Halloween Episode: The Restless Dead - TPM 25

Around the world and throughout our entire written history, humanity has believed that the dead can return to the land of the living, even if only for a short time. Through ancient texts and archaeological research, we can trace how people long ago understood hauntings, feared the unburied, and tried to keep the dead at rest.In this Halloween special, discover just a few of the stories of ghosts, revenants, vampires, and other restless dead from ancient to medieval sources. From the oldest texts in the world in Ancient Mesopotamia that speak of the ghosts that walked among the living, to the first Classical story to identify necromancy in Ancient Greece, to the Norse sagas of heroes defeating terrifyingly strong draugr, and the origins of vampires in Slavic lore. Explore archaeological discoveries of graves referred to as "deviant" or "anti-vampire" burials from Greek and Slavic cemeteries where the dead were physically stopped from rising again.These ancient tales of the dead also reveal what the living feared, what they valued, and how they coped with loss.Offline works cited:D. Karakantza, Efimia, Alexandros Velaoras, and Marion Meyer. 2025. Ancient Necropolitics: Maltreating the Living, Abusing the Dead in Greek Antiquity. BRILL.Gardela, Leszek. Gardeła L. 2015. Vampire Burials in Medieval Poland. An Overview of Past Controversies and Recent Reevaluations, Lund Archaeological Review 21, 107-126.Sulosky Weaver, Carrie Lynn. 2022. Marginalised Populations in the Ancient Greek World: The Bioarchaeology of the Other. Edinburgh University PressWypustek, Andrzej. Sorcery Among Powerless Corpses. An Interpretation of the ‘Restless Dead’ in Greek Curses, Imprecations and Verse Inscriptions. The Wisdom of Thoth. Magical Text in Ancient Mediterranean Civilisations, 121-129. Archaeopress.LinksSee photos related to episode topics on InstagramLoving the macabre lore? Treat your host to a coffee!Free English Translation of The Odyssey by Homer - Project GutenbergGreek Phasmata (Ghosts) by Greek Myth ComixVideo: Mesopotamian Ghost Busting with Dr. Irving FinkelOpen Access Article: Apotropaic Practices and the Undead A Biogeochemical Assessment of Deviant Burials in Post-Medieval PolandOpen Access Article: The Living and the Dead in Slavic Folk Culture Modes of Interaction between Two WorldsTranscriptsFor transcripts of this episode head over to: https://archpodnet.com/tpm/25ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN ShopAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re continuing spooky month with a movie that’s as confused about theology as it is about evolution: The Lost Tribe (2009) tells the story of some insufferable tech bros and their girlfriends who stumble into the middle of a Catholic conspiracy to cover-up undeniable proof of human evolution, in the form of a bloodthirsty tribe of “primevil” hominins!LinksWatch The Lost Tribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaOfWV72vmMSaltation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltation_(biology)Richard Klein (2000) The Archaeology of Human Behaviour: https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1520-6505(2000)9:1%3C17::AID-EVAN3%3E3.0.CO;2-ADarwin and the Church: https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/commentary/religion/darwin-and-churchColour vision in animals: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/colors-animals-seeSagittal crest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittal_crestNails and claws in primate evolution: https://doi.org/10.1006/jhev.1998.0263Homo floresiensis and island dwarfism: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-22166736Ebu gogo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebu_gogoGamer dent: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/gamer-dentPiltdown Man: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piltdown_ManGenus Gansus: https://dinopedia.fandom.com/wiki/GansusBaháʼí Faith: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%CA%BC%C3%AD_FaithJustin Baldoni, Blake Lively, and It Ends With Us: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Ends_with_Us_controversy“The Implication” (IASIP): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgUvwcU6P7IContactWebsiteBlueskyFacebookLetterboxdEmailArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this third installment of the “Horse Series,” David sits down with Dr. Carlton Shield Chief Gover to explore the intersections of Indigenous oral traditions, radiocarbon dating, and the archaeology of horses across the Great Plains and the Caribbean.Carlton shares how Pawnee oral traditions align with archaeological evidence, revealing new insights into the transitions from hunter-gatherer to agricultural societies. The conversation expands into how the reintroduction of horses revolutionized Plains warfare, movement, and culture — transforming not just how people traveled, but how they defined bravery, honor, and trade.The episode then dives