Curiosity Meets The Past

Dr. Smiti Nathan
  • 4.1 (79)
  • History
  • Updated Biweekly

Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Hosted by archaeologist Dr. Smiti Nathan, each episode features conversations with researchers, artists, and folx from diverse backgrounds who uncover unexpected stories behind objects, places, and people. No background in history or archaeology needed - just your curiosity. Learn more at smitinathan.com/podcast Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/curiositymeetsthepast/ Cover art by Laura Fajín Riveiro & theme music by Noor Hanania

  1. 1h ago ·  Video

    Reading Fiction With An Archaeology Book Club

    What happens when archaeologists and archaeology lovers read novels together? Archaeologist and journalist Dr. Matilda Siebrecht shares how and why she started an archaeology book club. In our conversation, we discuss fiction as a lens for thinking critically about the past, what makes for good depictions of archaeology, and which books Tilly highly recommends. Mentioned on the show: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_archaeologists_teacup/ • Website: https://www.thearchaeologiststeacup.com/ • Archaeo Book Club: http://Archaeobookclub.com • Books Mentioned: https://bookshop.org/shop/smiti-nathan 📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/reading-fiction-with-an-archaeology-book-club/ 🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan ✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com 🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

  2. 6d ago ·  Video

    What Animal Bones Reveal About Life in 19th-Century New York

    What can animal bones reveal about the daily lives of working-class communities in 19th-century New York City? Archaeologist and zooarchaeologist Dr. Pam Crabtree guides us through her research at two sites in Lower Manhattan: Five Points and Corlears Hook. In our conversation, she walks us through what working-class people ate, some surprising finds, and how these finds can change our perception of New York City in the past. Mentioned on the show: • Pam's Email: pc4@nyu.edu • New York Archaeological Repository: https://archaeology.cityofnewyork.us/ 📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/what-animal-bones-reveal-about-life-in-19th-century-new-york/ 🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan ✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com 🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

  3. Oct 16 ·  Bonus Video

    Curiosity Exchange x The Dirt Diaries: Cursing the Competition

    This Curiosity Exchange is with The Dirt Diaries! For the full episode of this excerpt: YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/kYoTtKRIgEE?si=PtQ9Fz2ZlQ8PhU_c ⁠ Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cursing-the-competition-doing-anything-for-the-ancient-win/id1739162065?i=1000763043061 The Dirt Diaries podcast: https://pod1.co/thedirtdiaries #archaeology #archaeologist #podcast // More Resources 🔗 🎁 Bonus content: patreon.com/smitinathan 📩 Email notifications for new episodes: https://field-notes-by-smiti-nathan.kit.com/3e5792597b ✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com // About The Podcast 🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a curated conversation (30min or under) with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people. // Who Am I? 🙋🏾 Hi! I’m Smiti. I've studied and traveled the world doing archaeology for the past 20+ years [yes, I have a Ph.D. in it :)]. While I still do research, I love sharing what we do beyond academic journal articles. // Acknowledgements 🙌🏾 Thanks to Noor Hanania for creating the theme music and Laura F. Riveiro for creating the podcast cover art.

  4. Oct 13 ·  Video

    The Careful Choices Behind Bronze Age Aegean Weapons

    What can ancient weapons reveal about the choices people made in the past? Archaeologist and art historian, Dr. Tenninger Kellenbarger, guides us through the world of Bronze Age Aegean weaponry. In our conversation, we explore ancient choices that impacted how far these objects traveled, the curious places we do and don't find them, as well as what it means for a weapon to die. Mentioned on the show: • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the.Dirt.Diaries • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dirtdiaries_/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dirtdiaries_?lang=en • More Ways to Connect: https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn 📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/the-careful-choices-behind-bronze-age-aegean-weapons/ 🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan ✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com 🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

  5. Oct 6 ·  Video

    How This Bioarchaeologist Connects Maryland's Past to Its Present

    How can we learn about people who lived centuries ago, but were not included in typical written records? Biocultural anthropologist, Alex McDougle, guides us through her work on free and enslaved Black communities in Maryland during the 1700s and 1800s. In our conversation, she shares how she approaches bioarchaeology, her collaborations with descendant communities, and the present-day implications of her work. Mentioned on the show: • Alex's Website: https://alexandramcdougle.com/ • Goshen Farm: https://goshenfarm.org/about-goshen-farm/african-american-heritage/ • 50x50 Science Across America Project: https://5050science.com/ 📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/how-this-bioarchaeologist-connects-marylands-past-to-its-present/ 🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan ✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com 🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people. ⭐ In this episode, I’m representing the state of Maryland in 50x50: Science Across America. This is a national series, with 50 creators meeting 50 scientists, one pair in each state, to discuss science happening in communities all across the country. It is a production of the Independent Media Initiative in collaboration with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Winn Family Foundation.

  6. Jun 24 ·  Bonus Video

    One Year Anniversary Update for Curiosity Meets the Past

    We've been around for 1 year! Sharing some highlights and updates in this bonus episode. Mentioned in the episode: Video on podcasting challenges: https://youtu.be/COOhPl9eEJg?si=gNCIPaVDbARIiTHJCuriosity Meets the Past Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiositymeetsthepast 🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan ✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com 🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

  7. Jun 19 ·  Bonus Video

    Curiosity Exchange x Broadcast Seeding: Gender Violence in Late Antiquity

    Mentioned on the show: Full episode (website): https://sowingtheseed.org/podcast/episode-21-gender-violence-in-late-antiquity-with-dr-jennifer-barry/ Full episode (Apple Podcasts): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/broadcast-seeding-ep21-with-dr-jennifer-barry/id1096448667?i=1000734336759 Broadcast Seeding Podcast website: https://sowingtheseed.org/podcast/ 🎁 Bonus content: ⁠https://patreon.com/smitinathan⁠ ✉️ Get in touch at ⁠podcast@smitinathan.com⁠ 🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

  8. Jun 16 ·  Video

    Decoding Diaspora Through a Family Scrapbook

    What can a crumbling family scrapbook reveal about history and the way diasporic communities make meaning? Religious scholar, Dr. Richard Newton, guides us through the surprising story of how a scrapbook handed to him by his mother became the catalyst for an entire research project. In our conversation, he walks us through what he found when he opened the book and how he's making this project accessible to anyone who's curious. Mentioned on the show: • Scrapbook Website: https://decodingdiaspora.org/decoding-diaspora/index • Richard's Website: https://sowingtheseed.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedpods • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/seedpods.bsky.social • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seedpods/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seedpods 📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/decoding-diaspora-through-a-family-scrapbook/ 🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan ✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com 🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

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4.1
out of 5
79 Ratings

About

Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Hosted by archaeologist Dr. Smiti Nathan, each episode features conversations with researchers, artists, and folx from diverse backgrounds who uncover unexpected stories behind objects, places, and people. No background in history or archaeology needed - just your curiosity. Learn more at smitinathan.com/podcast Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/curiositymeetsthepast/ Cover art by Laura Fajín Riveiro & theme music by Noor Hanania

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Smiti Nathan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Smiti Nathan
  • Show Website
    Curiosity Meets The Past

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