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

    Archaeology of clothing - Ep 48

    As the seasons change, it’s time to swap out your wardrobes for those clothes that have been stuffed at the back of the shelf or in a box in the attic. And to celebrate this activity, Matilda dives this episode into the archaeology of clothing! But what actually is clothing? What is the oldest evidence we have for the creation of clothing? And what is the link between a bog, an artic tundra, and a desert? Tune in to find out! Transcripts https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/48 . Links Article on the history of fabrics Article on oldest stone needle Article on oldest bone needle Article on the oldest clothing Article on oldest bone tools used for leather working Article on the Tarkhan Dress Article on the oldest sewn hide Article on the evolution of dress and needles Contact the Host Email: matilda@thearchaeologiststeacup.com https://www.thearchaeologiststeacup.com insta: @the_archaeologists_teacup fb: /TheArchaeologistsTeacup twitter: @ArchaeoTeacup ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet APN Shop Affiliates Motion 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. FEB 24

    Gladiator training with Svenja Fabian (part 2) - Ep 47

    It’s time for part two of Matilda’s chat with ex-gladiatrix Svenja Fabian all about the topic of gladiatorial training! But how exactly would gladiators have trained in the past? Could anyone have become a gladiator? And what’s the ancient Roman equivalent of a sport’s bra? Listen in to find out the answers and much more! Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/47 Links Epitoma rei militaris Svenja’s academia page Svenja’s instagram EXARC website Contact the Host Email: matilda@thearchaeologiststeacup.com https://www.thearchaeologiststeacup.com insta: @the_archaeologists_teacup fb: /TheArchaeologistsTeacup twitter: @ArchaeoTeacup ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet APN Shop Affiliates Motion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    33 min

  3. FEB 10

    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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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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