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.

Resurrected Funerary Spaces Within the Grand Egyptian Museum - TPM 27
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Resurrected Funerary Spaces Within the Grand Egyptian Museum - TPM 27

After two decades of anticipation, the Grand Egyptian Museum has finally opened and it is wonderful in every sense of the word! In this episode of The Past Macabre, host Stephanie Rice explores how the world’s largest archaeological museum breathes new life into ancient funerary traditions. Join her on a journey through three extraordinary exhibits that reimagine Egypt’s afterlife: the digital recreation of Khnumhotep II’s tomb; the complete collection of Tutankhamun’s treasures that have been reunited for the first time since they were excavated; and the solar boats that were buried next to the Great Pyramid that were meant to carry Khufu in the afterlife. Through technology, artistry, and careful conservation, these exhibits at the Grand Egyptian Museum bring Ancient Egyptian lives to modern visitors.

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Sunken Cities Part 3: Thonis-Heracleion, the City of Commerce and Ceremony - Ep 24
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Sunken Cities Part 3: Thonis-Heracleion, the City of Commerce and Ceremony - Ep 24

In this episode, we’ll explore the rediscovery and legacy of Thonis-Heracleion, a sacred port city that was lost beneath the Mediterranean Sea for over 1200 years. During its peak, the city stood as both a major checkpoint for foreign merchants entering Egypt and a spiritual center tied to the worship of Amun, Khonsu, Osiris, Aphrodite, and many more Egyptian and Greek deities.

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

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.

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