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The Hungry Ghost Festival: From Ancient China to Modern Celebrations Around the World - TPM 21

Many different cultures from China and Southeast Asia honor the dead on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month during the Hungry Ghost Festival, also known as Zhongyuan in Daoism and Yulanpen or Ullambana in Mahayana Buddhism. In this episode, we’ll trace the origins of ancestor worship to ancient Shang Dynasty Oracle Bones, or “Dragon Bones,” which were used to inscribe petitions to ancestral spirits and hold the earliest evidence of Chinese writing. Then we’ll explore how regional variations of those ancient beliefs blended with the Buddhist Ulambana Sutra (or Mulian Rescues His Mother from Hell), Daoist visions of the afterlife, and Confucian teachings on filial responsibility. Over time, these influences eventually gave rise to the Hungry Ghost Festival which has continued to evolve into modern celebrations that weave together ancient traditions and modern lifestyles to honor both personal ancestors and members of the community lost in historical tragedies.

Transcripts

Links

Academic Sources

  • Campany, Robert F. 1991. Ghosts Matter: The Culture of Ghosts in Six Dynasties Zhiguai. Chinese Literature: Essays, Articles, Reviews (CLEAR) 13:15.

  • Chan, Selina Ching. 2023. Unequal Inscriptions of the Hungry Ghosts (Yulan) Festival Celebrations as Intangible Cultural Heritage in Hong Kong. China Perspectives(132):49–59.

  • Deutsch, Lauren W. Chinese Joss Paper Offerings.

  • Liu, Jingyu. 2020. The Unimpeded Passage: The Making of Universal Salvation Rites and Buddho-Daoist Interactions in Medieval China.

  • Shirin, Shakinah. 2021. Past and Present Rituals of Hungry Ghost Festival. Intercultural Communication.

  • Zhao, Yin. Indian Cultural Elements on the Ullambana Festival.

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It’s the Pie episode! Ep 314

In this special “Strat Chat” edition of The Archaeology Show, we dig into the layers of history behind “pi” and “pie” in honor of episode 314. First, we explore the origins of fruit pies, tracing their journey from ancient Egyptian tombs to medieval feasts and early American kitchens. Next, we unravel the story of the number pi (π), highlighting how ancient civilizations discovered and used this mathematical constant in everything from monuments to pottery. Finally, we bite into the history of meat pies, uncovering their role in ancient diets and how they evolved into a global comfort food. Join us for a flavorful journey through time, where archaeology and culinary history meet in every slice!

In this special “Strat Chat” edition of The Archaeology Show, we dig into the layers of history behind “pi” and “pie” in honor of episode 314. First, we explore the origins of fruit pies, tracing their journey from ancient Egyptian tombs to medieval feasts and early American kitchens. Next, we unravel the story of the number pi (π), highlighting how ancient civilizations discovered and used this mathematical constant in everything from monuments to pottery. Finally, we bite into the history of meat pies, uncovering their role in ancient diets and how they evolved into a global comfort food. Join us for a flavorful journey through time, where archaeology and culinary history meet in every slice!

Links

Segment 1: The History and Origin of Fruit Pies

  1. Pie: A Global History by Janet Clarkson

  2. The Forme of Cury (14th-century English cookbook)

  3. Oxford Companion to Food

  4. British Museum: Archaeology of Ancient Egypt

  5. York Archaeological Trust: Medieval Kitchens

  6. Food in Medieval England by C.M. Woolgar

  7. Smithsonian Magazine: The History of Pie in America

  8. American Pie Council

  9. A History of British Baking by Emma Kay

  10. Museum of London Archaeology

  11. Archaeobotanical Studies at the British Museum

  12. Sugar and Sweetness by Sidney Mintz

Segment 2: The Discovery and Use of the Number Pi (π)

  1. Rhind Mathematical Papyrus – British Museum

  2. Yale Babylonian Collection

  3. Archimedes’ “Measurement of a Circle”

  4. Mathematical Treatise in Nine Sections (Zu Chongzhi)

  5. Aryabhata and Aryabhatiya

  6. A History of Pi by Petr Beckmann

  7. The Symbol π and William Jones

  8. Mathematics in Ancient Egypt by Annette Imhausen

  9. The Archaeology of Measurement by Iain Morley

  10. British Museum: Ancient Coins

  11. Sacred Geometry by Robert Lawlor

  12. Longitude by Dava Sobel

  13. Pi Day – Official Site

  14. Pi in Popular Culture – Life of Pi

  15. Archaeological Discovery of Mathematical Tools

Segment 3: The History and Origin of Meat Pies

  1. Food in Ancient Egypt by Delwen Samuel

  2. Apicius: De Re Coquinaria

  3. The Englishman’s Food by Drummond & Wilbraham

  4. Food in Medieval England by C.M. Woolgar

  5. Sing a Song of Sixpence – Nursery Rhyme Origins

  6. Archaeology at Pompeii – Food Remains

  7. The Cornish Pasty by Gillian Hogg

  8. Pie: A Global History by Janet Clarkson

  9. Archaeozoology at the British Museum

  10. Pie: A Savor the South Cookbook by Sara Foster

  11. Jamaican Patties – History

  12. Tourtière – Canadian Encyclopedia

  13. Empanadas – Origins

  14. Victorian Pie Shops – Museum of London

  15. Meat Pies in Literature – Sweeney Todd

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Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

