The Archaeology Podcast Network Feed

Let’s get down to business, to talk about gladiatorial training! In this episode, Matilda is joined by Svenja Fabian, who is a retired gladiatrix, or female gladiatorial re-enactor. Svenja’s shares her experiences in this particular field of re-enactment, and helps to bust some myths about gladiators in ancient Rome. But what actually is a gladiator? Did women really fight in gladiatorial battles?...

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...

Myths of the Underworld are numerous, and diving deeper into the depths will lead to increasing darkness and illumination. In the deepest depths of the Duat, Sokar exists, his land in the dry sands, keeping Apep in the cave. Come on this detour through the night, and bring some night-vision goggles. Links Part 1 - Sokar: The Hidden Onion - Sokar: The Hidden Onion by Detours in Artaeology Read alon...

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast , Carlton sits down with Dave Williams to discuss the intellectual and professional journey that brought him from Mesoamerican archaeology in Oaxaca, Mexico, back to working across the Central Great Plains. Rather than focusing on institutional roles, this conversation centers on how archaeological training, regional perspective, and lived fi...

In this episode, the hosts discuss the latest U.S. News & World Report university rankings and question their relevance to archaeology and cultural resource management (CRM). They argue that Ivy League prestige and rankings have little to no impact on hiring or success in archaeology, emphasizing that program quality, practical skills, and experience matter far more than a school’s name. The panel...

In this episode, host Stephanie Rice shares information about the origins of Ancient Egyptian kingship during the Predynastic period. Discover the real archaeological evidence of two different rulers known as King Scorpion that inspired the Scorpion King from The Mummy franchise. But unlike the cinematic portrayal, the real kings didn't amass and sustain their power through military conquest. Expl...

In Episode 321 of The Archaeology Show, we take a deep dive into the long and complex history of Troy. We discuss the stratigraphy of the site, starting from modern times and moving backward through key periods, including the famous era of the Trojan War as described by Homer. The episode covers the archaeological discoveries, the evolution of the city's fortifications, trade networks, burial prac...

Today we’re reviewing Cavegirl (1985), a movie which Wikipedia misleadingly describes as a “sex comedy”. It tells the story of a teenage incel nerd who is accidentally thrown back in time due to some magic crystal/military helicopter shenanigans and meets a charming manic pixie cave girl who nonetheless fails to instill in him any growth or character development whatsoever. Links Watch Cavegirl (1...

In this episode of ethnocynology, David gets back to dogs! Ever wanted to hear his full manifesto on dogs, culminating nearly a decade of research? Well, here it is! What are dogs, where do they come from, and why are they so prevalent in history, legend, and mythology? Transcripts For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/ethnocynology/29 Links: David’s video...

Episode 158 of the Rock Art Podcast steps beyond rock art to explore “obsidian conveyance systems”—how volcanic glass moved through travel, trade, and social ties, and what that reveals about prehistoric lifeways. Host Dr. Alan Garfinkel is joined by co-host Chris Webster for a conversation on obsidian sourcing, chemical fingerprints, and why big datasets can reconstruct connections even when stra...

This episode, our hosts Ash, Judith, and Tilly continue their discussion of the Archaeo Book Club’s January theme of “Magical Pasts”, this time delving into their book shelves for inspiration! Together they tackle the classic burning questions: What is headology? Who was Merlin? And what has any of this got to do with mushrooms? Monthly Book : The History of Magic (Chris Gosden) Other books mentio...

Time to define what Cryptids are! People ask me about these beloved creatures (who don’t exist) almost more often than actual archaeology stuff! So please listen to the full podcast and go subscribe to my YouTube channel or both Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster will carry you away in your sleep. Transcripts Message for Simplecast: For rough transcripts of this episode head over to https://www.arc...

Following the popularity of the previously coined “Tea-break Time Travel Training”, Matilda focuses in this episode on a commonly used method in archaeological research: Experimental Archaeology. Listen in to hear what experimental is, its origins and development, its strengths and weaknesses, and how it all started for Matilda with an afternoon of throwing prehistoric spears in a public park in A...

