The Dirt Diaries

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! I am raising this episode from the grave (2025) and relaunching it for you all as I continue healing. It's perfect for October, as we are talking about ancient curses from the heart of Athens. Who was cursed? What did they inflict? And what does this tell us about the people in ancient Athens?-Stay curiousTravel with me, my socials, and more!https://beacons.ai...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! Now that we are in October, it's time to talk about some graves the media has termed "vampire burials." Did the Greco-Romans have vampires? What do these graves tell us about their communities, superstitions, and magical practices? And... should we call them deviant burials instead? We're also talking about the restless dead: who they were, why t...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! We are staying in Pompeii this week as we look at what may be the last offering left before the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. And new studies also show that the eruption wasn't the only thing going on! But while reports have always stated the eruption occurred on August 24, 79, is that true? Well, a charcoal finding may change that! For this, I'm bringing in the help...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! We've talked about the mysteries of Dionysus and his secret cult, so we're examining the evidence concerning an ancient goddess of Egypt: Isis. With new discoveries in Pompeii and Turkiye, we're talking about the secret initiation, festivals, her mythology, and more! What do we know? Who was initiated? And most importantly, would you join? Grab your my...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! Since new archaeological discoveries came out last year about ancient tattoos on an ice mummy from Siberia, I thought it was time to bring this season 1 episode to video! Ancient ink is super rare to find in the archaeological record, and we're covering a few instances today, including one of a monogram to Archangel Michael, I was inspired by the new report on...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! We are back for a bit for a redux of an episode from season 1. I was inspired to do so because during my recent trip to Bodrum in Turkiye, I saw these artifacts in person! We're talking gold, silver, copper, and of course...tin, breaking down what we have learned, testing, what the final port was, and how expensive this shipwreck was! Grab your scuba gear; we&...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! I was inspired by the new report coming out on the skeletal analysis of almost 4,000-year-old Egyptian princesses, showing evidence that they may have been trained in the weaponry they were later entombed with, so today we are diving into other cases of warrior women. We're talking about those who were found alongside weapons, those who may have inspired legen...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! We are staying in the realm of mythology, meeting reality as we talk about the famed Nike of Samothrace. This goddess announced victory in the past, but which battle was immortalized in marble on the Aegean island of Samothrace? We're diving in! Be sure to bring your chisels to get the drapery just right, as we talk about the Hellenistic masterpiece also known...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! I hope you brought a mirror or a reflective shield, because we are heading to the edge of the world to take a peek inside Medusa's lair. Her image was found at the base of a pillar of Heracles a few years ago. So what was the image of a gorgon doing in a place connected to mythology? Who put her here and why? At world's end, we are looking for the answers!...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! It is finally the time you all have been asking for: we are delving into the era of ancient Greek heroes and examining the helmets and shields available to Bronze Age warriors in the Aegean. And now that the full trailer is out, it's time we chatted about what we could have had. From me to you, I wish you all could see how incredible this time period is, and m...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! We are back in the tombs today to see what we have for three female rulers of Egypt: a mother who ensured Egypt would be there for her son to rule, a woman at the end of her family line, and one who has often been vilified for taking too much power from her step-son. Yes, we are talking about Merneith (dynasty I), Sobekneferu (dynasty XII), and Hatshepsut (dynasty...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! With baseball back, we are talking about how the ancients ensured their teams and favorite athletes would win. It's not just rally hats and cursing like a sailor; the ancients took it a step further by involving their gods when they wrote curse tablets to bind their competitors. What did they write? How graphic were these? And more importantly, did they work?...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! We are staying in Ur this week to discuss the oldest crash out we have on record! What happened to cause this? What broke the camel's back? And is this, in fact, an image of Ea-Nasir? We are talking all things hate mail and votive stares today, so bring your finest clay tablet as we talk the copper complaint of Ea-Nasir. -Stay curious! Travel with me, my socia...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! We are going on an ancient tour of sorts today as we analyze the evidence from the 16 graves at the Cemetery of Ur that Woolley termed royal. Who was buried here? Who were these tombs intended for? And what was found? Grab your shovel and notes, it's time to dig deeper into the Royal Cemetery of Ur. -Stay curious Travel with me, my socials, and more!https://be...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! We are analyzing the infamous words of the last pharaoh of Egypt. Did Cleopatra actually state that no man would find her tomb? Is this legit or a legend? And if so, when did it come about? We are trying to get to the bottom of this rumor that has seemingly become bigger than Cleopatra VII herself...But what do you think?-Stay curiousTravel with me, my socials, an...

Welcome back to Season 3 of the Dirt Diaries! Today, we are looking at what the 1999 cinematic masterpiece starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz got right in terms of ancient history, Egyptology, and more! From the curse of the Hom Dai, Imhotep, and the Book of the Dead, we are covering it all!-Stay Curious! Travel with me, my socials, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! In this final episode of the season, we are going over some of my top finds of the year before we shut the tomb of 2025! From ancient tattoos, new Mesopotamian myths, a sanctuary to Odysseus, and a new Egyptian prince, we are covering it all here! Out of all of them listed, which was your favorite? If it wasn't mentioned, drop it below! Of course, after I film...

How did the ancients protect themselves with pendants? What were some of these amulets of antiquity? Well, we're exploring a few today, including a scarab, seals of Solomon, Mjölnir, and more! With all the holiday commercials showing jewelry of today, what were people wearing millennia ago? While every kiss begins with Kay, to the ancients, it may have been more along the lines of every talism...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! Today, we are exploring the cave of skulls where ancient necromancies were believed to take place. What was found? What is necromancy? And could the ancient peoples actually raise the dead? Get ready for the Halloween episode with ghosts, spirits, scary stories, and more!-Stay curious Want more Dirt Diaries? Join patreon with all your history-loving friends! patre...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! Today, we are delving into an ancient Greek well in the heart of Athens that turned up ancient curses! Who was cursed? What did they inflict? And what does this tell us about the people in ancient Athens? Get ready for another spooky season episode as we dive into ancient curses, magic, the underworld, and more! -Stay curious Want more Dirt Diaries? Join patreon w...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries podcast! Today, as we welcome October, we are cracking open an ancient tomb to explore where archaeology and mythology meet! That's right, if you love Heracles or Greek Mythology this is the episode for you. From the labors of Heracles to the legends themselves, we are going into this Roman-era tomb that is slowly revealing its secrets. -Stay curious Want more...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! Today, we are getting into our war chariots to examine an ancient battle, one that pitted kings and empires against one another in the Bronze Age game of thrones. We are discussing armies, weapons, and the world's oldest peace treaty that emerged from this conflict. Who do you think won this round? As usual, I will be doing my make-up as I get ready with you a...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! It's almost Fall, which means the season of baking, cooking, and more is upon us! Now, if you were to bring an appetizer to a party or gathering, what would you serve? Some bread? Maybe some cheese and wine? Well, today we are crafting our own version of an ancient charcuterie! So gather around, bring your own snacks and drinks, and let's dive in! Which would you...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries. Today, we're exploring a secret room in the heart of an ancient villa that was preserved during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, known today as the Villa of the Mysteries, which may contain scenes of cultic activity. Is this room connected to initiation into the cult of Dionysus? You be the judge, as we also examine a find that was discovered 100 years later. Per...

Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! Crack open your mythology books because we are heading to the ancient temple to Artemis, which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world! We're talking about her temple, the goddess, Alexander the Great, and why her art looks so different here. For those who love ancient history, mythology, and more, this is the episode for you. -Stay curious Want more Dir...