Archaeology Books for Fun

Archaeology Books for Fun

By Florida Public Archaeology Network - North CentralHistory
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Archaeology Books for Fun episodes

  • Scorpion Kings and Bog Grog || Ancient Brews, 2 of 3

    As we continue our journey through Ancient Brews, we explore beverages once enjoyed by the Scorpion Kings of Egypt, the Etruscans, and even the Vikings! It's a story that spans five millennia, filled with flavor, history, and unexpected connections across time.

    Crack open this episode and drink in the history!

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    Want to support this podcast? Check out the donation link below!

    https://www.fpan.us/give/#podcast #archaeologybooksforfun #dogfishhead #scorpionking

    59 min
  • Space Booze and Ancient Brews || Ancient Brews, 1 of 3

    Join us as we crack open a brand-new book—Ancient Brews: Rediscovered and Re-Created by Patrick McGovern!

    McGovern, a biomolecular archaeologist, takes readers on a journey through time as he analyzes ancient beverages from around the world. Using chemistry, archaeology, and a little bit of guesswork, he partners with Dogfish Head Brewery to recreate these drinks in the modern day as part of their Ancient Ales series.

    In this episode, we explore the science behind the process and the fascinating stories behind two standout brews: Midas Touch and Chateau Jiahu.

    Archaeology, science, and beer—what more could you want?

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    Want to support the podcast? You can donate here:🔗 https://www.fpan.us/give/

    #archaeologybooksforfun #podcast #dogfishhead #brewery #AncientAles

    1 hr 6 min
  • Smol Cat Fits, Smol Cat Sits || The Nine Lives of Florida's Famous Key Marco Cat, 2 of 2

    In this episode, we wrap up The Nine Lives of Florida’s Famous Key Marco Cat with the story behind the cat’s discovery and the entertaining feud between the Penn Museum and the Smithsonian over who gets to keep it.From its moment in the archaeological spotlight to traveling the world in exhibitions, the Key Marco Cat has led quite a few adventurous lives—before finally returning (temporarily) home to the Marco Island Historical Museum in Florida.

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    Please note: The cat is only on display at the Marco Island Historical Museum for the next year—so if you want to see it in person, now's your chance!

    Can’t make the trip? Explore this incredible 3D model from the Smithsonian:

    🔗 https://3d.si.edu/object/3d/statuette-mountain-lion-or-panther-man-god-key-marco-cat%3A9868cadc-d331-4b13-9864-a1740df6e47f

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    Next week’s book: Ancient Brews: Rediscovered and Re-created by Patrick E. McGovern — get ready for some ancient alcohol adventures!

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    Want to support the podcast? You can donate here:🔗 https://www.fpan.us/give/

    #ArchaeologyBooksForFun #Podcast #KeyMarcoCat #MarcoIsland #FloridaArchaeology #MuseumLife #Smithsonian3D

    1 hr 6 min
  • Smol Cat, Big Questions || The Nine Lives of Florida's Famous Key Marco Cat, 1 of 2
    New Episode! New Book!
    This time, we're diving into "The Nine Lives of Florida's Famous Key Marco Cat". This 6-inch figurine—part cat (maybe), part man (maybe), part mystery (definitely)—is so iconic that it’s Florida’s official state artifact!
    Yet, despite its fame, so much about it remains unknown. How can such a small cat raise such big questions? Tune in to find out!
    Want to support this podcast? Check out the donation link below!
    https://www.fpan.us/give/
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    Smithsonian's Model:
    https://3d.si.edu/object/3d/statuette-mountain-lion-or-panther-man-god-key-marco-cat%3A9868cadc-d331-4b13-9864-a1740df6e47f
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    #archaeologybooksforfun #podcast #archaeology #FloridaArchaeolgoyMonth#marcoisland #KeyMarcoCat
    1 hr 2 min
  • Some Minor Criticisms || The Lost City of the Monkey God, Extra Episode

    Here it is—the actual final episode of "The Lost City of the Monkey God"!


    After several episodes of critiques, we felt we owed it to you, dear listeners, to seek out other perspectives on the book. So, what did we find? Did new insights change our minds? Was the book redeemed in the end?

    Tune in to find out!Our next book will be "The Nine Lives of Florida's Famous Key Marco Cat" by Austin J. Bell. This looks like a fun read!


