And My Trowel

Where fantasy meets archaeology! The realms between fantasy and reality have collided and only archaeologists can pave the way through the unknown. Ash and Tilly, armed with two trowels and a backlog of archaeological theory, navigate to new, thrilling worlds, filled with magic and mayhem to answer those burgeoning questions that only archaeologists can answer.

The Magnified Axe (part 2) - Ep 16
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

The Magnified Axe (part 2) - Ep 16

Are you ready for another use(wear)ful episode? Then listen to part two of Ash and Tilly’s chat with special guest Dr Amber Roy, as they tackle the issue of how to classify a polished stone axe from the Bazkardum Society of Dwarfish History. How long have axes been used in human history? How can you tell what an axe was used for? And why is Tilly waiting for a carrier pigeon? Tune in to find out!

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The Magnified Axe (part 1) - Ep 15
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

The Magnified Axe (part 1) - Ep 15

It’s time for an axe-tremely axe-citing episode! Ash and Tilly have to deal with a tricky situation over at the Bazkardum Society of Dwarfish History, who want to know how to classify a recently donated polished stone axe. Luckily, they have help from special guest Dr Amber Roy - experimental archaeologist and microwear analyst who specialises in prehistoric axes. In this first of two episodes.

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Dark Lord Walks into a Tavern... - Ep 14
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Dark Lord Walks into a Tavern... - Ep 14

Ouch! In episode 14, Tilly and Ash confront the Magisterium of Malintent, the Grand Council of Dark Lords to talk about their power dynamics and how the archaeological record isn’t always as clear cut when it comes to understanding hierarchy and power.

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Great Balls of Post-processualism - Ep 13
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Great Balls of Post-processualism - Ep 13

What do you do when you encounter two wizards throwing balls of fire at each other? Soothe them with archaeological theory of course! In this episode, Ash and Tilly have a slightly different task ahead of them as they discuss the history of processual versus post-processual archaeology, all in an attempt to deal with the intricate politics of academic research.

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A Trail of Ice and Hags - Ep 12
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

A Trail of Ice and Hags - Ep 12

In episode 12, like archaeological paladins, Tilly and Ash have been given a divine quest: find the Cailleach of Celtic Myth and…deliver her washing. Oh. On their journey, they discuss the best strategies to locate the ancient hag and ask the tough archaeological question: what even is a landscape?

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Looking at the fantastic side of archaeology and the ARCHAEOLOGY side of fantasy.