Curiosity Meets The Past
Hosted by archaeologist Dr. Smiti Nathan, this podcast explores the past through conversations with researchers, artists, and others. Each episode reveals unexpected stories behind objects, places, and people. No background in history or archaeology is required, just curiosity. The show aims to make the past accessible to curious minds.
Episodes
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
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/
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
The Archaeology Behind the English Alphabet
Where did the English alphabet come from, and how do we know? Linguist and writer, Dr. Danny Bate, guides us through the archaeology and linguistic history behind the letters many of us use every day. In our conversation, we explore what various archaeological artifacts reveal about the alphabet's past and what that means about our relationship to the English language today.Mentioned on the sh
Rethinking Water History at Shushtar in Iran
What can water systems tell us about people in the past and present? Landscape archaeologist, Dr. Mehrnoush Soroush, guides us through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shushtar in Iran and how her work is challenging dominant water history narratives. In our conversation, she shares the surprising challenges that come with studying ancient water systems, her somewhat nontraditional approach, and
The Curious History and Science of Blimps
Where did blimps come from, and why are we fascinated by them? Geneticist and blimp enthusiast, Dr. Alex Dainis, guides us through the history of these sky vessels, the science behind their design, and what it feels like to ride inside one. In our conversation, she shares what blimps reveal about the way we see the world around us and why they are still around today. Mentioned on the show:• Instag
What Archaeology Can Bring to the Classroom (and Beyond)
What can archaeology bring to the classroom and beyond? Archaeologist and filmmaker, Marc Barkman-Astles, guides us through the workshops he runs across England and Wales, the challenges he's encountered, and some of the delightful moments along the way. In our conversation, we explore how public archaeology can help us connect with the world around us.Mentioned on the show:Website: https://ar
The Ancient Deities People Called Upon
Which deities did ancient people call upon when they needed help? Assyriologist and public educator, Megan Lewis, guides us through some of the surprising sources scholars use to understand the gods and goddesses people turned to in the past. In our conversation, she shares what these sources reveal about how both people and deities have changed over time and why their stories still feel surprisin
The Making and Remaking of the Zodiac in Roman Egypt
What can ancient astrological handbooks tell us about the lives of women around 2000 years ago? Egyptologist, Dr. Lingxin Zhang, guides us through fragmented papyri, recycled temple documents, and what one woman did when she learned her family's fate. In our conversation, she shares what these texts reveal not only about the inner workings of the zodiac and astrosciences in Roman Egypt, but al
What 3D Modelling Reveals About the Past
What can we uncover about the past when we look at it in three dimensions? Archaeologist, Madeline Robinson, guides us through a shipwreck, ancient temples in Malta, and very tiny stone tools she has studied through 3D modelling. In our conversation, we explore what these methods reveal not only about the past, but also about who gets to access and engage with it.Mentioned on the show:Malta Articl
When Egyptian and Canaanite Temples Met
What can we learn when we look closely at temples that deviate from the “norm?" Archaeologist and Egyptologist Dr. Brooke Norton guides us through certain sacred spaces where we see a spectrum of ancient Egyptian and Canaanite traditions. In our conversation, we explore what these temples reveal not only about architecture and ritual, but also about the people behind them.Mentioned on the sho
Inside the Physics of Past Textile Techniques
What can we learn when we look at the physics of past textile techniques? Physicist, Dr. Sabetta Matsumoto, takes us inside the inner workings of an Egyptian knitted sock and other historical textile techniques, including embroidery and smocking. In our conversation, we explore what physics can reveal not only about the fabrics we create, but about the people behind them.Mentioned on the show:Sabe
Curiosity Exchange x History Daily: The Pirate Trial of 1720
Mentioned on the show:https://www.historydaily.com/ 🎁 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.
Curiosity Exchange x Legends and Lectures: Artifacts & Us
Mentioned on the show:Legends and Lectures full episode: https://youtu.be/3BNMMNliFiw?si=_H9eKZo3LlUW5at8Legends and Lectures podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhxPuNyz2_A9PvhtZ6y7w2EO9vSRVw5pU&si=qKOIIYNV6tpvrQVk 🎁 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
2025 Year-End Updates for Curiosity Meets the Past
Sharing some quick year-end updates as we close out 2025!🎁 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.
