - drivers of change in human evolution - origin of the state - origins of inequality.
Pinned
Kit Opie
@kitopie.bsky.social
· Nov 25
State formation across cultures and the role of grain, intensive agriculture, taxation and writing - Nature Human Behaviour
Opie and Atkinson conduct a global phylogenetic analysis of 868 cultures and find evidence indicating that cereal grain cultivation, not agricultural surplus, drove state formation. Their findings als...
www.nature.com
The invention of agriculture (around 9,000 years ago) spurred the rise of early states? NO. Our research www.nature.com/articles/s41... (with @drqueue.bsky.social) in @nathumbehav.nature.com supports an alternative theory that States almost invariably formed in societies that grew cereal grains.
Reposted by Kit Opie
Congratulations to Prof Mhairi Gibson and Dr Hannelore Van Bavel for their new publication!
This work is a broad review on how anthropologists are contributing to understanding on FGMC.
Read through link 👉 doi.org/10.1111/aman...
This work is a broad review on how anthropologists are contributing to understanding on FGMC.
Read through link 👉 doi.org/10.1111/aman...
January 27, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Congratulations to Prof Mhairi Gibson and Dr Hannelore Van Bavel for their new publication!
This work is a broad review on how anthropologists are contributing to understanding on FGMC.
Read through link 👉 doi.org/10.1111/aman...
This work is a broad review on how anthropologists are contributing to understanding on FGMC.
Read through link 👉 doi.org/10.1111/aman...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
The 1953 Coup in Iran was led by MI6 with CIA support @dansabbagh.bsky.social #Coup53
The 1953 Coup in Iran was led by MI6 with CIA support @dansabbagh.bsky.social #Coup53
Why Trump’s options are limited when it comes to using force against Iran
As US president tells protesters ‘help is on the way’, any military action would be unlikely to succeed
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:57 PM
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
The 1953 Coup in Iran was led by MI6 with CIA support @dansabbagh.bsky.social #Coup53
The 1953 Coup in Iran was led by MI6 with CIA support @dansabbagh.bsky.social #Coup53
Reposted by Kit Opie
Interview (from 17.00) for the Briefing with Monocle_Radio
on State formation: grain, tax and writing - from research (with @quentinatkinson.bsky.social) @nathumbehav.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41....
monocle.com/radio/shows/...
on State formation: grain, tax and writing - from research (with @quentinatkinson.bsky.social) @nathumbehav.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41....
monocle.com/radio/shows/...
The Gulf states look towards a joint defensive strategy at the 46th GCC summit - Monocle
As Gulf leaders convene for the 46th GCC summit during a tense time for the region, we discuss what role...
monocle.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Interview (from 17.00) for the Briefing with Monocle_Radio
on State formation: grain, tax and writing - from research (with @quentinatkinson.bsky.social) @nathumbehav.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41....
monocle.com/radio/shows/...
on State formation: grain, tax and writing - from research (with @quentinatkinson.bsky.social) @nathumbehav.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41....
monocle.com/radio/shows/...
Reposted by Kit Opie
The marvellous @kitopie.bsky.social explaining how both monogamy and 'promiscuous' mating can help females avoid infanticide, "both early humans and chimpanzees are trying to solve the same problem"!
How monogamous are humans compared to other animals?
Check out this BBC interview with @kitopie.bsky.social to learn more!
Check out this BBC interview with @kitopie.bsky.social to learn more!
December 15, 2025 at 1:42 PM
The marvellous @kitopie.bsky.social explaining how both monogamy and 'promiscuous' mating can help females avoid infanticide, "both early humans and chimpanzees are trying to solve the same problem"!
Reposted by Kit Opie
How monogamous are humans compared to other animals?
Check out this BBC interview with @kitopie.bsky.social to learn more!
Check out this BBC interview with @kitopie.bsky.social to learn more!
December 12, 2025 at 11:26 AM
How monogamous are humans compared to other animals?
Check out this BBC interview with @kitopie.bsky.social to learn more!
Check out this BBC interview with @kitopie.bsky.social to learn more!
Reposted by Kit Opie
Recent research by @kitopie.bsky.social also discussed in The Archaeology Channel 👇🏽👏🏽
www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/...
@uobartsmatter.bsky.social
www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/...
@uobartsmatter.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Recent research by @kitopie.bsky.social also discussed in The Archaeology Channel 👇🏽👏🏽
www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/...
@uobartsmatter.bsky.social
www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/...
@uobartsmatter.bsky.social
Reposted by Kit Opie
Nice to have heard Kit on the radio yesterday discussing his recent publication on @nathumbehav.nature.com!