underwater — literally — as Carlton recounts his work with the Indiana University Underwater Science Program in the Dominican Republic. From Spanish shipwrecks to 400-year-old hazelnuts used to fight scurvy, the discussion highlights how horses, colonization, and trade converged across continents and oceans.Topics CoveredIntroduction to Carlton Shield Chief Gover’s background and Pawnee heritageMerging radiocarbon dating with Indigenous oral historiesThe importance of corn, maize agriculture, and Plains village lifeHow the horse transformed Indigenous cultures and warfareThe practice of “counting coup” and individual honor in combatThe spread of horses before European contactCarlton’s archaeological work in Ukraine and comparisons to the Great PlainsUnderwater archaeology in the Dominican RepublicSpanish shipwrecks, horseshoes, and gold-gilded stirrupsHazelnuts as a 16th-century Spanish cure for scurvyDangers and logistics of underwater fieldworkHow early Caribbean horses may connect genetically to modern mustangsThe future of Plains and underwater archaeologyAbout the GuestDr. Carlton Shield Chief Gover is a citizen of the Pawnee Nation and a leading voice in Indigenous and Plains archaeology. His research integrates oral histories, Bayesian radiocarbon analysis, and archaeological evidence to create a fuller understanding of the Great Plains’ deep past. He currently serves as Assistant Professor and Curator of Archaeology at the University of Kansas and hosts The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast.Follow Carlton on InstagramListen to The Great Plains Archaeology PodcastMentioned in This EpisodeHoof Beats: The Horse in Human History — Dr. William TaylorCassidy Thornhill’s work on the Blacks Fork HorseYvette and Paulette Steeves’ research on pre-contact horsesIndiana University Underwater Science Program (Dr. Charles Beeker)University of Kansas Natural History MuseumKey Quote“When you reanalyze radiocarbon data with Indigenous oral traditions, you actually illustrate a much more holistic picture of human history.” — Dr. Carlton Shield Chief GoverTranscriptsFor a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/ethnocynology/26Links:davidianhowe.comDavidianhowe.com/storeArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN ShopAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s show, Chris Webster joins Dr. Alan Garfinkel to deconstruct a fascinating rock drawing panel at Portuguese Bench near Little Lake in western California. There is so much going on with this panel that they only discuss a few of the more prominent elements and possible a few that you might not notice. Follow along by downloading the images and figure out what you can see and what you think it means.TranscriptsFor a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/rockart/153ContactDr. Alan [email protected]. Alan Garfinkel’s WebsiteSupport Dr. Garfinkel on PatreonArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN ShopAffiliates and SponsorsMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tilly is back to full health and so our three hosts are reunited in part two of their discussion about the October book club theme of “The Bare Bones”. Together, they chat about their own likes and dislikes of reading in this theme, and general popular understanding of bones in relation to history and archaeology. They also share their recommended books from their own library, including a medieval fan favourite, a book all about sects, and a travelogue going back in time.Monthly Book: Mort by Terry PratchettBooks MentionedThe Incredible Human Journey (Alice Roberts)The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù MXTX)A Disputation Betwix the Body and Worms (Unknown)Road of bones (Demi Winters)Sabriel (Garth Nix)The Locked Tomb Series (Tamsyn Muir)Apothecary diaries (Natsu Hyūga)Wolf Road (Alice Roberts)Hercule Poirot series (Agatha Christie)Heaven Official’s Blessing (Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù MXTX)LinksBBC Two - The Incredible Human JourneyContactDiscordWebsiteInstagramEmailMusic"Little Adventure" by Sergei ChetvertnykhTranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/archaeo-book-club/08ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Uh-oh! The Quest for Ancient Civilizations conference is coming to Scottsdale in December and I haven’t gotten tickets yet! Where will I be without my yearly supply of mumbo jumbo? Thankfully, if you missed this summer’s Cosmic Summit, it’s the same people presenting their same lame pseudoarchaeology ideas in the same boring context. If you’re looking for a black hole in which to dump money and time, you have found it!TranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode head over to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/pseudo/173ContactKinkella Teaches Archaeology (Youtube)Blog: Kinkella Teaches Archaeology ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetMerch StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s part two of