Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Moundbuilder Myths and Viking Runestones in (or around) the Great Plains? - Plains 36

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Eliminate Anthropology - CRMArch 326

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The hosts discuss Jose Leonardo Santos’s article on negative public attitudes toward anthropology and the claim that the discipline is struggling, including department closures and doubts about career outcomes. They argue the article mostly compiles familiar viewpoints without enough outside perspectives or practical solutions, and debate whether anthropology and higher education are truly in crisis or whether some critiques rely on weak, clickbait-style data. Much of the conversation centers on academia’s disconnect from CRM work, saying graduates often lack practical skills, critical thinking, and the ability to take feedback, leaving CRM firms to train them from scratch. They compare community college “train-to-standard” education with selective four-year programs and emphasize professional self-improvement, then invite Santos to join the podcast for a Socratic-style discussion.

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Digging Deep with Norma Gregory, African Diaspora Industrial Heritage Historian - HeVo 104

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On this month’s episode, Jessica speaks with Dr. Norma Gregory (founder and director of Nottingham News Centre) about her efforts to document and educate the public on the industrial heritage history of the African diaspora. Dr. Gregory’s work to develop her book on Jamaicans in Nottingham led her to shift her life work to making sure that Black coal mining history got the attention that it deserved. We talk about some of her different efforts to promote this history as well as how all of us can do better public education in our own work. We also talk about her work for the Windrush museum, on Nottingham Carnival heritage, as well as her future dream vision for continuing this work.

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Dr Norma Gregory & Black Miners’ Heritage

Industrial Heritage & Archaeology

Windrush Scandal UK

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Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Ancient Egyptian Rock Art, a Funeral Pyre in Africa, and an Animal Skull Collection - TAS 322

This week we deep dive three interesting archaeology news stories. First up, a rock art panel from Ancient Egypt depicts the conquest of the nomadic groups that lived in the Sinai peninsula. Then, we head over to Africa, where a burial that is the oldest example of intentional cremation with an intact funeral pyre has been found. Finally, Neanderthals collected animal skulls and placed then in a cave 43,000 years ago, and, as usual, archaeologists are baffled!

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Tombs of the Tomb Builders Part 1: The Lost City of the Pyramid Builders - TPM 31

In the first part of this two-episode series on the tombs of the tomb builders, host Stephanie Rice journeys beyond the iconic monuments of the Giza Plateau to explore the long-overlooked settlement of the pyramid workers.

Often overshadowed by the Great Pyramids themselves, the massive wall known as Heit el-Ghurab, aka the “Wall of the Crow”, once concealed the remains of a thriving community. Ongoing excavations have revealed barracks, bakeries, administrative buildings, and, most importantly, carefully constructed cemeteries that challenge long-standing myths about enslaved labor or alien technologies.

This episode examines the archaeological evidence for a socially stratified yet respected workforce: laborers buried in modest but well-built tombs, artisans interred higher on the hillside, and even small mastabas and pyramids constructed for workers. Through burial architecture, grave goods, and settlement remains, we uncover a story not of disposable bodies, but of skilled Egyptians who brought their regional traditions with them in life and in death.

Offline Sources Cited:

  • David, A. Rosalie (editor). 1996. The Pyramid Builders of Ancient Egypt: A Modern Investigation of Pharaoh’s Workforce. Routledge, London New York.

  • Forshaw, Roger. Trauma Care, Surgery and Remedies in Ancient Egypt: A Reassessment.

  • Lehner, Mark. 2015. Labor and the Pyramids: The Heit El-Ghurab “Workers Town” at Giza. In , pp. 397–522.

  • Lehner, Mark. 2023. Combinatorial Evolution and Heterogeneous Cohabitation at the Giant Pyramids. Journal of Urban Archaeology 8:21–46.

  • Steinkeller, Piotr, and Michael Hudson. 2015. Labor in the Ancient World: A Colloquium Held at Hirschbach (Saxony), April 2005. International Scholars Conference on Ancient Near Eastern Economies No. volume 5. ISLET, Dresden.

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Boonie Bears: Blast Intro the Past (2018) - Screens 122

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Dogs, Death, and Mourning in Human Culture - Ethno 30

In this episode of Ethnocynology, David talks about the book he's writing, reflects on the recent passing of his dog and his uncle, and what those have in common. With an upcoming trip to Mexico to research dogs in ancient and classical Mexican culture, David weaves in themes of dogs as spiritual constants and symbols of death around the world, including ancient Persia and China. He also asks the audience to consider how dogs and death may go hand in hand in their own lives.

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The Living Traditions of Rock Art with Dr Joakim Goldhahn - Rock Art 159

In this episode, Alan speaks with Dr Joakim Goldhahn about his journey through archaeology and rock art, from Scandinavia to Australia. Together, they explore the cosmology of Scandinavian burials linked to rock art, as well as the living traditions of rock art in Kakadu National Park and the lifeways of Indigenous Australians. Central to the discussion is a reflection on archaeological responsibility: how working outside these cultural traditions requires humility, accountability, and a commitment to building genuine, impactful relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities.

