Dame Mary Beard, a prominent Cambridge University historian, has called for a shift in the way history is taught in schools, arguing that the current focus on dates and battles risks alienating children from the subject. Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Beard emphasized the importance of engaging students with stories that reveal how ordinary people lived, rather than concentrating primarily on rote learning of historical facts.

Beard described the prevailing approach as “bloke-ish history,” centered on memorizing key events and military engagements. While acknowledging the necessity of factual accuracy—such as knowing the correct year of Julius Caesar’s assassination—she argued that this should not dominate early history education. Instead, she advocated for starting with narratives that foster a personal connection to the past. Citing graffiti found in Pompeii, including an inscription that reads “Atimetus got me pregnant,” she illustrated how such details can bring history to life for young learners.

In addition to reforms in teaching, Beard called for museums to adopt a more tactile approach to exhibits in order to deepen visitors’ connections with historical objects. Reflecting on a childhood visit to the British Museum, she recalled the impact of a curator removing a 4,000-year-old piece of bread from its case so she could see it up close, describing the experience as akin to “close to time travel.” She argued that curators and academics should aim to make museum artefacts more accessible, especially to children, as a means of fostering a stronger link to the past.

At the same time, Beard acknowledged the need to balance engagement with conservation. She noted that unrestricted handling could damage precious items—such as ancient leather shoes—which are vulnerable to deterioration if touched frequently. The practice of restricting physical contact with exhibits, she said, dates back to the late 19th century, coinciding with the broader opening of museums to the general public. Prior to that, when museum access was limited to elites, visitors were often allowed to handle objects directly.

Dame Mary Beard’s comments highlight an ongoing debate about how best to inspire interest in history among young people, advocating for a more inclusive and immersive experience that extends beyond memorizing dates and facts.