Researchers find evidence of ancient democracies from the Americas to Europe and Asia

NPR | By Ailsa Chang,

Mia Venkat, Tinbete Ermyas

Published March 19, 2026 at 4:03 PM EDT

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with archaeologist Gary Feinman about new findings that show democracy existed throughout the ancient world and was not exclusive to Mediterranean Europe.

Ailsa Chang

Ailsa Chang is an award-winning journalist who hosts All Things Considered along with Ari Shapiro, Audie Cornish, and Mary Louise Kelly. She landed in public radio after practicing law for a few years.

See stories by Ailsa Chang

Mia Venkat

See stories by Mia Venkat

Tinbete Ermyas

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

Federal student loans will move to Treasury, further shrinking Education Department

Cory Turner

The Trump administration announced a three-phase transition that will eventually include management of most federal student loans as well as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
How an act of civil disobedience in 1978 Denver helped propel disability rights

Joseph Shapiro

On July 5-6, 1978, on a busy downtown Denver street, 19 people in wheelchairs blocked public buses--which didn't have wheelchair lifts--to demand access to public transit.
Wartime compounds the challenges of reporting on the people of Iran

Mary Louise Kelly, Arezou Rezvani

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to Reporter and Senior Editor Arezou Rezvani about the impact the war is having on Iranians and people in the surrounding area.
NPR News

Planned Parenthood chapter settles with EEOC over treatment of white employees

Andrea Hsu

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says Planned Parenthood of Illinois will pay $500,000 to end an investigation that found the organization's DEI practices violated federal civil rights laws
What levers can the U.S. pull to control gas prices?

Camila Domonoske

The global oil trade is remarkably flexible. But key solutions that should be able to address the current oil crisis – like reserves, alternate routes, and boosts in production — are constrained.