Archaeologist Harald Meller argues that humanity, contrary to popular belief, has not been irrevocably fated to engage in conflict. He asserts that the majority of human existence has been marked by cooperation rather than war. Meller highlights that the narrative of human history is skewed towards conflict, particularly in the wake of contemporary wars such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which paints a grim picture of human nature.

Meller points out that throughout 99 percent of human evolution, people lived without warfare. While individual acts of violence did occur, the prehistory of humanity was not characterized by universal war. This perspective challenges the predominant narratives found in historical texts, from ancient epics to modern popular culture, that often portray conflict as an inherent aspect of humanity.

The interview raises important questions about the implications of viewing human history through a lens of violence and war. By reconsidering the historical record and emphasizing the long periods of peace and cooperation, Meller invites a re-evaluation of contemporary attitudes towards conflict and suggests that peace may be more intrinsic to humanity than often assumed.