Apocalypse: How Catastrophe Transformed Our World and Can Forge New Futures

Journalist and Science correspondent Wade looks at apocalypses through the lens of archaeology. She defines an apocalypse as “a rapid, collective loss that fundamentally changes a society’s way of life and sense of identity,” a broad view that encompasses natural disasters exacerbated by climate change (e.g., flooding or drought), natural phenomena such as El Niño and diseases, and distinctly human catastrophes including colonialism and slavery. Wade imagines the catastrophes, their effects on people, and the aftermath and describes the discoveries and techniques that present-day archaeologists use to uncover and recreate past events. Cities affected by apocalypses often rebuild to reflect their new conditions, and Wade includes plenty of examples of the societies that came into being post apocalypse. The book is global in focus and includes both ancient and modern settlements among its examples, including Wade’s hometown of Mexico City, which was affected by COVID-19 and flooding. She stresses the need for societies to adapt and change when apocalypses occur.