Matilda’s tea-break with Alexandra Sebire as the two chat about the traditional craft of book binding. In this episode, we dive a little deeper into the history and development of book binding, and Alexandra shares more about the different projects she’s working in, and why you don’t always have to take the traditional path.TranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/39LinksSolemniko website“To be adorned” crochet websiteList of endangered heritage craftsBrevarium BartholomeiContact the HostEmail: matilda@thearchaeologiststeacup.comWebsiteInstagramNewsletterArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetTee Public Store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/archaeology-podcast-network?ref_id=5724AffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After being part of two panel episodes (Heritage Voices Episode 79: The Intensive NAGPRA Summer Training and Education Program (INSTEP) and Episode 92: The 2024 Updated NAGPRA Regulations, Jessica finally got to sit down with Chance Ward (NAGPRA Collections Specialist at History Colorado; enrolled citizen and tribal member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) for a one on one episode. During this episode we talk about how Chance first heard about anthropology during his time at Fort Lewis College, his time doing CRM work, and why he chose to switch to Museum Studies. We talked about a couple of projects that are near to his heart, including a workbook for Indigenous young people on CRM, how it affects Tribes, and why it is important to be involved and a couple of papers on the ethical treatment of animal remains. Lastly we talked about his approach in his current position and his advice for how other museum professionals can better work with Tribal Nations.LinksHeritage Voices on the APNToward Legal, Ethical, and Culturally Informed Care of Animal Remains in American Museum Collections | Advances in Archaeological Practice | Cambridge CoreHorse nations: After the Spanish conquest, horses transformed Native American tribes much earlier than historians thoughtEarly dispersal of domestic horses into the Great Plains and northern RockiesWhat is a Rebuilder? - Native Governance CenterHistory Colorado WebsiteLost HighwaysChance Ward's LinkedIn [email protected]@livingheritageAArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetTee Public StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, I sit down with Rob Bozell, who served the Nebraska State Historical Society for more than three decades and retired as State Archaeologist after a career that began in the 1980’s. Rob reflects on his journey through some of the most transformative decades in American archaeology, including the passage of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and its lasting impact on the field.In the first half of our conversation, Rob takes us back to the 1990s—sharing how he stepped into leadership just as NAGPRA and the Nebraska Unmarked Human Burial Sites and Skeletal Remains Protection Act were enacted, and how Nebraska institutions and tribal nations worked to navigate this new legal and cultural landscape together.In the second half, we turn to the 2000s and 2010s, as Rob discusses major projects like the rediscovery of the Engineer Cantonment site, the evolution of preservation practices, and his efforts to foster meaningful relationships between archaeologists and Indigenous communities. He closes with reflections on his career, the legacy of NAGPRA, and his hopes for the next generation of archaeologists committed to Great Plains ArchaeologyTranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/great-plains-archaeology/29LinksThe Archaeology of the North American Great Plains by Douglas B. Bamforth (2021)Archaeology on the Great Plains Edited by W. Raymond Wood (1998)Carlton's KU Anthropology Faculty BioContactInstagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologistEmail: [email protected] Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN ShopAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.Rituals connected the site to Canopus through the Osirian Mysteries, and I'll share details about the archaeological evidence of these rites, including a sacred barge that carried the statue of Osiris between the two cities. As with its neighbor Canopus, Thonis-Heracleion became closely associated with a Greek mythical hero. According to Herodotus, this was where Heracles (Hercules) set foot in Egypt for the first time and Heracles became syncretized with Khonsu over time.Listen now to explore how the rediscovery of Thonis-Heracleion has helped reshape our understanding of Egypt’s sacred coastline during the Late Period and Ptolemaic Dynasty.TranscriptsFor transcripts of this episode head over to: https://archpodnet.com/tpm/24LinksSee photos related to episode topics on InstagramLoving the macabre lore? Treat your host to a coffee!ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN ShopAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.