The Royal Institution

How Geology Built Civilisation | with Anjana Khatwa | Part 1

Anjana Khatwa’s Royal Institution talk introduces her debut book, *The Whispers of Rock*, which argues that the very stones beneath our feet have forged civilizations, economies, and belief systems. She weaves personal anecdotes—from Dorset cliffs to a temple rock in her hometown—with global case studies such as Petra’s 500‑million‑year‑old sandstone and Mount Fuji’s volcanic heritage, illustrating how geology underpins architecture, trade routes, and spiritual practice. The lecture unpacks the rock cycle, contrasting sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic formations, and shows how these processes have directly shaped human history. In Petra, ancient Nabateans carved facades into sandstone whose layered quartz grains tell a story of ancient rivers and mineral‑rich groundwater. Khatwa also highlights Indigenous vision quests at Utah’s arches, where rocks serve as portals for communal wisdom, underscoring that Indigenous knowledge operates as a form of long‑standing geological science. Memorable moments include Khatwa’s declaration that “curiosity and a vivid imagination” drive geologists, her mother’s offering of a sacred temple rock named Mataji, and her observation that Earth Day conversations often omit rocks despite Earth being fundamentally stone. These anecdotes reinforce her call to re‑engage emotionally and spiritually with the planet’s lithic foundation. The broader implication is clear: policymakers, educators, and businesses must integrate geological awareness with cultural narratives to foster sustainable resource use, heritage tourism, and climate resilience. By reframing rocks as active participants in human stories, societies can cultivate deeper stewardship of the planet’s most enduring asset.