ArchaeoAnimals

In this final episode of ArchaeoAnimals, Alex and Simona look back to over five years of podcasting about the archaeology of animal remains. From the very beginnings, to some of the running themes, recurring characters and inside jokes, this episode is an introspective journey into ArchaeoAnimals. Tune in for some of our favourite ArchaeoAnimals moments, we hope you’ll enjoy them as much as we did...

 From quokkas to otters, we have selected some of the most endearing animals on the planet to bring you the ‘Cutest Case Studies of All Time’. Tune in to learn more about the anatomy and zooarchaeologies of the cutest of creatures. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/animals/64 Links and Sources The Duckbilled Playtpus (1799) - The Museum of Hoax...

Join us for this year’s Halloween episode where we discuss the zooarchaeology of the Predator franchise. From Hellhounds to Feral Predators, join us on a journey through 36 years of concept art and creature design of one of pop culture’s most beloved franchises. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/animals/63 Links and Sources Costamagno, S., Soulier,...

Join us on a journey through the mystical world of medieval maps and bestiaries. We will cover a selection of creatures real and imagined, their portrayal in the medieval period and how they informed people’s perceptions of said creatures. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/animals/62 Links and Sources The Hereford Mappa Mundi The Medieval Bestiary:...

In this episode we discuss all things dairy. Tune in to learn more about how several archaeology sub-disciplines come together to provide evidence for dairy production and consumption in the past. Also some interesting bog butter theories. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/animals/61 Links and Sources Albarella, U. (1997). Size, power, wool and veal...

Join us as we delve into experimental archaeology through the lenses of zooarchaeology. How can replicating objects or activities from the archaeological record help us understand animal exploitation in the past? Tune in to find out more! Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/animals/60 Links and Sources The Auerrind Project Bradfield, J. (2019). Fishin...

From dragons, to unicorns and Divine Chickens, this episode is all about mythological creatures and how they may (or may not) have been inspired by fossilised remains of extinct species. Our friend Pliny the Elder makes an appearance once again, along with a peculiar extinct giraffe species. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/animals/59 Links and Sou...

Join us as we embark on another listener-requested episode topic, this time all about the zooarchaeology of animals used in warfare. From fiery pigs to Hannibal’s infamous elephants, we take a look at how animals from around the world have been integral to military operations from prehistory to World War I. Links and Sources Ameen, C., Benkert, H., Fraser, T., Gordon, R., Holmes, M., Johnson, W.,...

Episode II: Attack of the Alex This episode, Alex and Simona dive back into the Star Wars universe and discuss the skeletal anatomy of a variety of creatures from both the canon lore and legends. Tune in to learn more about the possible ecology and anatomy of creatures such as the Krayt Dragon, the Kaadu and the Kowakian Monkey-Lizard and why nerf welfare is no laughing matter. Transcripts For rou...

This episode brings together episodes 53 to 55 as the unexpected finale of a ‘secret miniseries’ on how zooarchaeology can be used to reconstruct palaeoenvironments in conjunction with other archaeological subdisciplines. But how can the presence or absence of a given toad species infer on past environments? Tune in to find out! Case studies feature the humble European pond turtle/terrapin/tortois...

This episode of ArchaeoAnimals is about all creatures small and smaller! Tune in to learn more about small rodents and insectivores and their importance for reconstructing palaeoenvironments, characterising human-animal interactions, as well as their slow but inevitable spread through the near entirety of the globe. Case studies include the house mouse in the Levant, the Pacific rat in Mangareva,...

In this episode of ArchaeoAnimals, Alex and Simona explore the Land of Reptilia. From the humble Grass Snake to the mighty Nile Crocodile, tune in to learn more about reptile remains in archaeology around the world. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/animals/54 Links and Sources https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/where_to_see_reptiles Bochaton, C. (2022)...

In this episode of ArchaeoAnimals, take a journey into the world of amphibians with us. Witness the latest of Alex’s hot archaeology takes, discover the unbelievable cuteness of the axolotl and why amphibian remains are so crucial to the reconstruction of past environments. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/animals/53 Links and Sources https://bna-n...