Congrats on all the engagement 🙌 🎉
@uobartsmatter.bsky.social
Congrats on all the engagement 🙌 🎉
@uobartsmatter.bsky.social
Interview (from 17.00) for the Briefing with Monocle_Radio
on State formation: grain, tax and writing - from research (with @quentinatkinson.bsky.social) @nathumbehav.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41....
monocle.com/radio/shows/...
on State formation: grain, tax and writing - from research (with @quentinatkinson.bsky.social) @nathumbehav.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41....
monocle.com/radio/shows/...
The Gulf states look towards a joint defensive strategy at the 46th GCC summit - Monocle
As Gulf leaders convene for the 46th GCC summit during a tense time for the region, we discuss what role...
monocle.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Nice to have heard Kit on the radio yesterday discussing his recent publication on @nathumbehav.nature.com!
Congrats on all the engagement 🙌 🎉
@uobartsmatter.bsky.social
Congrats on all the engagement 🙌 🎉
@uobartsmatter.bsky.social
Interview (from 17.00) for the Briefing with Monocle_Radio
on State formation: grain, tax and writing - from research (with @quentinatkinson.bsky.social) @nathumbehav.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41....
monocle.com/radio/shows/...
on State formation: grain, tax and writing - from research (with @quentinatkinson.bsky.social) @nathumbehav.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41....
monocle.com/radio/shows/...
The Gulf states look towards a joint defensive strategy at the 46th GCC summit - Monocle
As Gulf leaders convene for the 46th GCC summit during a tense time for the region, we discuss what role...
monocle.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Interview (from 17.00) for the Briefing with Monocle_Radio
on State formation: grain, tax and writing - from research (with @quentinatkinson.bsky.social) @nathumbehav.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41....
monocle.com/radio/shows/...
on State formation: grain, tax and writing - from research (with @quentinatkinson.bsky.social) @nathumbehav.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41....
monocle.com/radio/shows/...
Reposted by Kit Opie
Fascinating stuff.
The invention of agriculture (around 9,000 years ago) spurred the rise of early states? NO. Our research www.nature.com/articles/s41... (with @drqueue.bsky.social) in @nathumbehav.nature.com supports an alternative theory that States almost invariably formed in societies that grew cereal grains.
State formation across cultures and the role of grain, intensive agriculture, taxation and writing - Nature Human Behaviour
Opie and Atkinson conduct a global phylogenetic analysis of 868 cultures and find evidence indicating that cereal grain cultivation, not agricultural surplus, drove state formation. Their findings als...
www.nature.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Fascinating stuff.
Reposted by Kit Opie
'It may feel worlds apart, but the challenges and choices facing states today have been playing out since the dawn of the earliest states, thousands of years ago.'
Dr @kitopie.bsky.social (@bristolantharch.bsky.social) writes in a new piece for The Conversation
theconversation.com/the-real-rea...
Dr @kitopie.bsky.social (@bristolantharch.bsky.social) writes in a new piece for The Conversation
theconversation.com/the-real-rea...
The real reason states first emerged thousands of years ago – new research
New findings add weight to the theory that states didn’t just spring up from any kind of farming – it had to be grain.
theconversation.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:07 AM
'It may feel worlds apart, but the challenges and choices facing states today have been playing out since the dawn of the earliest states, thousands of years ago.'
Dr @kitopie.bsky.social (@bristolantharch.bsky.social) writes in a new piece for The Conversation
theconversation.com/the-real-rea...
Dr @kitopie.bsky.social (@bristolantharch.bsky.social) writes in a new piece for The Conversation
theconversation.com/the-real-rea...
Reposted by Kit Opie
Here’s @theconversation.com piece accompanying the recent paper by Kit and colleague. Check it out👇🏽
We (with @drqueue.bsky.social) explain the process in @uk.theconversation.com theconversation.com/the-real-rea....
November 27, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Here’s @theconversation.com piece accompanying the recent paper by Kit and colleague. Check it out👇🏽
Initial work on this project funded by @leverhulme.ac.uk.
The invention of agriculture (around 9,000 years ago) spurred the rise of early states? NO. Our research www.nature.com/articles/s41... (with @drqueue.bsky.social) in @nathumbehav.nature.com supports an alternative theory that States almost invariably formed in societies that grew cereal grains.
State formation across cultures and the role of grain, intensive agriculture, taxation and writing - Nature Human Behaviour
Opie and Atkinson conduct a global phylogenetic analysis of 868 cultures and find evidence indicating that cereal grain cultivation, not agricultural surplus, drove state formation. Their findings als...
www.nature.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Initial work on this project funded by @leverhulme.ac.uk.
The current discussion around tax would benefit from a look back in time don't you think? @meadwaj.bsky.social @paulmason.bsky.social @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
Tax the rich to help the poor? That’s certain NOT how states originally emerged. People were forced to grow grain because it was eminently taxable. Those taxes were then used to construct extreme hierarchies with the rich at the top. Writing was used to record taxes and build their institutions.