    Want to support this podcast? Check out the donation link below!

    https://www.fpan.us/give/

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    Article Links “Did you even talk to the locals?”by Peter Stanton

    https://peterwstanton.medium.com/did-you-even-talk-to-the-locals-551a1805e2bc

    Review of "Lost City of the Monkey God"

    https://www.jasoncolavito.com/blog/review-of-lost-city-of-the-monkey-god-by-douglas-preston


    "The Lost City That’s Not Lost, Not a City, and Doesn’t Need to Be Discovered" by Chris Begley

    https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/la-ciudad-blanca-indigenous-collaboration/


    "Did a Recent Expedition Really Discover a “Lost City” in Honduras?" by Laura Clark
    https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/did-recent-expedition-really-discover-lost-city-honduras-180954559/


    "Letter from International Scholars: Archaeological Finds in Honduras"

    https://realhonduranarchaeology.wordpress.com/letter-from-international-scholars-archaeological-finds-in-honduras-2/


    Chris Begley’s website about the Mosquitia region.
    https://archaeomosquitia.wordpress.com/

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    Thumbnail image is partially generated by ChatGPT.

    #archaeologybooksforfun #podcast #bookreview

    52 min
  • A White (leprosy) Christmas || The Lost City of the Monkey God, 3 of 3

    This is it—the conclusion to the challenging journey that has been this book!


    In this final episode, the expedition members are struck by a mysterious malady. Is it the curse of the "lost" city? Or just the result of spending a week in the jungle?


    For those who’ve been following along, it won’t come as a surprise that the book doesn’t redeem itself in the end. While it’s been a tough read, it’s certainly given us plenty to talk about!


    Tune in to hear our final thoughts and wrap-up!__

    Want to support this podcast? Check out the donation link below!

    https://www.fpan.us/give/__#archaeology #podcast #archaeologybooksforfun

    1 hr 11 min
  • A Child's Toy with Mercury || Colonial Williamsburg - Interlude

    November has been intense, so we weren’t able to finish The Lost City of the Monkey God this month. But don’t worry—we’ve got something special for you instead!


    In this episode, we share our recent conference trip to Colonial Williamsburg. Both of us visited this historic interpretive town as kids, but this time, we approached it with the eyes of an archaeologist and an interpreter.


    How does it hold up? Is it still worth a visit? Tune in to hear our thoughts!

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    Want to support this podcast? Check out the donation link below!

    https://www.fpan.us/give/____#ArchaeologyBooksForFun #ColonialWilliamsburg #HistoricSites #Archaeology #LivingHistory #PodcastEpisode #WorthAVisit

    23 min
  • An Archaeology Superhero || The Lost City of the Monkey God, 2 of 3

    In this episode, we dive into part two of "The Lost City of the Monkey God".

    The team assembles and embarks on an expedition to the jungles of the Mosquitia region in Honduras to "discover" a "lost" city. Facing swarms of hungry insects and encounters with deadly snakes, they set out to confirm the site they identified using LiDAR.

    Last time, we had a few critiques. Will the book redeem itself? Tune in to find out!

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    Want to support this podcast? Check out the donation link below!

    https://www.fpan.us/give/

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    "The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story" by Douglas Preston

    Want to support this podcast? Check out the donation link below!
    www.fpan.us/give/

    Thumbnail partially generated using Dall-E.



    #archaeology #podcast #lidar #honduras #lostcity #archaeologybooksforfun #FPAN

    1 hr 45 min
  • We Want Lobster Too! || The Lost City of the Monkey God, 1 of 3

    A new episode, a new book!In "The Lost City of the Monkey God", daring adventurers use cutting-edge technology to brave the wild and dangerous jungles of Honduras in search of a city lost for centuries!At least, that's how the book presents itself. However, the story has sparked critiques from archaeologists, anthropologists, and native Hondurans.Will we be swept away by this thrilling tale of daring-do? Or will we uncover the flaws in both the book and the project it's based on? Tune in to find out!

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    Want to support this podcast? Check out the donation link below!

    https://www.fpan.us/give/____"The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story" by Douglas PrestonBlog post referenced in the episode:"Did You Even Talk to the Locals?"
    https://bit.ly/3BsJuUO#archaeology #podcast #lidar #honduras #lostcity #archaeologybooksforfun #FPAN

    1 hr 35 min
  • Dave the Potter; 1 of 1

    David Drake was a skilled potter and an enslaved man, known for the poetry he courageously inscribed on his pots at great personal risk. Join us for a very special one-off episode as we discuss the children's book "Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave" and celebrate this remarkable individual.Next up, we'll be starting the book "The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story". Don't miss it!

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    Want to support this podcast? Check out the donation link below!

    https://www.fpan.us/give/

    ___#podcast #archaeology #history #archaeologybooksforfun #slavery #pottery

    19 min

About Archaeology Books for Fun

From the publisher's feed

Archaeology Books for Fun is a twice-monthly podcast and book club where archaeologists Barbara and Tristan dig into books that aren't drier than dirt. Drawing on over 40 years of combined experience, they explore ancient civilizations, archaeological mysteries, "lost" cities, and popular myths; from the illicit artifact trade to ancient aliens and Atlantis, high-tech LiDAR discoveries to the occasional murder mystery.