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So long, farewell... - ABC 14

After two years of running, this is the final episode for the Archaeo Book Club Podcast. Hosts and book club admins Ash, Judith, and Tilly bid a fond farewell by sharing their favourite past reads of the club, as well as the most anticipated books on their 2026 reading list. To all of our listeners, thank you for tuning in! And remember that just because the podcast is stopping doesn’t mean that the book club is. If you want to continue the discussion, please do come along and join our free Discord server to join our community and share your love of archaeology and books. Hopefully see you there!

Books mentioned:
Beowulf (Maria Dhavana Headley)
The Emperor’s Babe (Bernadine Evaristo)
The Name of the Rose (Umberto Eco)
The Vaster Wilds (Lauren Groff)
Crocodile on the Sandbank (Elizabeth Peters)
Beds and Chambers in Late Medieval England: Reading, Representation and Realities (Hollie L.S. Morgan).
Inside the Neolithic Mind (David Lewis-Williams and David Pearce)
Scents of Arabia: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Ancient Olfactory Worlds (Arnulf Hausleiter and Barbara Huber)

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  • For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/archaeo-book-club/14

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Dan Farah’s Movie Age of Disclosure and his Interview on Bill Maher’s Club Random - Pseudo 179

Dan Farah released a documentary called “Age of Disclosure” which is all about how aliens are among us and we are fools for not believing him. Bill Maher interviewed him on his Club Random podcast, and I watched it.

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Gladiator training with Svenja Fabian (part 1) - Tea-break 46

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? And why is it unlikely that people would have used the thumbs up/thumbs down signals? Tune in to find out!

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  • Email: matilda@thearchaeologiststeacup.com

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Archaeology of Discworld (Part 2) - Trowel 60

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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 writing is comparable to archaeological research.

Books mentioned:

Godkiller (Hannah Kaner)

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The Long Way Home: To Oaxaca and Back with Dave Williams - Plains 35

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 field experience shape how archaeologists understand place and the past.

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Do Unversity Rankings really matter? - CRMArch 325

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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 shares examples where Ivy League graduates were not stronger candidates and notes that perceived academic “elite” advantages are often statistical noise or social bias. Overall, the episode encourages students and parents to focus on strong, field-relevant programs rather than chasing rankings or prestige.

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Strat Chat: Troy – Digging Deeper into the Layers of Legend - TAS 321

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 practices, and cultural significance. We also delve into the early archaeological excavations and the ongoing debate about the historicity of the Trojan War.

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The Archaeology of the Real Scorpion Kings - TPM 30

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.

Explore the Tomb of Scorpion I at Abydos which was filled with imported wine, lapis lazuli, and the first evidence of writing in Egypt. Learn about the ceremonial Scorpion Macehead that depicts Scorpion II planting crops.

Together, their stories reveal that Egypt’s first kings built their power through prosperity, order, and the sacred duty to sustain life not through warfare.

Transcript

Works Cited

  • Bard, Kathryn A. "Political Economies of Predynastic Egypt and the Formation of the Early State." Journal of Archaeological Research, Vol. 25, No. 1, March 2017.

  • Dodson, Aidan. "The First Dynasty." In The First Pharaohs: Their Lives and Afterlives. American University in Cairo Press, 2021.

  • Hendrickx, Stan and Renée Friedman. "Gebel Tjauti Rock Inscription 1 and the Relationship between Abydos and Hierakonpolis during the early Naqada III Period." Göttinger Miszellen (GM) 196, 2003.

  • Leeman, Diane. Abydos Tomb U-j of Predynastic Egypt. Compiled 2007, Revised 2018.

  • Stevenson, Alice. "The Egyptian Predynastic and State Formation." Journal of Archaeological Research, Vol. 24, 2016.

  • Teeter, Emily, ed. Before the Pyramids: The Origins of Egyptian Civilization. Oriental Institute Museum Publications 33, 2011.

  • Wilkinson, Toby A. H. "What a King Is This: Narmer and the Concept of the Ruler." The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, Vol. 86, 2000.

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The History of Dogs: Evolution, Archaeology, and Mythology - Ethno 29

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?

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Obsidian Conveyance Systems of the Pacific Northwest - Rock Art 158

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 stratigraphy is mixed. Alan draws from a major post-wildfire cultural project in southern Oregon’s North Umpqua River Basin, where cleared forests exposed dense artifact scatters and a surprising pattern: heavy reliance on obsidian despite sources 100+ miles away, including biface caches dated to around 4,000 years ago.

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Cavegirl (1985) - Screens 121

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.

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Book Worms: Magical Pasts - ABC 13

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 mentioned:

  • What the River Knows (Isabel Ibañez)

  • The Crystal Cave (Mary Stewart)

  • Forest Euphoria (Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian)

  • Where the Library Hides (Isabel Ibañez)

  • Mere (Danielle Giles)

  • The Materiality of Magic (Natalie Armitage and Ceri Houlbrook)

  • Empire of Shadows (Jacquelyn Benson)

  • Trees in the Religions of Early Medieval England (Michael Bintley)

  • Trees in Anglo-Saxon England: Literature, Lore and Landscape (Della Hooke)

  • Wyrd Sisters (Terry Pratchett)

  • The Hollow Hills (Mary Stewart)

  • The Last Enchantment (Mary Stewart)

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