In this second installment of the archaeology of cutlery, Jessica and Matilda discuss the evolution of spoons. From the earliest scoop with a shell to the latest intricately carved wooden love spoon, these objects have become a huge part of human society all around the world. But how much do we actually know about the (pre)history of spoons? Tune in to find out!
Jul 14
43 min
Join Jessica and Matilda as they dive into the first installment of a mini series on the everyday archaeology of cutlery, starting with knives! But what exactly is a knife, and how can we recognise it in the archaeological and historic records? Together, our hosts discuss the difference between swords and knives, the benefits of flint while travelling, and why iron and copper hate each other.
Jun 30
37 min
It’s time for a new era of Tea-break Archaeology, as we introduce the new co-host, Jessica van Dam! Together, Jessica and Matilda discuss their backgrounds in archaeology and conservation, and how their experience led them to specialise in historic and prehistoric objects. Listen in to hear them chat about blacksmithing versus crochet, Korean multi-purpose knives from the 1800s, and misaligned drilling holes in amber beads!
Jun 16
37 min
Have you ever wondered how far back modern skin-care recipes can be traced? It turns out, pretty far! Join Matilda and guest Katie Chin-Quee in the second part of their discussion all about ancient skin care. This episode, Katie shares some of the experimental archaeology that she has conducted with different ancient recipes, and why some ingredients are best left in the past!
Jun 2
35 min
In this episode, take a step back from the hustle and bustle of daily life to practice a little bit of self care and join Matilda and her guest Katie Chin-Quee in this latest exploration of the archaeology of everyday things. Katie shares the many twists and turns of the path that led her to a career in archaeology, and how she became involved with the particular topic of ancient skin-care. Together, they chat about the issues with supposedly “feminine” research topics, and why branching out on digital platforms can be a great way to develop your science communication skills.
May 19
33 min
It’s time for part two of Matilda’s discussion with Jessica van Dam all about the archaeology of knitting! This time, the two discuss the social history of knitting and how it is perceived in the modern world, as well as the importance of maintaining crafting traditions and physical communities.
May 5
40 min
Following on in the same theme as the last few episodes, Matilda chats with guest Jessica van Dam all about the crafting practice and archaeology of knitting. Tune in as they discuss different knitting techniques and approaches, share insights into the oldest physical and written evidence for knitting, and come up with a brand new experimental archaeology project focused on knitting needles!
Apr 21
39 min
It’s time for part two of Matilda’s chat with textile archaeologist Ronja Lau! After discussing the background to Ronja’s current work in the Duerrnberg salt mines, the two delve deeper (pun intended) into the most interesting and surprising results of the project. Spoiler alert: it turns out that Iron Age Duerrnbergians enjoyed the look of a purple pin-striped suit!
Apr 7
31 min
It’s time to venture into the mines! But make sure you are well dressed… This episode, Matilda chats with textile archaeologist Ronja Lau all about her work looking at Iron Age clothing from the Duerrnberg salt mines. Tune in to hear all about the history of textile archaeology, the importance of salt in preserving clothes, and why you should support archaeological research!
Mar 24
33 min
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!
Mar 10
33 min
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