The Paleo Post Podcast

World of PaleoAnth
  • 4.5 (22)
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The Paleo Post Podcast, launched by the World of Paleoanthropology, dives deep into the fascinating world of human evolution. Initially hosted by National Geographic Explorer and rock art expert Genevieve von Petzinger, alongside science communicator and World of Paleoanthropology founder Seth Chagi, the podcast captivated audiences with its engaging format. Each episode, released roughly weekly, tackled three different topics, delving into the latest news, discoveries, and research in paleoanthropology, from genetics to captivating cave art.

  1. Neanderthal Country? Think Again — Europe as a Crossroads of Art and Evolution

    10/24/2025

    Neanderthal Country? Think Again — Europe as a Crossroads of Art and Evolution

    Europe wasn’t just “Neanderthal country”—it was a crossroads. In this episode of The Paleo Post Podcast, Seth hangs out with Genevieve von Petzinger and Barbara Oosterwijk as they tour the Middle Pleistocene and the deep history of color, art, and… yes… spray-painting cave walls. George is out this week (speedy return, Sir George!), but the fossil gossip is strong. What’s inside: • Petralona Cave (Greece): new dates (~200–300 ka) place this skull smack in the transition toward Neanderthals—right when Apidima’s early Homo sapiens shows up nearby. Crossroads, not cul-de-sac. • Show-and-tell skulls: Kabwe/Broken Hill (Heidelbergensis s.l.) vs. La Chapelle-aux-Saints (Neanderthal) vs. modern human—why “square” vs. “round” orbits matter. • Climate + movement: dry pulses ~300 ka and what they may have done to hominin ranges. • Blue before “blue”: Dzudzuana Cave’s dyed flax fibers and indigo processing; Mal’ta (Siberia) figurines with blue/green pigments—Ice Age palettes were more vibrant than we think. • Embodied markings: hand stencils, finger dots, and sprayed disks from El Castillo, Pech-Merle, Ardales, and more—how people used mouths, hands, and bone tubes to mark risky, meaningful places underground. • Neanderthals as teachers? A playful debate on knowledge flow between neighboring species. Cold open: life in a blast furnace (Abu Dhabi/Death Valley), fogged sunglasses, and why fieldwork snacks matter. Join the conversation: Did Neanderthals and modern humans swap art techniques, or did similar ideas emerge twice? What surprised you more—blue thread or thumb-only stencils? Subscribe for new episodes, drop your questions for next week’s topic (the ever-earlier bow-and-arrow story!), and share with a friend who thinks Paleolithic fashion stopped at “brown.” #PaleoPostPodcast #HumanOrigins #Archaeology

    1 hr
  2. Unearthing a New Human Ancestor: Dr. Brian Villmoare on the Ledi-Geraru Discovery

    10/03/2025

    Unearthing a New Human Ancestor: Dr. Brian Villmoare on the Ledi-Geraru Discovery

    In this episode of the Paleo Post Podcast, Seth and Gen sit down with Dr. Brian Villmoare, lead of the team behind the groundbreaking discovery at Ledi-Geraru, Ethiopia—the site that gave us an entirely new Australopithecus species! We dig into the excitement of the find, behind-the-scenes stories from the field, and the bigger picture: what this fossil means for the human family tree. Expect insights, surprises, and a few secrets you won’t hear anywhere else. 💬 We’d love to hear from you! Do you think this discovery changes how we see the transition from Australopithecus to Homo? What other sites or species do you want us to cover on the show? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we’ll be reading them!

    1h 25m
  3. Digging sticks, Neanderthal fingerprints, and 78,000-year-old beach strolls—Episode 5 of the #PaleoPostPodcast is packed! 🌍🪵

    08/22/2025

    Digging sticks, Neanderthal fingerprints, and 78,000-year-old beach strolls—Episode 5 of the #PaleoPostPodcast is packed! 🌍🪵

    This week we explore the stunning discovery of 300,000-year-old wooden tools from China, revealing how ancient hominins shaped wood not just for hunting, but for digging and processing plants. We also revisit the world’s oldest human fingerprint—made by a Neanderthal—and dive into fresh research on Neanderthal footprints in Portugal, where an adult, child, and toddler once walked together along the sand. From ancient woodworking to family walks on Ice Age beaches, this episode shows just how creative and relatable our ancestors were. 🔗 Links to the research and more in the description below. 💡 Subscribe for more deep history stories and join the #PaleoClub! Supplementary materials – bone digging tools from Tanzania 1.5 mya https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08652-5 South Africa – termite and tuber digging bones (pushing 2 mya) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279888707_Additional_evidence_on_the_early_hominid_bone_tools_from_Swartkrans_with_reference_to_spatial_distribution_of_lithic_and_organic_artefacts Related Neanderthal Story – New Footprints in Portugal! 78,000 year old footprint – adult male with a child and a toddler ☺ https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/human-evolution/78-000-year-old-footprints-from-neanderthal-man-child-and-toddler-discovered-on-beach-in-portugal https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-06089-4 #PaleoPost #Archaeology #HumanEvolution #Neanderthals #AncientTools

