And My Trowel

In this episode, Ash and Tilly continue their deep dig into The Hobbit, focusing on the sedentary settlement of Hobbiton! They discuss how nomadic versus settled societies are seen within the archaeological record and Tolkien's works, to get a better archaeological understanding of hobbit-holes! Who knew pantries were a hobbit’s equivalent of conspicuous consumption? Links From Foraging to Farming...

Ash and Tilly continue to plan their archaeological survey of The Hobbit, and finally manage to move past the map! Tune in to hear them discuss the importance of lineages in studying history, learn all about what field-walking is, and hear from some unexpected visitors… Other books mentioned: The Patriarchs (Angela Saini) The King’s Witches (Katie Foster) Links Asclepius Snake symbology Field Walk...

In this episode, Tilly and Ash finally delve into the world of The Hobbit, beginning with an overall archaeological survey of the world…or maybe just the map? Tune in to find out all about weird medieval animals, warrior women, and really the star of the episode, Thrór's map. Books mentioned: The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien) Links Window to the West: Culture and Environment in the Scottish Gàidhealtach...

It’s time for a bit of a breather, as Ash and Tilly prepare themselves for a longer-term project funded by the Nextian Universe Research Institute! Tune in to hear their plans for future episodes, learn about the link between minotaurs and archaeology, and find out what is meant by the term “sorry Rachel”. Books mentioned: Thursday Next series (Jasper Fforde) Discworld series (Terry Pratchett) Bul...

Ash and Tilly continue their archaeological survey of the galaxy far, far away, examining the material culture and planetary landscapes that defines Star Wars. Together, they explore how different civilisations, from the ancient Jedi Order to the Galactic Empire, left their mark through distinctive artefacts, architecture, and technology. Don’t worry, Order 66 was not enforced for this episode! Bo...

Join Ash and Tilly as they travel where no man has gone before… no wait… wrong franchise! This episode, we jump into an archaeological survey of Star Wars! Listen to our two intrepid hosts ramble about their experiences watching and reading Star Wars, try to work out what VHS stands for, and slowly realise that this time they might really have bitten off more than they can chew(ie). Books mentione...

Unfortunately we couldn’t record an episode of And My Trowel this week, so instead we thought we’d travel back in time to the first ever conversation between Ash and Tilly! It's time for another journey into the past and this month Matilda will be chatting with Ashley Airey all about the development of candles. When were the earliest candles? What materials are candles made from and how do they af...

Ash and Tilly continue their discussion on archaeo-construction with experimental archaeologist and living historian Caroline Nicolay. Together, they outline the details of how to complete their quest of reconstructing a Fallohide seasonal settlement for the Anduin Fallohide Fellowship of Museums and Antiquity. Listen in to hear all about upside-down baskets, thatching (at a pinch), and why you ne...

It’s time to get out our plastering trowels out, because this episode Ash and Tilly are (re)joined by experimental archaeologist and archaeo-construction expert Caroline Nicolay. Together, the three tackle the quest of reconstructing a Fallohide (hunter-gatherer hobbit) seasonal home for the Anduin Fallohide Fellowship of Museums and Antiquity. But all is not as simple as it seems… Listen in to he...

In this second episode, Tilly and Ash continue their quest with archaeologist and potter, Emma Harrison, to catalogue the Pennykettle Dragon Sanctuary’s current collection of (alive) dragon figurines! Join them as they explore layers of archaeological clay, deep buckets of glaze, and ponder the question: ‘are you made of poo?’ Links The Myth of Prometheus Bogborn Website Bogborn instagram Contact...

This episode Ash and Tilly are scaling it down and looking at how to analyse tiny little clay dragons from the Pennykettle Dragon Sanctuary. The catch? They are alive! Which means that any destructive methods of analysis covered in previous episodes are no longer on the table. Luckily for our clay-ignorant duo, they are joined by archaeologist and professional potter Emma Harrison. Together, the t...

It’s part two of Ash and Tilly’s archaeological survey of the Discworld (as popularised through the written works of Sir Terry Pratchett), and if you thought Tilly had rambled enough in the last episode, you have underestimated her ability to spout information about this fantasy book series! Listen in to hear about the significance of material culture, the impact of belief systems, and why comedic...

