The Archaeology Podcast Network

Tea-Break Archaeology

Education EN ↓ 57 episodes

The world is full of incredible archaeological sites, inspiring historic figures, and breathtaking ancient artefacts. But what about those everyday objects that have become so essential to our daily life that we don't even notice them any more? In this podcast, professional archaeologist and journalist Dr Matilda Siebrecht explores the deep history and archaeological origins of the most familiar objects and crafts, sometimes enlisting the help of an expert guest speaker to really dig into the topic. Ever wanted to find out the history of the simple notebook? What the ancient equivalent of a co...

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The Archaeology Podcast Network

Episodes

Is this a sword I see before me? - Ep 6 22.11.2022 56:23

It's time for another journey back to the past, and this time we go armed! Matilda chats with archaeologist Valerio Gentile all about his research on Bronze Age swords. Were bronze swords used in combat? How does one create a bronze sword? What is the only acceptable type of coffee to drink as an Italian? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this month's episode of Tea-break Time Tr...

Social media bifaces - Ep 5 27.09.2022 56:23

In this month's episode, Matilda chats with fellow podcaster and well-known YouTube anthropologist David Ian Howe all about ancient arrowheads. Probably everyone knows what an arrowhead is, but what's the story behind the use and development of arrowheads? And most importantly, what's the link between arrowheads and smartphones? Listen in to find out all this and more! Links David's YouTube A Life...

Not just naked blue barbarians - Ep 4 23.08.2022 51:50

This month Matilda focuses on the prehistory of Scotland, and specifically that enigmatic carved stone symbol known as the Pictish Beastie. Is it a dolphin? Is it an elephant? Is it a unicorn? To help uncover the mystery of this symbol and provide some background context about Pictish society is guest Hamish Findley Lamley, owner of Pictavia Leather. Join the journey to hear all about the differen...

Forges, fieldwork, and frying pans - Ep 3 26.07.2022 57:59

The trowel is generally considered to be the essential piece in any archaeologist's toolkit, but how long have trowels been around and what kinds of trowels can you use in excavations? In this episode, Matilda chats with professional archaeologist and blacksmith Dr Zechariah Jinks-Fredrick about why we choose the tools that we do, but also the development of metal tools and metalworking in the pas...

A flame from my hearth to yours - Ep 2 28.06.2022 59:13

It's time for another journey into the past and this month Matilda will be chatting with Ashleigh Airey all about the development of candles. When were the earliest candles? What materials are candles made from and how do they affect our environment? How much have candles changed over time? Listen in to this second episode to find out the answers and more! Links Ashwood Candles website Guest Conta...

The soul of the object - Ep 1 28.06.2022 52:01

In this first episode of Tea-break Time Travel, Matilda is joined by Sarah Lord from Potted History to talk about the oldest clay object in the world: The Venus of Dolní Věstonice. Ever wondered how people first started making clay objects? Who made the Venus figurines? Why art has always been a part of human history? Then this is the episode for you! Links Potted History website Potted History Yo...

Tea-Break Time Travel - Ep 0 14.06.2022 2:24

Have you ever wanted to travel back in time? Back to the mediaeval period, to see the earliest printing press or spinning wheel? To the Bronze Age, watching from the sidelines as a blacksmith hammers out a beautiful leaf -shaped blade? How about the early Neolithic, to learn how to knap that perfect stone hand axe? Or even all the way back to the Palaeolithic, to witness the creation of the earlie...