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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

The Essay Podcast

The Essay

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.

The Essay: It Talks

The Essay: It Talks: Episode 1: Cows and Shells

It Talks

Episode 1

Episode 1: Cows and Shells

Cows and Shells

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Keith Hart on the origins of money as part of an economy of living persons and things.

Prof Keith Hart explores the origins of money as part of an economy of living persons and things.

"Money. You don't know where it's been,
But you put it where your mouth is.
And it talks." (Money, by Dana Gioia) 

The history of money stretches back some 11,000 years. There have been certain key moments in its development and each essay tells their story and the resonance that these revolutionary blips have had ever since. 

1. Cows - round about 9,000BC cattle were first domesticated. Soon after they became units of exchange and thus the idea of money was born: cows became cash on legs. And they still are - in certain parts of Africa commodities (especially brides) are priced in cows. Professor Keith Hart explores the early examples of money as part of an economy of living persons and things.

Series Producer: Paul Kobrak.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Series exploring key developments in the history of money

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Episode 1: Cows and Shells

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