    51 min
  4. What if the key to understanding human consciousness is etched in stone? 🧠🎨

    08/01/2025

    What if the key to understanding human consciousness is etched in stone? 🧠🎨

    In this unforgettable episode of the Paleo Post Podcast, co-host George Nash takes center stage with an inspiring conversation featuring Peter Robinson, Executive Officer of the Bradshaw Foundation—a leading figure in preserving and promoting the study of ancient rock art and humanity’s early creative expression. Peter Robinson has spent decades helping bring global attention to some of the world’s most enigmatic and powerful ancient artworks—from the cave panels of Europe to the mysterious Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) figures of Australia. He joins us to explore how early visual storytelling helps us answer some of humanity’s biggest questions: 🗿 Where did art come from? 👣 What does it say about the minds that made it? 🌍 Is this the very beginning of culture? Together, we dive into: The origins of symbolic behavior and artistic expression Why early art may hold the key to understanding what it means to be human The work of the Bradshaw Foundation and its global partnerships Insights into the spiritual, cognitive, and cultural power of rock art 🎧 Whether you’re an archaeologist, artist, philosopher, or just a curious soul, this episode will make you see humanity in a whole new way. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share—it helps more people discover the deep history of who we are. 🧠✨ New episodes of the #PaleoPostPodcast every week—where ancient stories meet modern minds. #HumanOrigins #RockArt #BradshawFoundation #PaleoPost #PeterRobinson #CaveArt #HumanEvolution #SymbolicThought #Podcast #Archaeology #ArtHistory #DeepHistory

    57 min
  5. 🌍 Exploring Colombia’s Ancient Rock Art: Secrets of the Amazon’s Painted Cliffs! | PaleoPost Podcast 🎨

    07/07/2025

    🌍 Exploring Colombia’s Ancient Rock Art: Secrets of the Amazon’s Painted Cliffs! | PaleoPost Podcast 🎨

    Join hosts Seth Chagi, Dr. Genevieve, Dr. George, and special guest Dr. Barbara Oosterveg as we journey deep into the Colombian Amazon to uncover one of the world’s most breathtaking archaeological marvels: the colossal rock art panels of Cerro Azul! 🏞️✨ In this thrilling episode of the PaleoPost Podcast, we dive into: ✅ The discovery and mapping of 10-meter-high, 100-meter-long rock art panels boasting over 3,200 paintings — from decorated handprints to therianthropic figures. ✅ The fascinating secrets behind embodied markings, ancient hand stencils, and what they reveal about prehistoric life. ✅ How hyperspectral imaging and experimental archaeology are revolutionizing our understanding of these ancient masterpieces. ✅ Insights into early South American settlement dating back 12,500 years, and what this means for debates around pre-Clovis migrations. ✅ The local myths, indigenous perspectives, and the essential role of community knowledge in interpreting rock art. ✅ The untold stories of harpy eagles, tapirs, and possible ritual scenes painted high above the rainforest canopy. 📢 Subscribe & Stay Curious! Like, share, and subscribe to the PaleoPost Podcast for more incredible explorations of human origins, art, and ancient stories from around the world. 🔔 🎉 Special shoutout to Don Bailey for his brilliant insight on hoofprints and rock art—thank you for inspiring this discussion! 👥 Connect with us! 📧 Email: worldofpaleoanthropology@gmail.com #PaleoPostPodcast #RockArt #Colombia #Paleoanthropology #AncientArt #HumanOrigins #CaveArt #Amazon #PreClovis #SciencePodcast

    1h 1m
  6. Sima del Elefante Fossil Surprise! | Rock Art & Homo Evolution | Paleo Post Ep. 002

    06/23/2025

    Sima del Elefante Fossil Surprise! | Rock Art & Homo Evolution | Paleo Post Ep. 002

    Join hosts Seth Chagi, Genevieve von Petzinger, and Dr. George Nash as we journey through deep time and unravel some of the most compelling mysteries of human evolution! 🚨 In this episode: • George Nash shares tales from his upcoming book on the rock art of Wales and Herefordshire—cut marks, Neolithic standing stones, and ancient earthworks galore! • We dive deep into the fossil record with new finds from Sima del Elefante in Spain—including the fascinating midface fossil nicknamed “Pink” (Homo affinis erectus) and discuss its implications for hominin migration and population replacement in Europe. • Seth breaks down the debate around naming new species based on partial remains—are we too quick to classify? • Genevieve explores the newly discovered 1.5-million-year-old tools in Iraq, adding a fresh pin to our hominin migration maps. • We discuss Green Arabia: Was the Arabian Peninsula a lush corridor for early human dispersals? 🌿 PLUS: Get a sneak peek into future plans as George and Genevieve prepare for fieldwork in Jordan and Petra, where they’ll explore multi-layered rock art and Bedouin oral histories of ancient green landscapes. 🎧 Whether you’re a seasoned anthropologist or just curious about your ancient ancestors, this episode is a must-listen. Don’t miss the cutting-edge science, field updates, humor, and insights from our globally connected paleo team. 📌 Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro & Season Kickoff 04:00 - George’s Rock Art Adventures in Wales 15:00 - Sima del Elefante & Homo affinis erectus 32:00 - The Mystery of Homo antecessor 42:00 - Green Arabia & the Climate-Migration Connection 54:00 - Hope, Optimism & Science Communication 👇 Like, Subscribe, and Share to support independent science communication! #PaleoPost #HumanOrigins #RockArt #FossilFriday #Paleoanthropology #AncientDNA #GreenArabia #WOPA #GenevieveVonPetzinger #GeorgeNash #SethChagi

