The Last Keepers of Ancient Traditions: A Look at Eliot Stein’s New Book

What does it feel like to be the last person who still knows an ancient skill? BBC travel writer Eliot Stein explores this question in his book Custodians of Wonder: Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions and the Last People Keeping Them Alive (2024). His work shines a light on people who carry rare traditions that have survived for hundreds or even thousands of years.

The idea for the book began 20 years ago in Burano, Italy. Stein was walking through its colourful streets when he met a 90-year-old blind woman. She told him she was one of the last people who could make Burano lace. This lace, famous for its beauty and detail, was once worn by royalty and sold for huge amounts of money. She explained her craft as “embroidering the air,” showing how delicate and unique the work truly is.

Stein was struck by how a tradition that shaped an entire island could disappear with the last few people who knew it. Burano lace was once so valuable that it was smuggled across borders. It was a symbol of pride for generations of women who perfected the craft. Seeing it fade made Stein wonder what other traditions around the world were at risk of vanishing.

This moment inspired him to travel across five continents to meet people holding onto ancient practices. His book now shares 10 powerful stories. One of them is about the last Inca bridge master in Peru. Each year, he leads the rebuilding of the last remaining Inca grass bridge. The bridge is woven entirely by hand, using techniques passed down for centuries. The work is difficult and takes a whole community, but it keeps history alive in a living form.

Another story highlights a woman who can turn metal into a mirror using methods that have been used for generations. These people are not just craft workers—they are protectors of human history. Their skills show how rich and diverse culture can be when knowledge is passed from one generation to the next.

Stein’s book reminds us that traditions are not just old stories. They are living pieces of identity, creativity, and memory. When these last custodians are gone, the world loses something precious—knowledge that cannot be replaced by machines or modern shortcuts.

Through simple storytelling and deep respect for these keepers of culture, Stein teaches us that ancient traditions still matter today. His book becomes a guardian in itself, preserving these stories so that they will not be forgotten.

In a fast-moving world, Custodians of Wonder encourages readers to look back, appreciate handmade work, and understand the people who keep history alive with their hands and hearts.