The Old Copper Culture with North02 - Ethno 22

In this episode of Ethnocynology, host David Ian Howe sits down with friend and creator North02 to dive into one of North America’s most fascinating and overlooked archaeological stories—the Old Copper Culture.

Together, they explore how Native communities in the Great Lakes region began shaping some of the world’s earliest metal tools and weapons, thousands of years before metallurgy took hold in Europe. From massive copper swords and fishing hooks to spear throwers and intricate ornaments, this culture reveals a technological world far beyond the usual “stone tool” narrative.

We discuss:

  • Why Michigan and the Great Lakes hold the purest copper deposits in the world

  • How hunter-gatherers mined and hammered copper into tools as early as 9,500 years ago

  • The mysterious rise and fall of copper mining, and why production suddenly stopped

  • Connections to Paleoindian cultures like Clovis and Agate Basin

  • The difference between copper use in the Americas and the Old World’s Bronze Age

  • How copper shifted from practical tools to symbols of power and status

Along the way, North shares insights from his upcoming documentary on the Old Copper Culture, his hands-on experiments with copper tools, and why this forgotten chapter of prehistory deserves a place in public imagination.

If you’ve ever wondered whether North America had its own “Copper Age”, this episode will change the way you think about early technology, innovation, and the ingenuity of ancient peoples.

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Book Worms: Under the Sea - ABC 02

Join Tilly, Judith, and Ash as they dive into the June theme, Under the Sea, from a literary perspective. They discuss how this watery theme lends itself to fiction and non-fiction, reflect briefly on their book club pick Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem, and share their own favourite reads inspired by the sea.

Highlights include Judith’s pick The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey, Ash’s Whispers of the Deep by Emma Hamm, and Tilly’s Seafaring Lore and Legend by Peter D. Jeans—three very different takes on underwater stories and myths!

Monthly Book: Mudlarking: Lost and Found on the River Thames by Lara Maiklem

Other books mentioned:

  • Seafaring Lore and Legend (Peter D. Jeans)

  • Whispers of the Deep (Emma Hamm)

  • The Mermaid of Black Conch (Monique Roffey)

  • Swallows and Amazons (Arthur Ransome)

  • Marsh King’s Daughter (Elizabeth Chadwick)

  • Pyrates (George Macdonald Fraser)

  • The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea (Axie Oh)

  • The Deep (Rivers Solomon)

  • Is a River Alive (Robert McFarlane)

Transcripts

  • For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/archaeo-book-club/02

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Field Notes: Under the Sea - ABC 01

Welcome to the first episode of the Archaeo Book Club, now part of the Archaeology Podcast Network!

Join Tilly, Judith, and Ash as they wade into our June reading theme: Under the Sea.

In this “field notes” discussion, we share our own experiences with watery archaeology, from shipwrecks and submerged cities to muddy river finds, and talk about how this theme has surfaced in our work, studies, and reading. We swap favourite anecdotes, explore why underwater and riverway archaeology matters, and look at how interest in the topic has evolved over time.

Monthly Book: Mudlarking: Lost and Found on the River Thames by Lara Maiklem

Other books mentioned:
Doggerland: Lost World Under the North Sea (read for free here)

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  • For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/archaeo-book-club/01

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Welcome to the Archaeo Book Club! - ABC 0

Welcome to the podcast of the Archaeo Book Club, an online community for lovers of archaeology and books! The book club was started back in 2022 as a way to explore how archaeology is depicted in fiction and popular non-fiction. Every month, we pick a different archaeology-related theme, and our book club members vote on a book to read for that theme. Each “field notes” episode, book club admins Tilly, Judith, and Ash discuss the latest theme and talk about its archaeological background, and make their own suggestions for further reading in each “book worms” episode. This podcast is for anyone who loves to explore the past, and loves to read!

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Magnetosphere with Nicola Rose - ADHD 21

In this special episode George is joined by neurodivergent writer and director Nicola Rose who talks about their brand new movie Magnetosphere, which centres around a young girl with synesthesia.

Nicola was late diagnosed with adhd and during research for the movie, which included interviewing upwards of 70 individuals with various forms of synesthesia, they recalled their own childhood experiences of synesthesia.

Nicola is passionate about showcasing neurodivergence in a positive light in film and hopes to make more movies in the future with neurodivergence as the central topic.

