The Past Macabre

For the first time since the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922, archaeologists have unearthed the tomb of a pharaoh! It belongs to Thutmose II of Egypt’s powerful 18th Dynasty, who was the husband of Hatshepsut, the woman who ruled on her own as king. But that’s not all, near Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri, incredible new finds are shedding fresh light on one of Egypt’s m...

Before Valentine’s Day became a celebration of romance, and even before it was associated with a Roman Catholic saint, this was a time of celebration and feasting in Rome. From February 13th through the 21st, the Romans observed the overlapping festivals of Parentalia, Lupercalia, and Feralia to celebrate fertility, life, and honor the dead so their ghosts wouldn't haunt the living. Join me to com...

Uncover timeless displays of romantic affection or "true love" that were intended to endure long after death. We'll explore some remarkable examples, starting with the gold foil figures found at pre-Christian sites across Scandinavia that depict both mortal couples and the wedding of the Norse god Freyr to the jötunn Gerd. Then we'll examine a pre-Columbian stone pendant found on the ancestral lan...

Explore the ancient Etruscan burial practices and deities of the underworld. The Etruscans began rising to power around 900 BCE in Etruria, modern day Tuscany. They dominated the Italian peninsula and became a major political and economic force in the Mediterranean that left a legacy that shaped the region. Etruscan kings ruled over Rome until 509 BCE when an uprising removed the tyrannical monarc...

In this episode, we uncover the Mycenaean roots of Ancient Greek deities and beliefs about death and the afterlife. The Mycenaeans controlled much of Greece and the Aegean Sea starting about 1700 BCE until about 1200 BE, when the Late Bronze Age collapse led to hundreds of years of political, social, and climate upheaval for the entire region. But through their monumental architecture, art, and st...

In this episode, we explore the gods and goddesses associated with winter and death. From Itztlacoliuhqui of Mesoamerica, to Boreas, Demeter, and Persephone of ancient Greece; Cailleach Beara in Scotland who's also known as the Cailleach in Ireland; Marzanna of Western Slavic lands; Perchta in the Alpine valleys; Frau Holle of the Germanic region, and Hel of Norse mythology, these deities reflect...

In Episode 7 of The Past Macabre , delve into the lesser-known death deities of Ancient Egypt. Beyond Osiris and Anubis, discover guardians like Wepwaut, Serket and Neith, and other gods who protect the soul on its journey through the perilous Duat. Then, explore the rich spiritual traditions of the Akan people of West Africa, connect ancestral spirits, life and death. Unveil the hidden stories of...

Embark on a journey following Ancient Egyptian funerary texts that guided souls through the Duat, the shadowy underworld filled with gods, monsters, and treacherous trials. From the sacred spells of the Pyramid Texts and the Book of the Dead to the perilous journey detailed in the Amduat and Books of the Netherworld, discover how Ancient Egyptians viewed the afterlife. Transcripts For transcripts...

In this episode we return to Ireland for a look at the Cave of the Cats associated with The Morrigan and Queen Medb and journey to a haunting volcanic mountain in Japan where mediums commune with the dead. Then to Iceland’s highly active volcanoes that were thought to be the Gates of Hell, and then to Greco-Roman caves that granted prophecies and access to the underworld. Join me as we explore the...

Journey to the ancient tombs of Ireland as we delve into the history behind Halloween's earliest roots. Explore the Celtic festival of Samhain, where the veil between the worlds thinned, and bonfires blazed atop ancient passage tombs. Discover the Neolithic tombs aligned with the Samhain sunrise, the goddesses and heroes associated with this liminal time, and trace the connections between these an...

Uncover the engineering marvels behind Egypt’s iconic pyramids and new archaeological findings about their construction. Explore unfinished Third Dynasty pyramids, Sneferu's architectural experimentations, and the wonder that is the Great Pyramid of Khufu. Learn about the pyramid towns that supported a large, skilled workforce and harbors that were part of the extensive transport network required...

Continue the journey through the ancient tomb architecture of Early Dynastic Egypt that paved the way for the pyramids. Uncover recently discovered predynastic tombs in the Nile Delta and explore Saqqara’s grand necropolis. From the tombs of elite Egyptians to the monuments of Merneith, the first woman to rule Egypt, and the Step Pyramid of Djoser, we’ll reveal the powerful afterlife rituals and a...

Travel back over 5,000 years to Nekhen and Abydos, and explore the predynastic and early dynastic tombs that laid the foundations for the iconic pyramids and grand tombs of Ancient Egypt. Discover how these early burial sites shaped royal displays of power, afterlife beliefs, and Egyptian art for millennia. Links See photos related to episode topics on Instagram Loving the macabre lore? Treat your...

Join Egyptologist Stephanie Rice as she delves into topics such as the elaborate tombs built to immortalize the dead, ancient guardians of the afterlife, and the tales of heroes who defied and often triumphed over deities of death. The Past Macabre explores the diverse ways in which cultures throughout history have sought to understand, confront, and transcend death. Links: Follow The Past Macabre...