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 PM
The current discussion around tax would benefit from a look back in time don't you think? @meadwaj.bsky.social @paulmason.bsky.social @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
Tax the rich to help the poor? That’s certain NOT how states originally emerged. People were forced to grow grain because it was eminently taxable. Those taxes were then used to construct extreme hierarchies with the rich at the top. Writing was used to record taxes and build their institutions.
November 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Tax the rich to help the poor? That’s certain NOT how states originally emerged. People were forced to grow grain because it was eminently taxable. Those taxes were then used to construct extreme hierarchies with the rich at the top. Writing was used to record taxes and build their institutions.
Our research shows strong evidence to support James Scott's view of the origin of the state @lukekemp.bsky.social, as you discuss in your great book Goliath's Curse.
The invention of agriculture (around 9,000 years ago) spurred the rise of early states? NO. Our research www.nature.com/articles/s41... (with @drqueue.bsky.social) in @nathumbehav.nature.com supports an alternative theory that States almost invariably formed in societies that grew cereal grains.
State formation across cultures and the role of grain, intensive agriculture, taxation and writing - Nature Human Behaviour
Opie and Atkinson conduct a global phylogenetic analysis of 868 cultures and find evidence indicating that cereal grain cultivation, not agricultural surplus, drove state formation. Their findings als...
www.nature.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Our research shows strong evidence to support James Scott's view of the origin of the state @lukekemp.bsky.social, as you discuss in your great book Goliath's Curse.
Grain, tax and the birth of states. Great piece by @chrisnsimms.bsky.social www.newscientist.com/article/2505... in @newscientist.com on our research rdcu.be/eRGzT (with @drqueue.bsky.social) in @nathumbehav.nature.com. Understanding the origins of tax @newsagents.bsky.social for the budget.
Easily taxed grains were crucial to the birth of the first states
The cultivation of wheat, barley and maize, which are easily stored and taxed, seems to have led to the emergence of large societies, rather than agriculture generally
www.newscientist.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Grain, tax and the birth of states. Great piece by @chrisnsimms.bsky.social www.newscientist.com/article/2505... in @newscientist.com on our research rdcu.be/eRGzT (with @drqueue.bsky.social) in @nathumbehav.nature.com. Understanding the origins of tax @newsagents.bsky.social for the budget.
Reposted by Kit Opie
Congratulations to our own, @kitopie.bsky.social, and his colleague on this new @nathumbehav.nature.com paper on the role of cereal grains in the creation of early states! 🙌👏
Clink on the post below to access and enjoy 👇
Clink on the post below to access and enjoy 👇
The invention of agriculture (around 9,000 years ago) spurred the rise of early states? NO. Our research www.nature.com/articles/s41... (with @drqueue.bsky.social) in @nathumbehav.nature.com supports an alternative theory that States almost invariably formed in societies that grew cereal grains.
State formation across cultures and the role of grain, intensive agriculture, taxation and writing - Nature Human Behaviour
Opie and Atkinson conduct a global phylogenetic analysis of 868 cultures and find evidence indicating that cereal grain cultivation, not agricultural surplus, drove state formation. Their findings als...
www.nature.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Congratulations to our own, @kitopie.bsky.social, and his colleague on this new @nathumbehav.nature.com paper on the role of cereal grains in the creation of early states! 🙌👏
Clink on the post below to access and enjoy 👇
Clink on the post below to access and enjoy 👇
The invention of agriculture (around 9,000 years ago) spurred the rise of early states? NO. Our research www.nature.com/articles/s41... (with @drqueue.bsky.social) in @nathumbehav.nature.com supports an alternative theory that States almost invariably formed in societies that grew cereal grains.
State formation across cultures and the role of grain, intensive agriculture, taxation and writing - Nature Human Behaviour
Opie and Atkinson conduct a global phylogenetic analysis of 868 cultures and find evidence indicating that cereal grain cultivation, not agricultural surplus, drove state formation. Their findings als...
www.nature.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:11 AM
The invention of agriculture (around 9,000 years ago) spurred the rise of early states? NO. Our research www.nature.com/articles/s41... (with @drqueue.bsky.social) in @nathumbehav.nature.com supports an alternative theory that States almost invariably formed in societies that grew cereal grains.
Reposted by Kit Opie
My colleague Quentin Atkinson wrote this piece - How Not To Run a University. It is an insanely good read about how managerialism is destroying universities.
Make time for it. Talk about it. Share it.
quentinatkinson.substack.com/s/how-not-to...
Make time for it. Talk about it. Share it.
quentinatkinson.substack.com/s/how-not-to...