The movie is absolutely gorgeous and a must-watch for anyone interested in neurodiversity

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Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden
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The Shroud of Turin Returns on Piers Morgan Uncensored - Pseudo 169

The Shroud of Turin again? It never dies! Today I talk about the recent episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored which is all about the shroud.

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Heru-Who? - DiA 01

Who was Heru-ur? The Stargate villain had to be named after someone. He was, they finally used the ancient Egyptian name. Why didn't he get more screen time, did he have any connections with the mythology. Maybe, take this detour with me for a peregrine falcon sky dive.

Check out the website for full text and photos: ⁠https://www.detoursinartaeology.com/writtenform/heru-who⁠

Socials
Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/renegadeartaeology.bsky.social⁠
The Patreon:⁠ https://www.patreon.com/c/DetoursinArtaeology⁠
Instagram: ⁠@FlyingSepiida⁠

Music Used from ⁠Scott Buckley⁠:
'There is a Place' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'In Search Of Solitude' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'Petrichor' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'Castles in the Sky' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'Chasing Daylight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'Three Sheets To The Wind' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'Wayfarer' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'Undertow' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'The Vision' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'Echoes' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'Ephemera' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'Cirrus' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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The Graffiti Palimpsest (Part 1) - Trowel 51

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This episode, Ash and Tilly have a new quest from the Karnithril Collegium of Wall Lore to document vanishing graffiti. They are joined in their quest by archaeologist and visual science communicator Jona Schlegel, who shares her insight based on her previous research into graffiti along the Danube canal in Vienna. Together the three discuss those most pressing of questions: What actually is graffiti? How can you become a field archaeologist in different countries? And will Ash finally make Tilly that cup of tea?

Books Mentioned

  • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (JK Rowling)

  • Thud (Terry Pratchett)

  • Going Postal (Terry Pratchett)

  • City of Brass (S.A. Chakraborty)

  • Perdido Street Station (China Miéville)

  • The Bone Season (Samantha Shannon)

  • The Shadowshaper (Daniel José Older)

  • The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)

  • The City of Ember (Jeanne DuPrau)

  • Hairy Maclary and Friends series (Lynley Dodd)

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  • For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/51

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Career Advice for an Aspiring Archeologist in the Military - CRMArch 316

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Today we answer a question from a listener who is an active duty pilot for the US Airforce looking for advice on how to prepare herself for a career in archaeology once her military obligations are satisfied. This discussion and the advice that results is useful for: 1) those interested in transitioning to graduate school for archaeology with a nonarchaeology degree; 2) second career aspiring archaeologists; and 3) military members interested in becoming an archaeologist.

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The Wag Festival: Ancient Egypt's Summertime Celebration for the Dead - TPM 20

The Wag Festival is one of the oldest named celebrations in Ancient Egypt, a summertime rite honoring both the death of Osiris and the memory of departed loved ones. Each year, the living gathered to share feasts with the dead with offerings of bread, beer, and beef to sustain them in the afterlife. In this episode, we’ll explore the festival’s connection to the Osiris Myth and uncover its traces in the archaeological record, from tomb reliefs and inscribed stone offering tables to the very first Pyramid Texts in the tomb of Unas. Along the way, you’ll hear about some of the specific foods and offerings that graced these ancient tables.

Transcripts

Links and Sources

  • See photos related to episode topics on Instagram

  • Loving the macabre lore? Treat your host to a coffee!

  • More information about the Pyramid Texts including a map of the walls of the Pyramid of Unas, resources to study more Pyramid Texts, and a complete translation of the Pyramid Texts

  • Isis and Osiris by Plutarch free English translation

  • Recipe for Eish Baladi (Egyptian pita)

  • Emelʹjanov, Vladimir Vladimirovič (editor). 2021. Temporal Concepts and Perception of Time in the Ancient Orient: Proceedings of the Workshop “Calendar Festivals of the Ancient Orient” Held in St. Petersburg 20th-21th November 2020. St. Petersburg Centre for Oriental Studies Publishers, St. Petersburg.

  • Gautschy, Rita, Michael E Habicht, Francesco M Galassi, Daniela Rutica, Frank J Rühli, and Rainer Hannig. 2017. A New Astronomically Based Chronological Model for the Egyptian Old Kingdom. Journal of Egyptian History.

  • Hafez, Hayam, and Dalia Mohamed. 2025. An Offering Basin of Mr-Sw-Anx No. 519/1234. مجلة کلية الآثار . جامعة القاهرة 18(28):165–200.

  • Kahl, Jochem. 2022. Manuscripts and Monuments: The Ten Contracts of Djefai-Hapi and Economies of Knowledge. Manuscript and Text Cultures (MTC) 1:83–111.

  • Lappin, David F. Illahun Lunar Texts and the Astronomical Dating of the 12th Dynasty.