This week we discuss three fascinating discoveries across Western Europe: a 7,000-year-old underwater stone wall off the coast of France, an exceptionally rare Iron Age war trumpet potentially linked to Boudica’s era in Britain, and a mysterious medieval cemetery in Wales dominated by female burials. Join us while we unpack what these finds reveal about prehistoric coastal societies, Iron Age warf...

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...

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, Carlton is joined by Dr. Spencer Pelton, Wyoming State Archaeologist, to explore what some of the oldest archaeological sites in Wyoming reveal about Paleoindian life. The conversation focuses on two areas of Spencer’s research: the Powars II hematite quarry and Locality IV at the Hell Gap site. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this epis...

In this episode, Heather, Andrew, and Bill share the moments—both as students and professionals—when they realized they were truly archaeologists. Through personal stories from field school, CRM work, and teaching, they explore how confidence, passion, and identity develop over time. The discussion highlights that archaeology is more than excavation, emphasizing problem-solving, people skills, and...

On this month’s episode, Jessica checks back in with Aaron Brien (Apsáalooke), who you may remember from Episode 23 on Salish-Kootenai College’s Tribal Historic Preservation Program, Episode 25 on Technology, and episode 41 on Collecting Oral Histories in Indian Country. In the more than 5 years since our last recording, Aaron has moved from being Tribal Historic Preservation Program faculty at Sa...

In this continuation of The Past Macabre’s exploration of fossils and myth, host Stephanie Rice examines how ancient cultures interpreted fossil discoveries and connected them to tales of monsters, heroes, and gods. Through oral traditions, archaeological finds, and texts from the Mexica (Aztecs) and Maya of Mesoamerica, the Hopi, Zuni, and Dine (Navajo) of the American Southwest, pre-Christian Ir...

Today we’re reviewing Korg 70,000 B.C. (1974), a children’s TV series about a Neanderthal family from Hanna-Barbera, creators of The Flintstones , Scooby-Doo , and more. Unlike those series, however, this one is live-action! Who knew? Anyway, we talk about a lot of academic papers about Neanderthals, because nothing happens in the episode we watched. Links Watch Korg on the Internet Archive Cave l...

What if one of the most important technologies in human history wasn’t a spear, a stone tool, or writing, but a bone needle? In this episode of Ethnocynology, David sits down with Dr. McKenna Litynski, an interdisciplinary anthropologist, to explore how sewing needles, clothing, and thermoregulation fundamentally reshaped human survival during the Ice Age. And helped Homo sapiens expand across the...

How many layers does this falcon god go? Well, if it's the hours he's in the Duat, then it's 4 and 5. Sokar is a mystery, hidden away in the sands of time. Just waiting to bring us back to new life. Links Website: ⁠Detours in Artaeology⁠ ⁠My YouTube channel⁠ - where you can find all my episodes too ⁠Printify Shop⁠ - shirts, stickers, and mugs, oh my! Contact Follow my ⁠BlueSky⁠ Follow me on Instag...

In this episode, Alan is joined by Dr. Maria Guagnin (Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology) and Dr. Ceri Shipton (Australian National University) to explore how human societies adapted to environmental change during the Pleistocene–Holocene transition. Maria and Ceri examine prehistoric settlement, mobility, and monumental rock art in northern Arabia, showing how symbolic expression and landsc...

Let’s start the new year off with a little bit of magic! In January, the book club theme is “Magical Pasts”, and so this episode our three hosts discuss the role of magic - or related themes - in the deep and recent past. Tune in to hear all about entanglements, shamanism, and charms for bees. Monthly Book : The History of Magic (Chris Gosden) Links Charm for a Swam of Bees Carved Stone Balls And...

It’s time for my annual end of the year review! Let’s remember the good times, the bad times, and the mostly-kinda-sorta-okay times. Thank you all for listening! I hope you have a most excellent 2026. Transcripts Message for Simplecast: For rough transcripts of this episode head over to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/pseudo/177 Contact Kinkella Teaches Archaeology (Youtube) Blog: Kinkel...