Story Archaeology

Chris Thompson and Isolde Carmody
Story Archaeology

Story Archaeology combines the knowledge and skills of the storyteller with academic exploration of ancient texts. The main focus is the Irish tradition but at https://storyarchaeology.com, you will find an archive of podcast articles, stories and translations as well as new podcast conversations with people from around the world who have ‘Stories in the Landscape’ to share.

  1. JAN 12

    Chris’ Ramble 15 ~ Lament for the Ash

    Leafless Ash in June (background) The effects of the die-back disease are slowly destroying most of Ireland's beautiful ash trees. Join Chris as she explores the sad story of this tree-tragedy that began in Leitrim more than a decade ago now and why it is important that everyone should know what is happening to our woodlands. The rot in the heartwood. Links for this episode Explore Ireland's native trees: The Tree Council of Ireland Find out more about CRANN and its current activities: Trees for Ireland Find out more about COILLTE and the projects they support today. Read what TEAGASC have to say about Ash dieback and the future of Ash trees. Trees in Early Ireland by Fergus Kelly: Download the PDF to find out more about early medieval Irish law concerning trees

    24 min

  2. 12/18/2024

    A conversation with Professor Lisa Bitel

    Lisa Bitel is a Professor of Religion and a Medieval historian specializing in Britain and Ireland. and is the author of her new book 'Otherworld'. Join Chris and Lisa as they explore some favourite stories and discuss how best to contintinue the transmission of these wonderful tales, from the deep past, to an audience today. Links for this episode Read more abour Lisa's book Otherworld, Nine tales of early Irish literature Explore more of Lisa's publicaions Story Archaeology Links Our conversation references a number of different stories and story cycles. Explore all the podcast links to episodes about Etain and Midir and Bricriu's feast (This episode was uploaded after a 22 hour power outage, immediately before I flew to the UK for Xmas. If there prove to be minor editing issues, they will be corected shortly)

    49 min

  3. 12/04/2024

    The Uí Máine Project~ A Conversation with Liam Kildea, Nicola Bowes and Paula Sharkey.

    Designed to protect and celebrate the unique Karst landscape of South Roscommon and its embedded mythologies and stories, the Uí Máine community project has grown and developed from the inspired work of three main groups, The Celtic Eye art group, the Karst Farming group and the Taughmaconnell Hall, community. Join Chris as she discovers more about their on-going achievements and awards. Links for this podcast Listen to the podcast A Conversation with Niola Bowes and Rosemary Carty from the Celtic Eye arts group. Find out about Celtic Eye Find out more about the Karst landscape project. View some of Uí Máine Project recent events. Find out more about the geological survey of south Roscommon Find out more on the The Uí Máine Project gallery page (available shortly) karst regions in Ireland

    46 min

  4. 10/31/2024

    Samhain Special: Corpse Carrying For Beginners

    An Acallam na nÉces Samhain Special In this seasonal special, the Story Archaeologists compare two stories of Samhain.  But what could such stories tell us about life 100 or even 1,000 years ago? Find out as the Story Archaeologists, Chris and Isolde, go digging one dark night. I am reposting this episode, one of my personal favourites and one of the most popular, ever. Links for this Episode http://archive.org/details/legendsofsaintss00hyde - Legends of Saints and Sinners (Douglas Hyde). http://archive.org/details/fairyandfolktale33887gut - Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry (W. B. Yeats). http://www.celt.dias.ie/publications/celtica/c21.html - Celtica Vol. 21. The journal of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies; School of Celtic Studies (includes the article Echtrae Nerai and its analogues by Seán Ó Coileáin pp. 427–440).

