Archaeology Books for Fun

Florida Public Archaeology Network - North Central
  • 5.0 (8)
  • History
  • Updated Biweekly

An archaeology podcast and book club where archaeologists Barbara and Tristan read and discuss archaeology books that make the ancient past approachable and fun. This bi-weekly archaeology podcast draws on over 40 years of combined experience. Archaeology Books for Fun explores ancient civilizations, archaeological mysteries, “lost” cities, and popular myths. Topics range from the illicit artifact trade to ancient aliens and Atlantis, from high-tech LiDAR discoveries to the occasional murder mysteries. Winner of the 2024 Tallahassee Trust for Historic Preservation Education Award.

  1. Space Archaeology Found 18,000 Hidden Sites | Archaeology from Space (Part 1 of 5)

    5d ago

    Space Archaeology Found 18,000 Hidden Sites | Archaeology from Space (Part 1 of 5)

    In this episode of Archaeology Books for Fun, archaeologists Barbara and Tristan kick off their discussion of "Archaeology from Space" by Sarah Parcak, exploring how satellite imagery and remote sensing technology are transforming the way archaeologists find and study sites around the world. From Cold War spy satellites declassified in 1995 to a study estimating 18,000 unrecorded pre-Columbian sites in the Amazon basin, this episode is essential listening for anyone interested in spacearchaeology, remote sensing, and the future of archaeological discovery. ____ WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE - How satellite imagery is used to identify archaeological sites, and why it's only the first step before ground truthing - The origins of space archaeology, from WWI aerial balloons to Cold War spy satellites to modern sub-meter resolution imagery - What archaeologists actually think about the "space archaeology" label; and why Barbara's friend had a point about GPS - How the technology connects to everyday CRM and regional archaeology work, including a Leon County GIS example ____ ABOUT THE BOOK "Archaeology from Space" by Sarah Parcak introduces readers to the field of satellite remote sensing in archaeology. Parcak is an Egyptologist and NASA-funded researcher who has been credited with identifying thousands of potential archaeological sites from space and has spoken widely about the technology's potential to revolutionize the field. ____ RESOURCES & LINKS: - Leon County GIS mapping tool: https://www.leoncountyfl.gov/gis - Support the show: https://www.fpan.us/give/ #SpaceArchaeology #RemoteSensing #ArchaeologyBooksForFun

    35 min
  2. Duane's Set the Dogs on Us! | Relics: A Faye Lonchamp Mystery (Finale - Part 5 of 5)

    May 15

    Duane's Set the Dogs on Us! | Relics: A Faye Lonchamp Mystery (Finale - Part 5 of 5)

    This is the finale of Mary Anna Evans' archaeology-themed murder mystery "Relics", and the last stretch is pure chaos with answers, motives, and a whole lot of running for your life. In this episode, Barbara and Tristan wrap up the story with the final reveals, the fallout from the forgery scheme, and the motives behind what’s been happening in (and around) the dig. Even with all of this, we still make time to talk about real-world archaeology along the way. Next up, we’re starting a new book: "Archaeology from Space: How the Future Shapes the Past" by Sarah Parcak. ___ Support the show! https://www.fpan.us/give/ #archaeologybooksforfun #murdermystery #mysterynovel

    27 min
  3. An Artifact Forgery Ring | Relics: A Faye Longchamp Mystery (Part 4 of 5)

    May 1

    An Artifact Forgery Ring | Relics: A Faye Longchamp Mystery (Part 4 of 5)

    This episode pulls back the curtain on an artifact forgery scheme in "Relics: A Faye Longchamp Mystery" by Mary Anna Evans; and suddenly a lot of earlier “weird stuff” starts to make sense. Barbara and Tristan unpack another mysterious death, a forgery ring moving fake antiquities, and a little relationship drama. Was it murder? Who’s behind the fakes? And has Joe finally found love? ___ Episode 1 of "Relics" https://youtu.be/XzFBWgl7jvI ___ Support the show! https://www.fpan.us/give/ #archaeologybooksforfun #murdermystery #bookclub

    42 min
  4. The Fastest Way to Get Fired from a Dig | Relics: A Faye Longchamp Mystery (Part 3 of 5)

    Apr 15

    The Fastest Way to Get Fired from a Dig | Relics: A Faye Longchamp Mystery (Part 3 of 5)

    Destroying an artifact will do it, especially on an archaeological dig. In this episode, Barbara and Tristan continue "Relics" by Mary Anna Evans (Ch. 11–13), an archaeology-themed murder mystery. The mystery keeps building, the fieldwork drama escalates, and we break down the real-world archaeology and crew dynamics behind what’s happening on the page; all while puzzling our way through a story with genuinely fun characters. ____ Support the show! https://www.fpan.us/give/ #archaeologybooksforfun #murdermystery #bookclub