The day has finally arrived, where Tilly can ramble on to her heart’s content about her obsession with Terry Pratchett’s writing, because Ash and Tilly are conducting an archaeological survey of the Discworld! Listen in to hear Ash frantically trying to keep her co-host on track and they navigate the landscapes and societies of the Disc, marvel at the complexity of the archaeological theory, and g...

While the APN takes a break this holiday season we’re using this opportunity to present you with other great content on the network. Please enjoy this episode of The Past Macabre! In this first of a two-part series, The Past Macabre travels back to Late Iron Age Britain before the Roman conquest to explore the world that shaped one of history’s most famous warrior queens: Boudica. Her story has be...

The APN is taking a holiday break. We’re using this opportunity to present you with something you may not have heard from another episode on the network. Tea Break Archaeology Ep 37: The Archaeology of Notebooks I hope that you have a writing utensil handy, because you’ll want to make some notes for this one! In this episode, Matilda takes a dive into the origins and archaeology of the simple note...

Ash and Tilly are back on The Continent, silver swords polished, potions brewed, and trowels at the ready! After mapping The Witcher’s wild landscapes, they turn their attention to the real treasures of the world: its people, societies, and material culture. Through swords, cities, and stories, they uncover layers of coexistence, conflict, and memory that define Sapkowski’s world. The Witcher Seri...

In this episode, Ash and Tilly set out on an archaeological survey across The Continent—the dark, layered world of the The Witcher! From the ruins of Kaer Morhen to the forests of Dol Blathanna, they explore how landscapes, material culture, and societies reveal the deeper histories beneath Andrzej Sapkowski’s Slavic-inspired fantasy universe. Join them as they dig into the Conjunction of the Sphe...

Ash and Tilly are back with art conservator and supernatural sleuth Jessica van Dam to finish unraveling the mystery of the haunted artefacts from the Jinu Preservation Society. From tiger-and-magpie paintings to suspiciously stylish hats, the trio dive deep into Korean demons, dokkaebi, and ghostly folklore—with a few detours into their favorite K-dramas. Expect myths, mayhem, and more giggles th...

Ash and Tilly are tasked with investigating a mysterious box from the Jinu Preservation Society, but one artefact might be possessed! Luckily, their on-call spooky specialist, art conservator J essica van Dam, is here to help. Together they explore Korean demons, dokkaebi, and gwisin to uncover the truth behind the eerie objects. Expect folklore, fun, and a few distractions (looking at you, carpet...

Tilly is a bit under the weather this week so we were not able to record an episode of And My Trowel. Luckily both of us are in another new show, so we thought we would share that with you instead! Listen in to the first episode of the Archaeo Book Club podcast! Join Tilly, Judith, and Ash as they wade into our June reading theme: Under the Sea . In this “field notes” discussion, we share our own...

In this slightly different episode, Ash and Tilly discuss the different ways that mental health is both affected by and perceived within archaeology and fantasy fiction. Tune in to hear their discussion on the importance of community, managing expectations, and how many archaeology-related puns they can stuff into a 30-minute episode. Links World Mental Health Day Article on crafting to alleviate...

It’s conference season! To prepare for an upcoming meeting of the Extremely Obvious and Regular Society of Wizards , Ash and Tilly discuss their conference experiences and all that these events entail. How would you put a stake in a vampire’s ramblings? Stop a werewolf from mooning over the buffet table? Prevent a debate between wizards from becoming too heated? Listen in to find out! Books mentio...

In part two, Ash and Tilly continue their quest to help The Karnithril Collegium of Wall Lore record the disappearing graffiti of Thar-Vael! With expert help from archaeological illustrator and visual science communicator, Jona Schlegal, the team define the meaning of graffiti and figure out the question: are dragon’s wings the mystical equivalent of on-site sun-blocking jackets? Links Jona’s Inst...

This episode, Ash and Tilly have a new quest from the Karnithril Collegium of Wall Lore to document vanishing graffiti. They are joined in their quest by archaeologist and visual science communicator Jona Schlegel, who shares her insight based on her previous research into graffiti along the Danube canal in Vienna. Together the three discuss those most pressing of questions: What actually is graff...

In part two of their Lembas Bread quest, Tilly and Ash continue their ingredient hunt with Caroline Nicolay (Pario Gallico) in order to help the Lembas Appreciation Society analyse the oldest existing sample of the explementary whey bread. The team continue their discussion around living history, food, and experiential archaeology, asking the big questions of: what is food waste? How can we break...