    1h 22m

  5. 10/27/2024

    Chris’s Ramble 14: Introducing Banbha

    Banbha Banbha is one of the three Dé Danann sisters, daughters of Ernmas, who gave their names to the land of Ireland, Ériu is the best known of the the three but Banbha has another, older, and less well known story to tell. Join Chris as she celebrates the birth of a new granddaughter named Banbha. Links for this episode Take a look at the translation of The book of Invasions, The Lebor Gabála The Lebor Gabála Érenn at a Glance: an Overview of the 11th Century Irish Book of Invasions. Author: Lloyd D. Graham. This is a very useful aid to gaining a handle on the interactions and familial connections of the characters. It includes very helpful tables and even graphs . The Irish National Origin-Legend: Synthetic Pseudohistory Author: John CareyThis is an excellent paper concerning how and why the Lebor Gabála Érenn may have been constructed. It was written a few years ago now but it is still rvery informative. Otherworld Women in Early Irish Literature Author: Heather C KayI only discovered this wonderful paper as I was completing this episode. I will be referencing it again, I am quite certain.. Story Archaeology links for this episode For information on the Cath Maige Tuired or check out these links for texts. Creation Stories: A comparison of the Book of Invasions with other foundation stories. For the story of the two quarreling poet swineherds and bertayal of birth customs in the Táin cycle go to Series 6 'Circling the Táin' through the top navigation or through the link. For a new 'take' on the Lebor Gabála Érenn listen to the Stories in the Landscape conversation ‘The Writing of the Takings’.with Jamie Madden

    26 min

  6. 10/20/2024

    Exploring Samhain: A glimpse into the past

    The festival of Samhain, is one that has been celebrated, in one form or another, for a very long time. In the early Irish stories it was a time for gatherings and feasting. But how has it changed in more recent times? Join Chris as she explores The 'Schools' Folklore collection'' finding some fascinating Halloween tales. Links for this episode Take a look at Allison's Gilbari's paper The Landscape of Halloween: A study of the landscape of Irish Halloween folklore and archaeology. I will be coming back to this excellent paper, soon, in Ramble 14 Find out about the Halloween tradition of 'Souling' Take a listen to the 'Soul Cake' song. Take a look at a very interesting map illustrating the number of places in the world where Halloween is now celebrated. And, of course, explore the Schools' Collection for yourself. Story Archaeology Links for this episode Stories to Remember : More about the Schools' Collection The Voyage of Mael Duin (and the sticky ball of wool!) And take a listen to my favourite Samhain podcast 'special': Corpse Carrying for Beginners

    38 min

  7. 08/27/2024

    Chris’ Ramble 12: The Rider on the River

    Designed by Morgane Suquart for 'Paris 24' Olympics opening ceremony. This 'Ramble' is inpired by the silver rider on the River Seine at the Paris 24 Olympics. So join Chris as she explores the history and mythology of three great rivers, the Seine, the Severn and the Shannon and discovers just how their stories may just meander together. Explore a gallery page of images of places explored in this podcast. A selection of 'Story Archaeolgy' links for this episode Sinann podcast conversation Sinann in the Metrical Dindshenchas The dindshencas poems ÁTH LÍAC FIND Medb and her sisters Imbás: Poetry, Knowledge and Inspiration The Romano British temple at Lydney The Fisher King And a few External Links A useful article on Sequana The Pocklington Chariot excavation The Lochnashade trumpets EX Voto items from Sequana temple complex (Dijon).

    42 min

  8. 08/15/2024

    Chris’ Ramble 11: Romancing the Neolithic Stone

    New Scientific evidence supporting the origin of the altar stone at Stonhenge supports a better understanding of the of societal connections and collaborative co-operation to be found between the communities of early neolithic farmers throughout Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. Join Chris in this new ramble and share her excitement! Links for this Episode Listen to 'A Conversation with Anthony Murphy' (This conversation is referenced throughout this Ramble) News of the new evidence on the Altar stone, Stonehenge from the BBC News of the discovery from 'The Guardian.' A short youtube video on the discovery. Further information on the discovery of the original bluestones location in Wales, This is the article that I quote in the podcast.

    21 min
See All (118)

4.7
out of 5
57 Ratings

About

Story Archaeology combines the knowledge and skills of the storyteller with academic exploration of ancient texts. The main focus is the Irish tradition but at https://storyarchaeology.com, you will find an archive of podcast articles, stories and translations as well as new podcast conversations with people from around the world who have ‘Stories in the Landscape’ to share.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Thompson and Isolde Carmody
  • Years Active
    2012 - 2025
  • Episodes
    118
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © storyarchaeolgy.com by Chris Thompson and Isolde Carmody is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
  • Show Website
    Story Archaeology

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