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.

Two or More Objects Meet in a Hoard - Ep 21
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Two or More Objects Meet in a Hoard - Ep 21

Deep in the heart of Khazad-dûm, changes are being made. Caverns are being restored, bridges are being rebuilt, and there’s even plans for a new shopping centre… But when a huge hoard of objects is discovered in a hidden chamber, Ash and Tilly are called in to investigate! And helping them in their quest is Dr Adrián Maldonado - archaeologist, author, and expert on hoards.

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Personhood Through the Looking Glass - Ep 20
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Personhood Through the Looking Glass - Ep 20

After the physical labour of episode 19, Ash and Tilly decide to put their interpretative skills to work in this episode, and discuss how to research a certain magical mirror that has been dropped in their office. To do that, they chat about the history of mirrors, the symbolism of mirrors, and try to work out how exactly you would classify a magical mirror.

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Of Prancing and Ponies - Ep 19
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Of Prancing and Ponies - Ep 19

In episode nineteen, Tilly and Ash accidentally volunteer to help out the Butterbur Bree Historical Society with recording their most famous inn, the Prancing Pony. Armed with a measuring tape and a frosty pint, they go about discussing the biggest trope in all fantasy: the Tavern!

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Another Vamp Bites the Dust (part 2) - Ep 18
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Another Vamp Bites the Dust (part 2) - Ep 18

It’s time for part two of our discussion with forensic anthropologist, osteoarchaeologist, and conservator Jessica van Dam, as we discuss the issue of vampire teeth. Are there archaeological examples of vampires in the real world? (Spoiler: yes) Can we look at bones to see what happened to that person in life? (Spoiler: yes) Do vampire teeth and hair continue to grow once they become vampires?

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Another Vamp Bites the Dust (part 1) - Ep 17
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Another Vamp Bites the Dust (part 1) - Ep 17

In their latest quest, Tilly and Ash have to deal with quite a delicate situation, as construction of the latest housing project by Helsing Homes uncovers the burials of possible vampire hunters, including bags of vampire teeth… Luckily, they can enlist the help of special guest Jessica van Dam - an ex-osteoarchaeologist who researched teeth in particular.

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