Tea-Break Archaeology

Archaeology Pod Network

The world is full of incredible archaeological sites, inspiring historic figures, and breathtaking ancient artefacts. But what about those everyday objects that have become so essential to our daily life that we don't even notice them any more? In this podcast, professional archaeologist and journalist Dr Matilda Siebrecht explores the deep history and archaeological origins of the most familiar objects and crafts, sometimes enlisting the help of an expert guest speaker to really dig into the topic. Ever wanted to find out the history of the simple notebook? What the ancient equivalent of a computer was? When we started using doors? Then plug in your headphones, grab your hot beverage of choice, and tune in!

  1. 4D AGO

    Ancient Skin-care with Katie Chin-Quee (part 1) - Teabreak 53

    In this episode, take a step back from the hustle and bustle of daily life to practice a little bit of self care and join Matilda and her guest Katie Chin-Quee in this latest exploration of the archaeology of everyday things. Katie shares the many twists and turns of the path that led her to a career in archaeology, and how she became involved with the particular topic of ancient skin-care. Together, they chat about the issues with supposedly “feminine” research topics, and why branching out on digital platforms can be a great way to develop your science communication skills. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/53 Links Some examples of cosmetic palettes Katie’s LinkTree Katie’s instagram Katie’s post on experimental ancient skin care The Scent of Ancient Greco-Roman Sculpture (article) The Ebers Papyrus translated Text Ovid on Cosmetics by Marguerite Johnson The rise of the cosmetic industry in ancient China: Insights from a 2700-year-old face cream (article) American Girl Dolls Some other interesting reads suggested by Katie: Doménech-Carbó, M.T. et al. (2012) “Characterization of prehispanic cosmetics found in a burial of the ancient city of Teotihuacan (Mexico),” Journal of archaeological science, 39(4), pp. 1043–1062. Cilione, M., Cavarra, B. and Gazzaniga, V. (2023) “Once again on the Empress Zoe: Women, dermatology, cosmetics, and materia medica (medical matter) in the ancient world,” Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 22(2), pp. 555–560. Ursin, F., Borelli, C. and Steger, F. (2020) “Dermatology in Ancient Rome: Medical ingredients in Ovid’s ‘Remedies for female faces,’” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(6), pp. 1388–1394. Contact the Host Email: matilda@thearchaeologiststeacup.com https://www.thearchaeologiststeacup.com insta: @the_archaeologists_teacup fb: /TheArchaeologistsTeacup twitter: @ArchaeoTeacup ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet APN Shop Affiliates Motion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    34 min

  2. MAY 5

    Pasts and Crafts: Knitting with Jessica van Dam (part 2) - Ep 52

    It’s time for part two of Matilda’s discussion with Jessica van Dam all about the archaeology of knitting! This time, the two discuss the social history of knitting and how it is perceived in the modern world, as well as the importance of maintaining crafting traditions and physical communities. Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/52 Links Jess’s website Jess’s instagram Museum of Curiosity episode featuring fibre artist Kaffe Fassett Example of “arty knitwear” “The Resistance Knitting Club” by Jenny O’Brien German short rows Contact the Host Email: matilda@thearchaeologiststeacup.com https://www.thearchaeologiststeacup.com insta: @the_archaeologists_teacup fb: /TheArchaeologistsTeacup twitter: @ArchaeoTeacup ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet APN Shop Affiliates Motion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    40 min

  3. APR 21

    Pasts and Crafts: Knitting with Jessica van Dam (part 1) - Ep 51

    Following on in the same theme as the last few episodes, Matilda chats with guest Jessica van Dam all about the crafting practice and archaeology of knitting. Tune in as they discuss different knitting techniques and approaches, share insights into the oldest physical and written evidence for knitting, and come up with a brand new experimental archaeology project focused on knitting needles! Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/51 Links Jess’s website Jess’s instagram Different knitting techniques Tunisian crochet The Yarn Library podcast Egyptian sock Contact the Host Email: matilda@thearchaeologiststeacup.com https://www.thearchaeologiststeacup.com insta: @the_archaeologists_teacup fb: /TheArchaeologistsTeacup twitter: @ArchaeoTeacup ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet APN Shop Affiliates Motion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    39 min