How not to run a university | Quentin’s Substack | Quentin Atkinson | Substack
A case study of one university’s managerial misadventures, why it is happening and what we can do about it. Click to read Quentin’s Substack, by Quentin Atkinson, a Substack publication. Launched a mo...
quentinatkinson.substack.com
July 19, 2025 at 8:54 AM
My colleague Quentin Atkinson wrote this piece - How Not To Run a University. It is an insanely good read about how managerialism is destroying universities.
Make time for it. Talk about it. Share it.
quentinatkinson.substack.com/s/how-not-to...
Make time for it. Talk about it. Share it.
quentinatkinson.substack.com/s/how-not-to...
Reposted by Kit Opie
🗨️ "According to these findings, opportunity in England is determined by inherited circumstances more so than compared to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland."
What does the OECD's new measure of inequality say about the state of opportunity in the UK? ⤵️
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
What does the OECD's new measure of inequality say about the state of opportunity in the UK? ⤵️
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
New evidence on international inequality of opportunity - how does the UK rank? - The Sutton Trust
A new OECD measure offers insights into the state of opportunity in the UK.
www.suttontrust.com
September 25, 2025 at 9:55 AM
🗨️ "According to these findings, opportunity in England is determined by inherited circumstances more so than compared to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland."
What does the OECD's new measure of inequality say about the state of opportunity in the UK? ⤵️
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
What does the OECD's new measure of inequality say about the state of opportunity in the UK? ⤵️
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
Reposted by Kit Opie
✍️"It’s striking and somewhat depressing that so many of those providing commentary on the issues affecting British people’s lives – columnists, talking heads and podcasters – are from a private school background."
@carlcullinane.bsky.social in @theguardian.com 👇
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
@carlcullinane.bsky.social in @theguardian.com 👇
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This news just in: we hoped the middle- and upper-class capture of the media would lessen. It’s got worse | Carl Cullinane
Since our last survey, we find more columnists, podcasters and executives are from privileged backgrounds. That’s too narrow a segment of society, says Carl Cullinane, director of research and policy ...
www.theguardian.com
September 18, 2025 at 12:06 PM
✍️"It’s striking and somewhat depressing that so many of those providing commentary on the issues affecting British people’s lives – columnists, talking heads and podcasters – are from a private school background."
@carlcullinane.bsky.social in @theguardian.com 👇
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
@carlcullinane.bsky.social in @theguardian.com 👇
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Tax wealth now!
🚨 NEW: Britain’s most powerful people are still 5x more likely to have been privately educated than the general population.
Our brand-new research reveals that jobs in the media, business, charity, creative and public sectors remain dominated by those from private schools ⤵️🧵
Our brand-new research reveals that jobs in the media, business, charity, creative and public sectors remain dominated by those from private schools ⤵️🧵
September 18, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Tax wealth now!
Tax wealth now!
Hello Bluesky 👋
If you want to find members of the Sutton Trust team on Bluesky, use our starter pack!
Follow our team: go.bsky.app/D2CHsRr
If you want to find members of the Sutton Trust team on Bluesky, use our starter pack!
Follow our team: go.bsky.app/D2CHsRr
September 18, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Tax wealth now!
Reposted by Kit Opie
Starbucks CEO pay: $96 MILLION
Starbucks worker pay: $15,000
Coca-Cola CEO pay: $28 MILLION
Coca-Cola worker pay: $14,000
CEOs used to make like 20x the average worker.
In 2024, the average CEO earned 632x more.
The system is rigged.
Starbucks worker pay: $15,000
Coca-Cola CEO pay: $28 MILLION
Coca-Cola worker pay: $14,000
CEOs used to make like 20x the average worker.
In 2024, the average CEO earned 632x more.
The system is rigged.
August 28, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Starbucks CEO pay: $96 MILLION
Starbucks worker pay: $15,000
Coca-Cola CEO pay: $28 MILLION
Coca-Cola worker pay: $14,000
CEOs used to make like 20x the average worker.
In 2024, the average CEO earned 632x more.
The system is rigged.
Starbucks worker pay: $15,000
Coca-Cola CEO pay: $28 MILLION
Coca-Cola worker pay: $14,000
CEOs used to make like 20x the average worker.
In 2024, the average CEO earned 632x more.
The system is rigged.
Reposted by Kit Opie
Physical copies of this 71-chapter tome now exist. Do encourage your library to buy a copy…also doubles as excellent door stop! Co-edited with Jamie Tehrani and @rachkendal.bsky.social. @oxunipress.bsky.social @durhamanthropology.bsky.social
August 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Physical copies of this 71-chapter tome now exist. Do encourage your library to buy a copy…also doubles as excellent door stop! Co-edited with Jamie Tehrani and @rachkendal.bsky.social. @oxunipress.bsky.social @durhamanthropology.bsky.social