    42 min
  5. Accident or Murder? A Fire and a Troubled Dig Site | Relics: A Faye Longchamp Mystery (Part 2 of 5)

    Apr 1

    Accident or Murder? A Fire and a Troubled Dig Site | Relics: A Faye Longchamp Mystery (Part 2 of 5)

    Was it a murder, or an accident? In part 2 (Ch. 6-10) of Mary Anna Evans' archaeology murder mystery "Relics" kicks off the mystery, while still giving Barbara and Tristan plenty of archaeology to dig into along the way. After a near-disaster of a date and a deadly bunkhouse fire, Faye finds yet another disaster in the “excavation” work done so far. ____ Support the show! https://www.fpan.us/give/

    42 min
  6. This Dig Has a Murder... and Nobody's Dead (Yet) | Relics: A Faye Longchamp Mystery (Part 1 of 5)

    Mar 15

    This Dig Has a Murder... and Nobody's Dead (Yet) | Relics: A Faye Longchamp Mystery (Part 1 of 5)

    "Relics" by Mary Anna Evans is an archaeology-themed murder mystery, and we’re reading Chapters 1-5. What do “buffalo wallows” have to do with archaeology? Unfortunately… more than they should in this episode. We're kicking off the archaeology-themed murder mystery "Relics" by Mary Anna Evans (Ch. 1–5) and, even though nobody dies (yet), an archaeological site has still been murdered. Archaeologists Barbara and Tristan talk about why no excavation should ever be described as a “buffalo wallow,” a few modern trends in community archaeology, and the realities of working under an archaeologist who shouldn’t be making decisions. The early mystery setup had us so hooked we briefly forgot we’re reading a murder mystery. In part 2, we’ll continue the story and see what kind of “murder” shows up first. ___ Catch up on the first book: "Artifacts" Episode 1: https://youtu.be/TZro0WllkrU ____ Support the show! https://www.fpan.us/give/ #archaeologybooksforfun #murdermystery #archaeology #bookpodcast

    39 min
  7. How Did Ancient People Transport Horses Across the Sea? | Hoof Beats (Part 4 of 4)

    Mar 1

    How Did Ancient People Transport Horses Across the Sea? | Hoof Beats (Part 4 of 4)

    Ancient horse history and archaeology: how horses spread across the ancient world, by sea to Japan, the Americas, Australasia, and even (briefly) Antarctica. With one boat, one horse, two rowers. Not the most efficient, but it was the best choice at the time. In this final Hoof Beats episode, Barbara and Tristan bring the story of humans and horses to the present. We cover how horses reached every continent, how different cultures adopted and adapted them, the huge cultural impacts, and Indigenous horse cultures in the Americas and Australasia. We also look at how steam power and later gas-powered transport reshaped horses’ roles. Next up: Mary Anna Evans’ Relics. Support the show: https://www.fpan.us/give/

    31 min
  8. The Awkward Transition From Chariots to Horseback Riding | Hoof Beats (Part 3 of 4)

    Feb 15

    The Awkward Transition From Chariots to Horseback Riding | Hoof Beats (Part 3 of 4)

    How do you go from chariots to horseback riding? Archaeologists Barbara and Tristan explore what archaeology says about early horse riding, the development of bridles and other riding gear, and how horses reshaped power in the ancient world. And then there’s the weird, awkward transition stage: ancient Assyrian art shows two horses tethered together with a rider on each, one steering and one fighting. A truly wild way to learn to ride. ____ Stingray Tom's Florida episode on ancient mounds and middens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD-Y-N5kNN4 ____ Support the show! https://www.fpan.us/give/ #archaeologybooksforfun #horsehistory #horseriding

    28 min
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5
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About

An archaeology podcast and book club where archaeologists Barbara and Tristan read and discuss archaeology books that make the ancient past approachable and fun. This bi-weekly archaeology podcast draws on over 40 years of combined experience. Archaeology Books for Fun explores ancient civilizations, archaeological mysteries, “lost” cities, and popular myths. Topics range from the illicit artifact trade to ancient aliens and Atlantis, from high-tech LiDAR discoveries to the occasional murder mysteries. Winner of the 2024 Tallahassee Trust for Historic Preservation Education Award.

Information

  • Creator
    Florida Public Archaeology Network - North Central
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Florida Public Archaeology Network - North Central
  • Show Website
    Archaeology Books for Fun