The Past Macabre

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.

The Archaeology of the Real Scorpion Kings - TPM 30
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

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.

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Ancient Fossil Finds and Mythical Creatures Part 2: The Bones of Heroes and Monsters - TPM 29
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Ancient Fossil Finds and Mythical Creatures Part 2: The Bones of Heroes and Monsters - TPM 29

In this continuation of The Past Macabre’s exploration of fossils and myth, host Stephanie Rice examines how ancient cultures interpreted fossil discoveries and connected them to tales of monsters, heroes, and gods. Through oral traditions, archaeological finds, and texts from the Mexica (Aztecs) and Maya of Mesoamerica, the Hopi, Zuni, and Dine (Navajo) of the American Southwest, pre-Christian Ireland, and Classical Greece, this episode explores what these stories tell us about humanity’s enduring curiosity about the natural world.

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Welcome to The Past Macabre! Where we dive into humanity’s enduring obsession with death—and what lies beyond it!