The Archaeologist's Notebook

Where is Alexander the Great really buried? What does the unreadable Voynich Manuscript actually say? And what on earth was the Roman dodecahedron used for? Today, Giselle dives into three fascinating unsolved mysteries archaeologists still haven't solved! 🪏 You can become a certified Dirt Nerd and watch exclusive content by becoming a channel member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCJ...

What does a real archaeologist bring to an excavation? In today's video, Giselle goes through all of the items, surprising and unsurprising, when digging in the trenches! 🪏 You can become a certified Dirt Nerd and watch exclusive content by becoming a channel member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCJyzOQzeHJfZJMZ9-r_h3A/join Welcome to The Archaeologist's Notebook! Your hub for un...

Did ancient Egyptians wear eyeliner for style or medicine? In today's video, Giselle investigates the archaeology of cosmetics! Taking a look at lead-based foundations in ancient China and Roman cosmetic counters using oyster shells, Giselle looks at how our ancestors really painted their faces and puts these historical recipes to the test by trying ancient looks herself! 🪏 You can become a c...

Why are archaeologists digging up skeletons pinned with iron ploughs, surrounded by sickles, or buried with stones wedged into their jaws? In today's video, Giselle investigates real deviant burials across Europe. From post-medieval "vampire" graves in Poland and Bulgaria to Roman child necropolises and medieval ash burials in England, discover the dark archaeology and folklore behin...

"Why are 2,000-year-old human bodies emerging from European peat bogs with intact skin, eyelashes, and manicured fingernails? In today's video, Giselle breaks down the weird chemistry that turns human remains into leather time capsules. We re-examine famous cold cases like Tollund Man, Grauballe Man, and Lindow Man, unpack the mysterious Iron Age Celtic ritual known as the ""tri...

In 1963, while renovating his house, a man in Turkey accidentally found an entire sprawling, 2,000-year-old underground city lost to time. Originally home to 20,000 people, in today's video, Giselle looks at the history and archaeology of Derinkuyu. Why was this city built? Who built it? And what was the day-to-day life like for these people who lived deep underground? Giselle answers all! 🪏...

Is the movie The Monuments Men historically accurate? In this episode, Giselle looks into the real story of the historians, curators, and academics who risked their lives on the front lines of World War Two! 🪏 You can become a certified Dirt Nerd and watch exclusive content by becoming a channel member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCJyzOQzeHJfZJMZ9-r_h3A/join -- Source Materials: Nation...

In 1922, Howard Carter uncovered the intact tomb of King Tutankhamun, changing Egyptian history forever. But how much of the story do you actually know? Today, Giselle explores the chaotic history behind the excavation, the destructive methods used to unwrap the boy king, and modern forensic discoveries. 🪏 You can become a certified Dirt Nerd and watch exclusive content by becoming a channel memb...

In today’s video, Giselle is joined by actor, comedian, and SNL UK star George Fouracres to discuss the archaeology behind William Shakespeare! Together, they talk about the influence archaeology and history have on George’s professional life, look into how archaeological discoveries help our understanding of Shakespeare's plays, examine real Elizabethan artefacts, and discuss the fascinating...

In today's video, archaeologist Giselle reveals her top 10 favourite archaeological sites across the globe. We look at the Roman streets of Ephesus to the 29,000-year-old ice-age cave paintings in France and Scotland’s Neolithic treasures! 🪏 You can become a certified Dirt Nerd and watch exclusive content by becoming a channel member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCJyzOQzeHJfZJMZ9-r_...

History paints the Knights Hospitaller as heroic warriors, but the archaeology tells a much darker story. In today’s video, Giselle looks at physical evidence revealing how the Order of Saint John rand one of history’s most lucrative human trafficking rings, and how these enslaved people built early modern Malta. 🪏 You can become a certified Dirt Nerd and watch exclusive content by becoming a cha...

We've been doodling and writing on surfaces for millennia! We've loved swearing and drawing lewd images on things for just as long as well... In today's video, Giselle goes through the years of ancient graffiti, from confessions of love to business complaints! 🪏 You can become a certified Dirt Nerd and watch exclusive content by becoming a channel member here: https://www.youtube.com/...

