Why We Matter - Episode 6

On this episode of Trowel Tales, we talk about and share stories on why archaeology and archaeologists matter in this day and age, especially with some major political challenges facing the field.

On this episode, we're keeping things lighthearted. Listen to archaeologists' favorite artifacts, archaeological sites, places, and experiences in the field and how hard it can be to choose just one. For a lot of archaeologists, it's not just about the stuff. It boils down to the love of discovery and recording the past for future generations.

In this episode, we explore the study of human remains with an emphasis on treating every individual with respect and care. Two bioarchaeologists share their experiences of working with human remains and how to best treat the individuals. Three archaeologists share their collective experiences of excavating a cemetery in New Jersey. Please note that all of the stories recorded were shared by professionals in the field who work within CRM law; this podcast does not endorse the disturbance of burials/human remains without thorough consultation, working within CRM law, and extreme care.

On today's episode, we're going to get into the nitty gritty of excavation. Learn about what kind of field schools archaeologists attended to learn how to use a trowel. Hear about the unique artifacts they uncovered. And, decide for yourself if excavating is a cool as it seems (i.e. it is!).

Welcome to Trowel Tales! What is Trowel Tales? It’s a story-based podcast with tales told about the exciting, strange, dangerous, and silly things that can happen in the field of archaeology. In this episode, we’ll explore why we walk miles in straight lines looking for artifacts (i.e. survey). 

Welcome to Trowel Tales! What is Trowel Tales? It’s a story-based podcast with tales told about the exciting, strange, dangerous, and silly things that can happen in the field of archaeology. In this first episode, we’ll explore the wonderful world of archaeology and hear how some of us got into this fantastic field.