Tea-Break Archaeology

Archaeology Pod Network
  • 5.0 (4)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

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. 3D AGO

    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

  2. JAN 27

    Archaeological Methods: Experimental Archaeology - Ep 45

    Following the popularity of the previously coined “Tea-break Time Travel Training”, Matilda focuses in this episode on a commonly used method in archaeological research: Experimental Archaeology. Listen in to hear what experimental is, its origins and development, its strengths and weaknesses, and how it all started for Matilda with an afternoon of throwing prehistoric spears in a public park in Aberdeen! TranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/45 LinksInternational Society for Experimental ArchaeologyJournal of Experimental ArchaeologyThe Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons and Ornaments, of Great Britain by John EvansStudies in Human-Thing Entanglement by Ian HodderEpisode 13 of And My Trowel (processualism and post-processualism)Publications and projects list for all Matilda’s research (scroll to bottom of the page)Contact 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/archpodnetTee Public Store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/archaeology-podcast-network?ref_id=5724AffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    36 min

  3. 12/30/2025

    APN10 bonus recording (part 2) - Ep 44

    To celebrate 10 years of the APN, Matilda joined the #APN10 live event on 24th November 2024 to record a very special episode called “Tea-break 20 Questions”! Spoiler alert - get used to seeing this format pop up a bit more regularly for live events because it was a lot of fun! Joining the episode were Emma Jones (of Ancient Craft UK / Prehistoric Jewellery) and Raven Todd DaSilva (of Dig It With Raven), who each tried to guess which object the other had brought in. Tune in for an episode filled with fun, frustration, and fantastic questions! LinksAncient Craft UK web shopPrehistoric Jewellery instagramDig It With Raven websiteThe Other Ancient Civilizations goodreadsWorld of Stonehenge Exhibition homepageContact 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/archpodnetTee Public Store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/archaeology-podcast-network?ref_id=5724AffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    32 min

  4. 12/16/2025

    APN10 bonus recording (part 1) - Ep 43

    To celebrate 10 years of the APN, Matilda joined the #APN10 live event on 24th November 2024 to record a very special episode called “Tea-break 20 Questions”! Spoiler alert - get used to seeing this format pop up a bit more regularly for future live events because it was a lot of fun! Joining the episode were Emma Jones (of Ancient Craft UK / Prehistoric Jewellery) and Raven Todd DaSilva (of Dig It With Raven), who each tried to guess which object the other had brought in. Tune in for an episode filled with fun, frustration, and fantastic questions! LinksAncient Craft UK web shopPrehistoric Jewellery instagramDig It With Raven websiteThe Other Ancient Civilizations goodreadsWorld of Stonehenge Exhibition homepageContact 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/archpodnetTee Public Store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/archaeology-podcast-network?ref_id=5724AffiliatesMotion 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. 12/02/2025

    The Archaeology of Stone Tools - Ep 42

    In this episode Matilda is diving far back into the earliest depths of human history to discuss when we first developed our love of stuff. From chimpanzee termite-fishing to complex flint-knapping technology, she explores how technological traditions developed alongside our own human evolution. Tune in to hear all about core preparation, mode classifications, and why we might soon need a capuchin monkey archaeologist. TranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/42 LinksDr James Dilley using the levallois techniqueDr James Dilley demonstrating flint knapping techniquesJane Goodall describing chimpanzee tool useCapuchins using stone tools for 1000s of yearsPaper on Oldowan technologyFlint daggerContact 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/archpodnetTee Public StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    34 min

  6. 11/18/2025

    The Voynich Manuscript with Dr Lisa Fagin Davis (part 2) - Ep 41

    It’s part 2 of Matilda’s chat with expert paleographer Dr Lisa Fagin Davis, as we dive deeper into the fascinating research that has been done on the Voynich Manuscript. Tune in to learn about the exciting results revealed through multi-spectral imaging, how you too can start researching a mysterious object, and what the link is between Voynich and the Avengers! TranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/41 LinksLisa’s blog post on multi-spectral imagingFBI file on Wilfrid VoynichLisa’s article: “How Many Glyphs and How Many Scribes?”Marvel Comic on Voynich - excerptMedieval Academy of America websiteRare Book School websiteLisa’s BlueskyContact 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/archpodnetTee Public Store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/archaeology-podcast-network?ref_id=5724AffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    40 min

  7. 11/04/2025

    The Voynich Manuscript with Dr Lisa Fagin Davis (part 1) - Ep 40

    This episode, Matilda dives into the world of medieval manuscripts, accompanied by an expert in manuscript studies and palaeography: Dr Lisa Fagin Davis. Together, they discuss one of the most studied and yet most mysterious of medieval objects - the Voynich Manuscript. So much intrigue surrounds this extremely well-travelled manuscript, but what do we actually know about it? How does one study it? And why aren’t we allowed to wear gloves? Tune in to find out! TranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/40 LinksDigitised Voynich ManuscriptLisa’s blog post on CodicologyBook by Raymond ClemensBeinecke Library - Voynich Manuscript webpageBritish Library blog post no glovesRare Book School websiteSimmons Uni School of Library and Information Science websiteLisa’s BlueskyContact 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/archpodnetTee Public Store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/archaeology-podcast-network?ref_id=5724AffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    35 min

  8. 10/21/2025

    Pasts and Crafts: Book binding with Alexandra Sebire (part 2) - Ep 39

    It’s part two of Matilda’s tea-break with Alexandra Sebire as the two chat about the traditional craft of book binding. In this episode, we dive a little deeper into the history and development of book binding, and Alexandra shares more about the different projects she’s working in, and why you don’t always have to take the traditional path. TranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/39 LinksSolemniko website“To be adorned” crochet websiteList of endangered heritage craftsBrevarium BartholomeiContact the HostEmail: matilda@thearchaeologiststeacup.comWebsiteInstagramNewsletterArchPodNetAPN 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/archpodnetTee Public Store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/archaeology-podcast-network?ref_id=5724AffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 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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