And My Trowel

It's the 25th episode of And My Trowel, and to celebrate, Ash and Tilly decided to have a battle of wits in order to see who could remember the most from the last 24 episodes. There can only be one! (Or can there...?) Links https://discord.com/invite/HMmrsAtqP3 Contact Email: andmytrowel@gmail.com Instagram: @‌and.my.trowel Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.arch...

Ash and Tilly are about to embark on their biggest quest yet - trying to find archaeological evidence for the origins of magic! But how can you identify magic in the archaeological record? Listen in to hear a discussion about what defines a wand, how to tell if someone’s used magic, and what the link is between witches and beer. Links Intangible and tangible knowledge in Open-Air Museums (article)...

This episode, Ash and Tilly are on a bit of a side quest that becomes much bigger than they ever thought possible, as they try to help a student from Lothlorien University critique the concept of a “damsel in distress” using gender archaeology. But what exactly is gender archaeology? What’s the difference between feminist and gender archaeology? And why do we need it? Listen in to find out! Links...

It’s part two of a discussion all about hoards! Ash and Tilly are joined by Dr Adrián Maldonado in their quest to identify a hoard of objects recently stumbled across in the middle of the redevelopment of Khazad-dûm . But how do you identify a hoard? What kind of research can be done on them? Are were Viking silver rings just a medieval form of friendship bracelet? Listen it to find out! Links Alm...

Deep in the heart of Khazad-dûm , changes are being made. Caverns are being restored, bridges are being rebuilt, and there’s even plans for a new shopping centre… But when a huge hoard of objects is discovered in a hidden chamber, Ash and Tilly are called in to investigate! And helping them in their quest is Dr Adrián Maldonado - archaeologist, author, and expert on hoards. Together, they discuss...

After the physical labour of episode 19, Ash and Tilly decide to put their interpretative skills to work in this episode, and discuss how to research a certain magical mirror that has been dropped in their office. To do that, they chat about the history of mirrors, the symbolism of mirrors, and try to work out how exactly you would classify a magical mirror. Links Mirrors in Literature Paper on mi...

In episode nineteen, Tilly and Ash accidentally volunteer to help out the Butterbur Bree Historical Society with recording their most famous inn, the Prancing Pony. Armed with a measuring tape and a frosty pint, they go about discussing the biggest trope in all fantasy: the Tavern! Links Hall, T. (2018) Tropes and taverns, oh my! , BOOK RIOT Survey and recording at Historic Environment Scotland He...

It’s time for part two of our discussion with forensic anthropologist, osteoarchaeologist, and conservator Jessica van Dam, as we discuss the issue of vampire teeth. Are there archaeological examples of vampires in the real world? (Spoiler: yes) Can we look at bones to see what happened to that person in life? (Spoiler: yes) Do vampire teeth and hair continue to grow once they become vampires? (Sp...

In their latest quest, Tilly and Ash have to deal with quite a delicate situation, as construction of the latest housing project by Helsing Homes uncovers the burials of possible vampire hunters, including bags of vampire teeth… Luckily, they can enlist the help of special guest Jessica van Dam - an ex-osteoarchaeologist who researched teeth in particular. Together, they discuss the difference bet...

Are you ready for another use(wear)ful episode? Then listen to part two of Ash and Tilly’s chat with special guest Dr Amber Roy, as they tackle the issue of how to classify a polished stone axe from the Bazkardum Society of Dwarfish History. How long have axes been used in human history? How can you tell what an axe was used for? And why is Tilly waiting for a carrier pigeon? Tune in to find out!...

It’s time for an axe-tremely axe-citing episode! Ash and Tilly have to deal with a tricky situation over at the Bazkardum Society of Dwarfish History, who want to know how to classify a recently donated polished stone axe. Luckily, they have help from special guest Dr Amber Roy - experimental archaeologist and microwear analyst who specialises in prehistoric axes. In this first of two episodes, th...

Ouch! In episode 14, Tilly and Ash confront the Magisterium of Malintent, the Grand Council of Dark Lords to talk about their power dynamics and how the archaeological record isn’t always as clear cut when it comes to understanding hierarchy and power. Links DNA Study of female warrior grave (Birka) Elven Quest "Dark Lord" in The Encyclopedia of Fantasy (eds. John Clute & John Grant: First St. Mar...

What do you do when you encounter two wizards throwing balls of fire at each other? Soothe them with archaeological theory of course! In this episode, Ash and Tilly have a slightly different task ahead of them as they discuss the history of processual versus post-processual archaeology, all in an attempt to deal with the intricate politics of academic research. Links Michael Shanks and Ian Hodder...

