ACROSS ONE OF ASIA'S MOST EXTRAORDINARY LANDSCAPES, EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY AND NOMADIC LIFE.

The Gobi Desert is one of Asia's most distinctive geographical regions, an immense landscape of mountains, rocky plains and desert expanses that has shaped human activity for centuries. Often associated with the great nomadic traditions of Mongolia, the region has a history closely connected with horses, livestock, trade and the movement of people across vast distances.

The Anthropogeos team spent 11 days travelling across the Gobi, seeking to understand the distinctive character of this environment and the relationship between its geography and the people who inhabit it. The expedition explored how the challenges of an arid climate, vast distances and limited natural resources have influenced traditional ways of life. It also considered the historical importance of the region and its association with the horse cultures that helped shape the history of the Eurasian steppes.

Through this project, we examine the enduring relationship between people and landscape, and how traditional lifestyles have adapted to one of the most demanding environments in Asia.

AN EXPLORATION OF THE PEOPLE WHO INHABIT THE WORLD'S COLDEST CONTINENT, AND THE EXTRAORDINARY CONDITIONS IN WHICH THEY LIVE AND WORK.

Antarctica occupies a unique position in the human story. Despite being one of the largest landmasses on Earth, it has no permanent indigenous population and remains one of the most isolated and inhospitable environments on the planet.

Yet Antarctica is not entirely without human inhabitants. Scientists, researchers, engineers and support personnel spend extended periods living and working in isolated research stations, forming temporary communities in an environment defined by extreme temperatures, geographical isolation and challenging living conditions.

In January 2020, marking 200 years since the commonly recognised discovery of Antarctica, the Anthropogeos team spent 21 days on the continent investigating this unusual form of human settlement. Who are the people who choose to live and work in such an environment? How do temporary communities develop in a place without permanent settlement? And what does life in Antarctica reveal about humanity's ability to adapt to even the most extreme environments?

This project examines the human dimension of Antarctica, exploring the relationship between people, isolation and the last great wilderness on Earth.

TWO GREAT MOUNTAIN REGIONS. DIFFERENT HISTORIES, CULTURES AND LANGUAGES. A SHARED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MOUNTAINS.

Mountains have always played an important role in shaping human societies. Their geographical isolation, challenging climates and distinctive landscapes have influenced the development of local communities, cultural identities and traditional ways of life.

The Caucasus and the Alps provide particularly interesting examples of how human societies develop in mountainous environments. Although separated by considerable geographical distance, both regions are home to communities with long histories of adapting to life among some of Europe's highest mountain ranges.

The Anthropogeos team travelled through Dagestan, Azerbaijan and Switzerland to explore these similarities and differences, with particular attention to the Lezgin people and the highland communities of Europe. The project considers how geography has influenced settlement patterns, cultural traditions, languages and social relationships. It also examines the extent to which mountain communities share common experiences despite their different historical and cultural backgrounds.

By comparing the Caucasus and the Alps, we seek to understand how the natural environment can influence cultural development and contribute to the preservation of distinctive regional identities.

EXPLORING THE SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF ONE OF CENTRAL AMERICA'S MOST DISTINCTIVE TRADITIONAL MARKETS.

Markets are much more than places where goods are bought and sold. Across the world, they function as centres of social interaction, cultural exchange and economic activity, often reflecting the traditions and identities of the communities that surround them. The first instalment of Anthropogeos' Markets project takes us to Santo Tomás Chichicastenango in Guatemala, home to one of Central America's most remarkable traditional markets.

The market provides an opportunity to observe the continuing importance of Maya culture in contemporary Guatemalan society. Its colourful stalls, traditional textiles, agricultural produce and everyday commercial exchanges reveal the relationship between local traditions and modern economic life. Through direct observation of the market and its surrounding community, the project explores how traditional trading environments operate, the role they play in everyday life and the ways in which cultural practices are maintained across generations.

Chichicastenango offers a fascinating perspective on the relationship between commerce, identity and cultural continuity in modern Central America.

FROM CENTRAL AMERICA TO CENTRAL ASIA: DISCOVERING THE IMPORTANCE OF TRADITIONAL MARKETS IN UZBEK SOCIETY.

Continuing the Markets documentary series, Anthropogeos travels to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, to explore Chorsu Bazaar, one of the city's best-known traditional trading centres. Situated in a region historically associated with the great trading networks of Central Asia, Tashkent has long occupied an important position at the crossroads of commerce and cultural exchange.

Chorsu Bazaar offers a fascinating insight into this heritage. Its distinctive architecture, traditional food stalls and extensive range of goods provide a window into everyday Uzbek life and the commercial traditions that remain important to the city. The project explores the role of the bazaar as more than simply a marketplace. It is also a place of social interaction, cultural continuity and economic activity, connecting producers, traders and consumers from different parts of the region.

By examining the daily life of Chorsu Bazaar, we consider how traditional markets have adapted to changing economic and social conditions while retaining their importance within contemporary urban society.

AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WINE, GEOGRAPHY, AGRICULTURE AND SOCIETY IN SOUTH AMERICA.

Argentina and Chile are among the most important wine-producing countries in South America. Their wine industries have developed in close relationship with distinctive geographical conditions, regional identities and historical patterns of agricultural development. From the vineyards of Mendoza, situated in the shadow of the Andes, to the wine-producing valleys of Chile, the industry provides an interesting lens through which to examine the relationship between people and their environment.

The Anthropogeos winemaking project explores how geography, climate, altitude and access to water influence agricultural production and the development of regional economies. Beyond the cultivation of grapes and the production of wine, the project considers the wider social and cultural importance of winemaking. It examines how an agricultural industry can influence local communities, shape regional identities and become an integral part of everyday economic and cultural life.

By exploring Argentina and Chile comparatively, we seek to understand how a shared agricultural tradition can develop differently across distinct geographical and cultural environments.