The Archaeology Show

Dig into the world of archaeology with hosts Chris Webster and Rachel Roden. This show brings you the latest news, insights, and stories from the field and beyond. Whether you're a pro or just curious, there's something here for you. Enjoy the ride.

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Journal Club - September 2026 - Ghost DNA and Carved Turtles - Ep 340
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Journal Club - September 2026 - Ghost DNA and Carved Turtles - Ep 340

This week we have the latest installment of the journal Club! Ash and Tilly from the And My Trowel podcast join us for a lively discussion about two recent news articles. Join us to learn about ghost DNA, turtle figurines (or not?), and all the ways Americans eat and drink tea and scones incorrectly!

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Ancient Inscriptions - Ep 339
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Ancient Inscriptions - Ep 339

In this episode of The Archaeology Show, we follow three discoveries that reveal how much ancient meaning can survive—and how much can still elude us. First, we look at rare Neolithic obsidian arrowheads from central Anatolia, etched with one-of-a-kind geometric designs that took real effort to carve, yet remain impossible to interpret. Then we head deep into Spain’s Cova de les Dones, where a hidden chamber holds 120 Latin inscriptions—evidence of an organized Roman cult centered on a mysterious “Lady,” Domina, and the name “MALACI.” Finally, we travel to Wetar Island in eastern Indonesia, where a 4,000-year-old painted stone plaque provides the first portable example of Austronesian Painting Tradition art, suggesting seafarers carried shared symbols and identities across the ocean long before pottery arrived.

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PROMO - 'Rock Art: An American Story' with Stephen Alvarez - Rock Art 171
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

PROMO - 'Rock Art: An American Story' with Stephen Alvarez - Rock Art 171

Please enjoy this episode of The Rock Art Podcast this week!

In this episode, Alan speaks with Stephen Alvarez about his new book, Rock Art: An American Story, exploring the enduring significance of rock art across North America. They discuss Indigenous perspectives, the sacredness of rock art sites, and how ancient imagery continues to connect people with place, culture, and history. The conversation also considers the challenges of interpreting and dating rock art, and the importance of respecting and protecting these remarkable records of the past.

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The Mystery of Rongorongo, an Etruscan Well, and a Lost Convent - Ep 338
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

The Mystery of Rongorongo, an Etruscan Well, and a Lost Convent - Ep 338

This week, we’re exploring three archaeology articles in the news this week. First, we head to Rapa Nui, where new research into the mysterious Rongorongo script could reshape our understanding of when and how writing developed on the island. Then, we examine an Etruscan ritual well filled with offerings to the goddess Uni—and later, human remains. Finally, we travel to Denmark, where plans for an underground parking garage led archaeologists to the unexpected discovery of a long-lost medieval convent.

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Journal Club: July 2026 - TAS 337
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Journal Club: July 2026 - TAS 337

Join the APN crew for a monthly discussion of recent news articles. This month we look into two very different questions about archaeology and how we interpret the past. First, we dig into the growing role of AI and large language models in archaeological research, discussing hallucinations, data ownership, consent, open access, and why critical thinking is more important than ever. Then, we examine the case of a man who survived a severe facial injury roughly 100,000 years ago—and ask whether the more interesting story is really ancient violence, or the care and community that allowed him to survive.

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Go behind the headlines, and discover real history and archaeology news.