In episode 12, like archaeological paladins, Tilly and Ash have been given a divine quest: find the Cailleach of Celtic Myth and…deliver her washing. Oh. On their journey, they discuss the best strategies to locate the ancient hag and ask the tough archaeological question: what even is a landscape? Links Routledge Guide to Landscape Studies (Google books) Landscape Archaeology (Chapter in Encyclop...

Time for something completely different this episode, as Ash and Tilly discuss their plans for the upcoming year. Spoiler alert: it includes live shows, a readalong, and more exciting quests! Listen in to find out more. Links: Discworld Podcast: The Truth Shall Make Ye Fret Austen Podcast: Pod and Prejudice Tolkien Podcast: The Tolkien Professor Upcoming archaeology fiction: Even If We’re Broken A...

We’re back for part two of our discussion with our zooarchaeological expert guest Alex Fitzpatrick, to talk all about dragons. There’s a tricky situation on our hands this month, but luckily we can chat with Alex about all the different methods possible for investigating it. Tune in to hear all about how to date a burial, whether dragons are classified as ‘sentient’, and why you should never get o...

In this episode Ash and Tilly are joined by zooarchaeologist Alex Fitzpatrick to talk all about the mythology of dragons. Why do dragons pop up in nearly every culture around the world? How has their mythology developed over time? And what does any of this have to do with orangutans wielding sticks? Tune in to part 1 of our two-part special to find out! Links Archaeoanimals episode on fossils and...

In this episode, Ash and Tilly delve into the completed scenarios surrounding Time Travel. How would you react if you colleagues brought you back a box of objects fresh from the past? How would you work out if they are the genuine article? And why do scientists like to bombard materials so much? Tune in to find out! Links Forgery in the ancient world Richelieu Venus Transcripts For rough transcrip...

In episode seven, Tilly and Ash go strider-ing into the heart of the archaeological problem and continue their tavern-talk with archaeobotanist Genoveva Dimova. They ask the burgeoning questions: how would you sample an Ent? What is dendrochronology? And do Ents have teeth? Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/7 Contact Email: andmytrowel@gmai...

In episode six, Tilly and Ash need some help with a commission from the Hoggle-Bush Historical Society of Fanghorn Forest. With special guest, archaeobotanist Genoveva Dimova, they stumble into the battlefields of Isengard to ask the question: how do you identify an Ent in the archaeological record? Links Gen's Website Gen’s Instagram: @‌gen_dimova Pre-order Gen's book! Gen’s Goodreads Dendrochron...

It’s part two of Ash and Tilly’s werewolf quest, along with special guest and ancient dog specialist David Ian Howe. Together, they continue to try and interpret the remains of what might be an ancient werewolf burial ground, talking along the way about deviant burials, perspectivism, and sheep that can drive cars. Links Viveiros de Castro, E. “Cosmological Deixis and Amerindian Perspectivism” Dav...

For their next quest, Ash and Tilly need to call in some help, because they’ll be chatting all about werewolves. Luckily, they are joined by special guest David Ian Howe, an archaeologist who specializes in the relationships between ancient humans and dogs. Together, they will try to interpret the remains of what might be an ancient werewolf burial ground, talking along the way about deviant buria...

It’s time for a new adventure! In this episode, Tilly and Ash talk about spooky spectres, grave goods, and object ownership. How would you interact with a disapproving ghost? What do you do with their grave goods if they claim to still own them? And who does the past belong to anyway? Roll for perception, tune in and find out! Links Chris Tilley, Webb Keane, Susanne Kuechler, Mike Rowlands, Patric...

It's time for our first quest! In this episode, Tilly and Ash discuss the dilemma of how to categorize golems. Are they classified as objects? Or does the theory of object agency come into play? Also, what is the theory of object agency...? And what does all this have to do with shell necklaces and robots? Listen in to find out! Links Shriver-Rice, M. 2009. “Materiality, Objects, and Agency: Examp...

In this very first episode, we introduce you to two intrepid archaeological explorers who are venturing forth into the realms of fantasy: Ash and Tilly. Learn a bit about who they are, what they do, and how they ended up in this bizarre situation! Links Archaeo Bookclub linktree : https://linktr.ee/archaeobookclub Contact Email: andmytrowel@gmail.com Instagram: @and .my.trowel ArchPodNet APN Websi...