    1h 1m
  7. Sima del Elefante Fossil Surprise! | Rock Art & Homo Evolution | Paleo Post Ep. 002

    06/23/2025

    Sima del Elefante Fossil Surprise! | Rock Art & Homo Evolution | Paleo Post Ep. 002

    Join hosts Seth Chagi, Genevieve von Petzinger, and Dr. George Nash as we journey through deep time and unravel some of the most compelling mysteries of human evolution! 🚨 In this episode: • George Nash shares tales from his upcoming book on the rock art of Wales and Herefordshire—cut marks, Neolithic standing stones, and ancient earthworks galore! • We dive deep into the fossil record with new finds from Sima del Elefante in Spain—including the fascinating midface fossil nicknamed “Pink” (Homo affinis erectus) and discuss its implications for hominin migration and population replacement in Europe. • Seth breaks down the debate around naming new species based on partial remains—are we too quick to classify? • Genevieve explores the newly discovered 1.5-million-year-old tools in Iraq, adding a fresh pin to our hominin migration maps. • We discuss Green Arabia: Was the Arabian Peninsula a lush corridor for early human dispersals? 🌿 PLUS: Get a sneak peek into future plans as George and Genevieve prepare for fieldwork in Jordan and Petra, where they’ll explore multi-layered rock art and Bedouin oral histories of ancient green landscapes. 🎧 Whether you’re a seasoned anthropologist or just curious about your ancient ancestors, this episode is a must-listen. Don’t miss the cutting-edge science, field updates, humor, and insights from our globally connected paleo team. 📌 Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro & Season Kickoff 04:00 - George’s Rock Art Adventures in Wales 15:00 - Sima del Elefante & Homo affinis erectus 32:00 - The Mystery of Homo antecessor 42:00 - Green Arabia & the Climate-Migration Connection 54:00 - Hope, Optimism & Science Communication 👇 Like, Subscribe, and Share to support independent science communication! #PaleoPost #HumanOrigins #RockArt #FossilFriday #Paleoanthropology #AncientDNA #GreenArabia #WOPA #GenevieveVonPetzinger #GeorgeNash #SethChagi

    1h 1m
  8. Season 4 Begins: From Cave Walls to Neural Nets

    05/30/2025

    Season 4 Begins: From Cave Walls to Neural Nets

    🎙️ Season 4 Premiere – The Paleo Post Podcast 🦴We’re BACK—with an all-star lineup and a brand-new season exploring what makes us us. Join hosts Seth Chagi, Dr. George Nash, and the inimitable Genevieve von Petzinger as we kick off a journey into paleoart, ancient cognition, deep history, and the role of AI in archaeology.Get updates on all of the Hosts, learn about the new fascinating dating sites of the Altamira Cave System, which changes a great deal of what we know, and much more! This episode sets the stage for a season packed with wild discoveries, philosophical questions, and behind-the-scenes insight into the science of human origins. From ancient symbols to futuristic tools, we’re connecting dots across time.🧠 In this episode:✨ Genevieve von Petzinger on decoding ancient symbols🗿 Dr. George Nash shares fieldwork stories (and cave obsessions)🎙️ Seth Chagi talks science communication and why this podcast matters🤖 Is AI the next big thing in archaeological research?🎨 What paleoart tells us about the evolution of the human mind👇 Let us know in the comments:What’s YOUR favorite ancient symbol—or the most human thing early humans ever did?📍 Timestamps:0:00 – Welcome to Season 4!3:45 – Genevieve’s journey and mission10:12 – George’s cave adventures18:00 – Seth on why paleoart still matters24:45 – Neanderthal art: yes or no?32:30 – AI in the field: tool or threat?40:00 – Teasers for upcoming episodes!🌍 Learn more: worldofpaleoanthropology.org📧 worldofpaleoanthropology@gmail.com🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all your favorite platforms!#PaleoPostPodcast #GenevieveVonPetzinger #Season4Premiere #PaleoArt #HumanOrigins #AIandArchaeology #NeanderthalCulture #DeepHistory #PaleoPost #PaleoClub

    56 min
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4.5
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About

The Paleo Post Podcast, launched by the World of Paleoanthropology, dives deep into the fascinating world of human evolution. Initially hosted by National Geographic Explorer and rock art expert Genevieve von Petzinger, alongside science communicator and World of Paleoanthropology founder Seth Chagi, the podcast captivated audiences with its engaging format. Each episode, released roughly weekly, tackled three different topics, delving into the latest news, discoveries, and research in paleoanthropology, from genetics to captivating cave art.

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