What did Ancient Romans eat when they wanted a quick meal? Today, Giselle is joined by Alex Compiani from The Time Travellers Kitchen to talk all about Roman fast food and street vendors, with home-cooked, authentic Roman food for them both to taste test! -- Source Materials: Alamy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s video, Giselle looks into the dark and bizarre history of the Ahnenerbe— Heinrich Himmler’s SS division dedicated to rewriting global prehistory to justify the Nazi regime. Giselle looks into how the Third Reich hijacked real sites and fabricated data, from the Nazis searching for the Lost City of Atlantis and cosmic "World Ice" theories, to hunting for the Holy Grail in Franc...

In today’s episode, Giselle talks all about Viking gold! For the Vikings, gold was rare. So what happens when archaeologists uncover massive gold neck-rings, ornate bird pins, or thousands of grams of pure gold buried in Danish forests and bogs? Giselle is also joined by Viking expert Dr. Tom Horne to dive into 6 of the most incredible Viking Age gold discoveries of all time! Thank you to History...

Henry VIII is one of the most famous monarchs in English history, but what can we actually learn about him and his life from archaeological discoveries? It's hard to believe that this man could be a romantic, considering his track record, but will a certain heart-shaped locket and engraved coins have you thinking otherwise? We walk you through some fascinating and bizarre discoveries pertaining to...

What does it actually take to be an archaeologist? In today’s video, we take you behind the scenes at the Culver Archaeological Project in the south of England to show you what an archaeological dig is really like. From learning how to properly hold a trowel and map an excavation, to processing finds when rained out and unearthing Roman history, here’s a look into life at a field school! Hosted on...

Is the Bayeux Tapestry the ultimate piece of medieval political spin? Today, Giselle puts seven claims from Britain’s favorite masterpiece to the test using real archaeological evidence, excavated longships, horse bones, and battlefield finds! From false myths about King Harold’s death to hidden Anglo-Saxon rebellion in the margins, we’re unravelling the truth behind the 1066 Norman Conquest. Than...

In the summer of 1381, an army of tens of thousands of ordinary people marched on London, triggering the largest social uprising in medieval English history. It was the only time the Tower of London was ever overrun, resulting in broken prisons, burned palaces, and royal executions. But what actually caused this massive revolt, and what clues did these rebels leave behind in the archaeological rec...

Did our prehistoric ancestors love a cold pint as much as we do? Spoiler: YES.  Today, archaeologist Giselle pulls up a bar stool and explores the most incredible archaeological discoveries of ancient alcohol—from 2,300-year-old liquid beer buried in China to a 13,000-year-old Natufian brewery that might prove humans started farming for beer /before/ bread. Thank you to History Hit for sponso...

Did you know that Stonehenge isn't actually a "true" henge? And what about Seahenge, Woodhenge, or the massive superhenges scattered across the UK? In today’s video, Giselle unpacks the truth behind Britain’s most iconic prehistoric features. Breaking down what actually makes a henge a henge, we explore the history and engineering of these massive Neolithic settlement sites! 🪏 You can become a ce...

Think the modern flushing loo is a recent invention? Think again! In today's video, we’re taking a look into the fascinating, gross, and unbelievable history of human waste disposal. From 2,400-year-old palace thrones in Ancient China to 5,000-year-old Bronze Age plumbing, uncover how toilets shaped human civilisation long before Thomas Crapper or the Romans came along. We’re also sifting through...

Think the modern flushing loo is a recent invention? Think again! In today's video, we’re taking a look into the fascinating, gross, and unbelievable history of human waste disposal. From 2,400-year-old palace thrones in Ancient China to 5,000-year-old Bronze Age plumbing, uncover how toilets shaped human civilization long before Thomas Crapper or the Romans came along. We’re also sifting through...

What does a real archaeologist think about Indiana Jones? Today, working archaeologist Giselle reacts to and breaks down Hollywood's most popular archaeology in movies and judges them based off of how accurate (or inaccurate) they are! From Indiana Jones to Jurassic Park, is your favourite film on the chopping block? 🪏 You can become a certified Dirt Nerd by becoming a channel member here: https:...

What can you learn about a person from their skeleton? What do you do if you find a dead body? And how much do your bones really reveal about your life, health, and death? In today's video, Giselle (with the help of Patrice) walks you through how you can become an osteologist too by learning to read bones! Breaking down the expert forensic techniques used on dig sites and police cases to analyze h...