  4. APR 7

    Archaeotextiles with Ronja Lau (part 2) - Ep 50

    It’s time for part two of Matilda’s chat with textile archaeologist Ronja Lau! After discussing the background to Ronja’s current work in the Duerrnberg salt mines, the two delve deeper (pun intended) into the most interesting and surprising results of the project. Spoiler alert: it turns out that Iron Age Duerrnbergians enjoyed the look of a purple pin-striped suit! Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/50 Links Ronja’s Blog Post EXARC Conference (Berlin) details North Europe textile symposium Purpureae Veste (Mediterranean) symposium Keltenmuseum Hallein Duerrnberg Mine information Ronja’s Instagram Contact the Host Email: matilda@thearchaeologiststeacup.com https://www.thearchaeologiststeacup.com insta: @the_archaeologists_teacup fb: /TheArchaeologistsTeacup twitter: @ArchaeoTeacup ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet APN Shop Affiliates Motion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    32 min

  5. MAR 24

    Archaeotextiles with Ronja Lau (part 1) - Ep 49

    It’s time to venture into the mines! But make sure you are well dressed… This episode, Matilda chats with textile archaeologist Ronja Lau all about her work looking at Iron Age clothing from the Duerrnberg salt mines. Tune in to hear all about the history of textile archaeology, the importance of salt in preserving clothes, and why you should support archaeological research! Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/49 Transcript Links Ronja’s Blog Post Keltenmuseum Hallein Duerrnberg Mine information Ronja’s previous Teabreak episode Ronja’s previous And My Trowel episode Ronja’s instagram Contact the Host Email: matilda@thearchaeologiststeacup.com https://www.thearchaeologiststeacup.com insta: @the_archaeologists_teacup fb: /TheArchaeologistsTeacup twitter: @ArchaeoTeacup ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet APN Shop Affiliates Motion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    33 min

  6. MAR 10

    Archaeology of clothing - Ep 48

    As the seasons change, it’s time to swap out your wardrobes for those clothes that have been stuffed at the back of the shelf or in a box in the attic. And to celebrate this activity, Matilda dives this episode into the archaeology of clothing! But what actually is clothing? What is the oldest evidence we have for the creation of clothing? And what is the link between a bog, an artic tundra, and a desert? Tune in to find out! Transcripts https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/48 . Links Article on the history of fabrics Article on oldest stone needle Article on oldest bone needle Article on the oldest clothing Article on oldest bone tools used for leather working Article on the Tarkhan Dress Article on the oldest sewn hide Article on the evolution of dress and needles Contact the Host Email: matilda@thearchaeologiststeacup.com https://www.thearchaeologiststeacup.com insta: @the_archaeologists_teacup fb: /TheArchaeologistsTeacup twitter: @ArchaeoTeacup ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet APN Shop Affiliates Motion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    33 min

  7. FEB 24

    Gladiator training with Svenja Fabian (part 2) - Ep 47

    It’s time for part two of Matilda’s chat with ex-gladiatrix Svenja Fabian all about the topic of gladiatorial training! But how exactly would gladiators have trained in the past? Could anyone have become a gladiator? And what’s the ancient Roman equivalent of a sport’s bra? Listen in to find out the answers and much more! Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/47 Links Epitoma rei militaris Svenja’s academia page Svenja’s instagram EXARC website Contact the Host Email: matilda@thearchaeologiststeacup.com https://www.thearchaeologiststeacup.com insta: @the_archaeologists_teacup fb: /TheArchaeologistsTeacup twitter: @ArchaeoTeacup ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet APN Shop Affiliates Motion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    33 min

  8. FEB 10

    Gladiator training with Svenja Fabian (part 1) - Ep 46

    Let’s get down to business, to talk about gladiatorial training! In this episode, Matilda is joined by Svenja Fabian, who is a retired gladiatrix, or female gladiatorial re-enactor. Svenja’s shares her experiences in this particular field of re-enactment, and helps to bust some myths about gladiators in ancient Rome. But what actually is a gladiator? Did women really fight in gladiatorial battles? And why is it unlikely that people would have used the thumbs up/thumbs down signals? Tune in to find out! TranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/46 LinksSvenja’s academia pageSvenja’s instagramHelicarnassus relief of two gladiatricesContact the HostEmail: matilda@thearchaeologiststeacup.comhttps://www.thearchaeologiststeacup.cominsta: @the_archaeologists_teacupfb: /TheArchaeologistsTeacuptwitter: @ArchaeoTeacupArchPodNetAPN 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.

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The world is full of incredible archaeological sites, inspiring historic figures, and breathtaking ancient artefacts. But what about those everyday objects that have become so essential to our daily life that we don't even notice them any more? In this podcast, professional archaeologist and journalist Dr Matilda Siebrecht explores the deep history and archaeological origins of the most familiar objects and crafts, sometimes enlisting the help of an expert guest speaker to really dig into the topic. Ever wanted to find out the history of the simple notebook? What the ancient equivalent of a computer was? When we started using doors? Then plug in your headphones, grab your hot beverage of choice, and tune in!

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