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

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