In this belated spooky episode, we untangle the web that is xenomorph anatomy, the creatures from the popular Alien franchise. Listen in for tales of stress inducing videogame sessions, what a dog xenomorph looks like, and in-depth analysis of the role of the facehugger in the xenomorph life cycle. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/animals/52 Links...

In this episode of ArchaeoAnimals, Alex and Simona put their party hats on to discuss their favourite animal bones as a (slightly belated) celebration of the first 50 episodes of the podcast! Interested in sponsoring this show or podcast ads for your business? Zencastr makes it really easy! Click this message for more info. Start your own podcast with Zencastr and get 30% off your first three mont...

Welcome to the final episode of our miniseries focusing on the zooarchaeology of various world regions. This episode is centred around Antarctica, focusing on the natural history and anatomy of the most prominent wild and domesticated species found throughout the continent. Tune in to learn about exploration expeditions gone wrong and interestingly named Guernsey cattle. Interested in sponsoring t...

Welcome to episode three of a miniseries focusing on the zooarchaeology of various world regions. Join us on a journey to Oceania as we learn about the natural history and anatomy of the most prominent wild and domesticated species found in the area. Tune in to learn more about creatures such as the cassowary, thylacine and platypus. Interested in sponsoring this show or podcast ads for your busin...

RE-POST: Sorry for the duplicate episode. Had to post a correction! Ignore if you've already heard Ep 48. Welcome to episode three of a miniseries focusing on the zooarchaeology of various world regions. This episode is centred around Asian zooarchaeology, focusing on the natural history and anatomy of the most prominent wild and domesticated species found throughout the continent. Tune in to lear...

Welcome to episode three of a miniseries focusing on the zooarchaeology of various world regions. This episode is centered around American zooarchaeology, focusing on the natural history and anatomy of the most prominent wild and domesticated species found throughout North and South America. Tune in for beaver-pretenders, bison-cattle hybrids and even more moose/elk arguments! Interested in learni...

Welcome to episode two of a miniseries focusing on the zooarchaeology of various world regions. This episode is centred around African zooarchaeology, focusing on the natural history and anatomy of the most prominent wild and domesticated species. Find out more about African Giant Rats, how loud Guinea fowls can be and what a zebrinny is. Interested in learning about how to use X-Rays and similar...

Welcome to episode one of a miniseries focusing on the zooarchaeology of various world regions. This episode is centred around European zooarchaeology, focusing on the natural history and anatomy of the most prominent wild and domesticated species. Tune in for curious animal introductions, waterfowl collections and musings on Pliny the Elder. Interested in learning about how to use X-Rays and simi...

On this episode of ArchaeoAnimals, Alex and Simona delve into contemporary archaeology. What can our household rubbish tell us about our food consumption habits? How do today’s selection of species and butchering techniques compare to those of the past? Interested in learning about how to use X-Rays and similar technology in archaeology? Check out the linked PaleoImaging course from James Elliot!...

This is part two of a miniseries on the zooarchaeology of mythological creatures. Learn more about the anatomy of creatures such as the Minotaur and Cerberus, but most importantly, how a centaur would wear trousers. Start your own podcast with Zencastr and get 30% off your first three months with code ANIMALS. Click this message for more information. FOR A TRANSCRIPT OF THIS PODCAST GO TO: archpod...

What do the black rat and the grain weevil have in common? Learn more about the species mankind has ‘accidentally’ introduced, many now regarded as pests. Discover enchanting creatures such as the killer shrimp, and a beetle’s favourite past time. Start your own podcast with Zencastr and get 30% off your first three months with code ANIMALS. Click this message for more information. Links and Refer...

Welcome to part 1 of our mini series covering the zooarchaeology of mythology and folklore. In this instalment, Alex and Simona discuss the weird and wonderful creatures of Norse mythology and what their skeletons may have looked like. Also Loki’s pranks, Jörmungandr rightfully getting irate at Thor picking him up and Grettir’s unpleasant encounter with a draugr. Sources Lindow, J. (2001). Norse M...