Unsealing the Past
What can small lumps of clay reveal about the past? Archaeologist Dr. Siobhan Shinn takes us inside her work on clay sealings from sites in Egypt and Sudan. These unassuming objects once secured letters, containers, and buildings, but they also preserve subtle traces that help us understand ancient administrative practices and the people behind them. In our conversation, we explore how careful obs
The Sound of Living Heritage
What can the sounds of everyday life reveal about the past? Podcast producer and host of ReCurrent, Jaime, brings us inside his storytelling process that connects sound and living heritage. Through examples from the field and from his own life, Jaime shows us how sound can bridge memory, identity, and place in ways we often overlook. Along the way, we explore how documenting the present, listening
How Archaeologists Are Rethinking 5,200 Andean Holes
What can over 5,200 holes carved into an Andean hillside reveal about ancient life? Digital archaeologist, Dr. Jacob Bongers, takes us inside his team’s new research at Monte Sierpe in Peru, including how their emerging hypothesis reshapes long-held ideas about the site’s purpose. And along the way, we talk about how archaeologists follow curiosity through evidence, collaboration, and community en
Reconnecting with Archaeology Through Giving Back
How can volunteering become a way back into archaeology? Archaeologist and research analyst, Dr. Sneh Patel, shares how volunteering in her hometown of Nashville helped her reconnect with teaching, community engagement, and the practice of archaeology itself. From guiding students through hands-on programs to navigating questions about science and ethics, we explore how public service can spark ne
What Tiny, Overlooked Bones Reveal About the Paleolithic
What can tiny, overlooked bones tell us about Paleolithic life, technology, and art? Archaeologist and paleoanthropologist, Dr. Giulia Gallo, reveals how these fragile fragments hold clues to both our past and that of our ancient relatives. From evidence of fire use to the burning of specific animal bones, we explore why these materials were once disregarded and how new techniques like ZooMS prote
Voice as a Record of Time
What can voice reveal about history, identity, and expression across time? Voice, accent, and communication coach Christine Adam shares how voice carries both personal and collective memory. We discuss what goes into preparing historically grounded performances, how vocal trends have shifted across eras, and what today’s voices might reveal about the world we live in now. Mentioned on the show:htt
Expanding Our View of the Ancient World
What can overlooked ancient civilizations teach us about connection, perspective, and the stories we choose to tell? Archaeologist and science communicator Raven Todd DaSilva shares this and more as we speak about her new book The Other Ancient Civilisations. We discuss why and how she spotlighted cultures often missing from mainstream narratives and what they reveal about humanity across time and
How Malta’s Ancient Monuments Still Capture Our Curiosity
What can Malta’s mysterious megalithic monuments teach us about curiosity, ritual, and the power of independent research? YouTuber Laura, a.k.a. MegalithHunter, shares what makes these archaeological sites both architecturally and culturally distinct. She also reflects on how her curiosity about the past shaped her educational journey and her approach to public storytelling.Mentioned on the show:L
Three Generations Shaping a Galician Artist’s Work
What can a multi-generational home in rural Galicia, Spain, reveal about memory, creativity, and connection? Multimedia artist Laura Fajín Riveiro reflects on how childhood artifacts, personal history, and the textures of Galicia continue to inspire her creative practice. Her work shows how engaging with the past can nurture both a deeper connection to the past and artistic expression in the prese
What Maps Reveal About Medieval Public Health
What can mapping tell us about public health in medieval cities? Archaeologist, Dr. Taylor Zaneri, uncovers revealing insights from medieval Bologna, from which activities drew the strictest regulation, to who was actually responsible for fixing them. Her work shows how archaeology, historical texts, and maps come together to reveal what was really happening on the ground.Mentioned on the show:Tay
Archaeology Discoveries That Deserve More Attention
Did you know some of the most fascinating archaeological discoveries never make the headlines? Rachel, from Inside Archaeology, shares overlooked finds from self-healing Roman concrete to surprising burials. We explore how interpretation, imagination, and new technologies shape the stories we tell about the past.Mentioned on the show:https://www.youtube.com/@Inside_Archaeology📝 Full transcript: ht
Designing Futures That Engage with the Past
What do we mean when we say “the past,” and how might those definitions shape the futures we imagine? Human-centered designer, Shanice Webb, shares how engaging with the past in different ways can offer surprising clarity when it comes to building what’s next.Mentioned on the show:Shanice’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanicewebb/📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/**designing-fut
What the Dead Still Mean to the Living in Iceland
What can human remains reveal about connection, identity, and community in Iceland? Biomedical anthropologist, Dr. Adam Netzer-Zimmer, shares how overlooked human remains are unearthing Iceland’s multifaceted relationship with the dead.Mentioned on the show:adamnetzerzimmer.comhttps://www.tiktok.com/@hrimey_learn📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/what-the-dead-still-mean-to-the-living-in-i
The Secret Past Lives of Words
What makes something a word, and who decides? Scholar, author, and podcaster, Michelle Franklin, joins us to explore the surprising origins of words like "púca" and "like," and how slang, dialect, and identity shape the way we communicate.Mentioned on the show:https://www.youtube.com/@authormichellefranklinhttps://www.instagram.com/authormichellefranklin/https://bsky.app/profile/michellefranklin.b
Uncovering Today’s Hidden Foodways Through Archaeology
What can archaeology reveal about overlooked food spaces? Dr. Katie Chiou shares how she applies archaeological thinking to explore hidden foodways in the American South, from campus dining halls to gas stations, and what they reveal about inequality, memory, and everyday life.Mentioned on the show:Katie’s Website: https://sites.ua.edu/kchiou/Katie’s Lab Website: https://sites.ua.edu/archaeobotany
How an Archaeology Project Actually Begins
What does it really take to start an archaeology project? In this episode, Dr. Ioana A. Dumitru, a digital landscape archaeologist, reveals how fieldwork actually begins. We dig into the moments that no one prepares you for and the relationships that truly shape the work.Mentioned on the show:CALOR Project Website: https://www.calorarchaeology.com/CALOR Project Instagram: https://www.instagram.com
Welcome to Curiosity Meets The Past
Welcome to Curiosity Meets The Past - a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. In this short intro episode, you’ll hear what the show is all about and what you can expect from future episodes.📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/welcome-to-curiosity-meets-the-past🎁 Bonus content: patreon.com/smitinathan📩 Email notifications for new episodes: https://field-notes-by-smiti-
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