  • Puchkov, Alexander. 2024. Sothic Dating of the Egyptian Old Kingdom. The World of the Orient 2024.

  • Romanova, Olena. 2014. “Inscriptions from the Tomb of Metjen in the Context of Egyptian (Auto)-Biographies and Social History of the Beginning of IV Dynasty”, in Ukrainsky Istorichny Zbirnyk 2010 (Ukrainian Historical Collection). Vol. 17. Kyiv, 2014 17:6–33.

  • Soleiman, Saleh. 2017. The Inscribed Lintel of Ptahshepses at Saqqara. The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 103(1):103–116.

  • Spalinger A. (2013), "Further Thoughts on the Feast of WAgj", Études et Travaux, T. XXVI, pp. 616-24.

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Social Stories In Stone! Community Archaeology and Rock Art with Dr Tertia Barrett - Rock Art 148

In this episode, Alan is joined by by Dr. Tertia Barnett, a leading archaeologist whose work bridges scientific research and community engagement in the field of rock art. Dr. Barnett shares insights from her role as Principal Investigator on Scotland’s Rock Art Project, as well as her previous work on the Wadi al-Ajal Rock Art Project in Libya. Together they discuss the social and cultural dimensions of rock art that highlights the importance of collaboration, accessibility, and inclusivity in understanding ancient visual traditions.

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From the Rift to the Silicone... with D. C. Crager - ADHD 20

For millions of years humans have utilised their genius to survive and thrive in all sorts of challenging environments. From the first tools, weapons, fire, farming and science humanity has time and again overcome impossible odds with new solutions.

As we have discussed many times on this show neurodiversity has been essential or at least involved in our collective survival. But what about the future? Where do the geniuses work since the flint mines closed down?

D C Crager is a leader in AI solutions and currently helping over 6,000 neurodivergent minds learn to get the most out of AI. In this episode George discusses the significance of AI, neurodivergence and the future. An absolute listen for any neurodivergent humans currently feeling a little helpless or lost.

Transcripts

  • For rough transcripts head over to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/adhdbce/20

  • Transcript

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Kinkella Climbs the Mount Everest of Pseudoarchaeology (He Reads Graham Hancock’s Fingerprints of the Gods) - Pseudo 168

Unscientific. Meandering. Silly. Actively ignorant. Super long and BRUTALLY boring. Yes friends, this book doth suck.

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Bolivar Archaeological Project, Part One - HeVo 99

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This Heritage Voices episode features Dr. Maria Franklin (University of Texas at Austin), Dr. Alex Menaker (Stantec, Inc.), and Doug Boyd (Stantec, Inc.) and is part one of a two part series on the Bolivar Archaeological Project, a collaborative community archaeology project sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation. In this episode they provide context for the Bolivar Archaeological Project including the Ransom and Sarah Williams Farmstead project that paved the way for this study. Next, they broke down the different components of the project: Historic research, archaeology, oral history, and community engagement. They described how the different disciplines informed each other and how the lineal descendants and descendant community heavily influenced and contributed to the project throughout. Finally, this episode closes out with a discussion of the archaeology findings, as well as the archaeology of blacksmithing in general. Stay tuned for episode 100 with Mr. Tom Cook’s lineal descendants (who have provided invaluable service to their community in their own right as well), Ms. Betty Kimble and Mr. Howard Clark.

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Tattoos, Shoes, and New UNESCO World Heritage Sites Sites - Ep 313

This week we cover 3 recent archaeology news stories. First up, Near-infrared photography of a 2,300-year-old Pazyryk culture mummy in Siberia has revealed exquisitely detailed tattoos on her forearms and hands. Then, archaeologists excavating the Roman fort of Magna along Hadrian’s Wall in northern England have uncovered an unusually high proportion of oversized leather shoes. And finally, we discuss a few of the newest additions to the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.

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Legends and Lembas (Part 2) - Trowel 50

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In part two of their Lembas Bread quest, Tilly and Ash continue their ingredient hunt with Caroline Nicolay (Pario Gallico) in order to help the Lembas Appreciation Society analyse the oldest existing sample of the explementary whey bread. The team continue their discussion around living history, food, and experiential archaeology, asking the big questions of: what is food waste? How can we break down assumptions of food in the past? And are bogs actually fridges?

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  • For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/50

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Dispelling Myths - CRMArch 315

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In today’s episode, Bill, Doug and Heather discuss a variety of long held perspectives or are they myths… the responsibility of academia to CRM and vise versa… and whether the new cohort of CRM professionals have a point in all their, well consternations.

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5 Misconceptions About Great Plains Archaeology - Plains 25

In this solo episode, Carlton breaks down five of the most common misconceptions about Great Plains archaeology—from the myth of an “empty” landscape to the oversimplification of bison jumps and arrowheads.

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