MMM are back with a brand new episode! Snuggle up and let your ears listen to the wacky, wild and sometimes royal events that have happened on December 25.

First up, we unwrap the rather undramatic fall of the USSR, exploring the pivotal moment of Gorbachev's resignation that reshaped the global landscape during Christmas.

Next, prepare for a chilling tale as we recount the gripping execution of Nicolae Ceausescu, the former leader of Romania, and the ultimate fate that awaited Ceausescu and his wife, whose downfall shocked the world.

Finally, our historical gift box wouldn't be complete without exploring the coronation of Charlemagne. Step into the grandeur of the past as we unravel the festive coronation festivities that marked the beginning of a new era in European history.

In this episode, we are drinking gluwein, so pour yourself a festive drink, kick back, and join us for an episode filled with the unexpected, the dramatic, and the historic twists that shaped Christmas celebrations around the world. It's 'Unwrapping Christmas' on this special edition of Monuments, Museums and Mojitos."

Show notes:

Film - Metronom - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12253164/

Monuments, Museums & Mojitos podcast is BACK with a new episode! Inspired by the Movies, we take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of how archaeology is depicted by Hollywood.

✨Highlights include✨

🍹Nikki probably has some unresolved Aperol trauma

🍹Nikki also being a Movie Grinch 😡🎬

🍹Featuring a cast of grave robbers, white colonialists, native extras who have no lines and die immediately, supernatural beings, conspiracy theorists, bullwhips, rolling boulders, and so much tarpaulin

🎬 Movie recommendation 🎬

👑 The Lost King (2022)

Emergency episode! Art just got attacked in the name of climate activism! 

At just after 11 a.m. on Friday, two members of Just Stop Oil, a group that seeks to stop oil and gas extraction in Britain, entered room 43 of the National Gallery in London, opened two tins of Heinz cream of tomato soup, and threw them at Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers".  It is one of six surviving images of sunflowers that van Gogh made in 1888 and 1889 - The New York Times. 

We had to jump on board and discuss this issue. Our world of culture fell victim to an urgent cry of climate activism. In this emergency episode, we break down what happened, why it happened and what greater message it holds, not just for the UK, but for the entire world. 

Shownotes:

Food glorious food! It’s our season two finale! And a subject close to our hearts (or should we say stomachs) … food & drink! 🫑🧅🐟🍇🍏🍅🥖🍯🍷

In this special finale episode, we tell you all about the history of food from feasts (and recipes) of the ancient world, feminist takes on its social importance, the colonial spice wars, the devasting effects of the popularity of sugar and, how food can simply put, affect your mood!

One thing is for sure: food and drink have been essential to not only our survival but also our cultures and societies throughout human history.

We chew the fat and spill the tea 🫖☕️ discussing the impact of Food Glorious Food!

A shoutout to @thedeliciouslegacy for inspiration on this one! 🍇 🍷  🍾 🥂 🍻

And don't forget to check out our very special Ancient Greek-inspired mulled wine recipe!

This episode comes with a trigger warning: There is mention of the slave trade, plantations & racism in this episode.

Shownotes:

Imagine: you’re an archaeologist in the 19th century, and you’re searching for a site straight out of Ancient Greek myth 🗺🕵️‍♂️🧳🧿👷‍♂️

You start the dig, and you find some amazing discoveries … a palace, a throne, wall paintings and beautiful art! 🏺🐂🏛 Great, right?

In this episode, we tackle an example of when an overactive imagination, ambition and lust for ✨glory✨ gets in the way of archaeology and historical facts. We chat about what happens when a 19th century, colonial, white male decides to excavate a site while being totally infatuated by myth.

Don't forget this week's cocktail - Gin Fizz! 

We also have an article in Discourse Heritage Magazine on "Smashing Gender Assumptions in Aegean Prehistory: Minoan Crete".

Shownotes:

Is the underground neighbourhood you grew up in now becoming a bit trendy and snazzy? If you've had a whiff of gentrification in your lifetime, then this is an episode for you!

We talk placemaking, urban storytelling, community engagement, and gentrification in this week’s podcast episode 🏘🌆🏭🏛🌉🏰 Not only that, but we have our second ever ✨guest✨ in the amazing and talented Athena Mogdam 😍 who shares her experience and expertise with us.

In this episode, we speak about how culture and heritage can define the place it resides in, or better so, represents the people who live in that space. We promise to get you thinking about the space you live in and leave you the pondering thought of how this place is tied into your own identity. 

As always, don't forget your cocktail - this week it is the VERY FITTING cosmopolitan!

Enjoy and be sure to let us know what you think!

Shownotes:

- Exarcheia, Athens

-  Kypseli, Athens

-  Coburg, Melbourne

- Pentridge Prison

-  El Raval, Barcelona

-  Aberfeldy Street Murals 

- Bricks + Mortals, UCL

- Prague

Here is the second part of our Internation Women's Day special! In this episode, we share the story and insights of the second badass woman of our choice t and discuss their claim to be feminist icons. Our three gals include a fiery queen and distraught mother called Tomyris who halted the advancement of the Persian Empire (kinda a big deal), a female artist who defied the invisible nature of female artists of her time despite the shit she was faced with and; none other than our fave Mexican painter, Frida Khalo, who also had to pave through a non-straightforward route to her success and fame.

If you haven't already checked out Part 1 of our Sistory special, click here to listen!

This episode comes with a trigger warning:  we mention themes of death by suicide, rape, coercion, violence against women, victim-blaming, victim torture and pregnancy loss.

Enjoy and let us know what you think!

We love International Women's Day! In honour of this year's celebration, we are presenting to you three badass women of history that you may or may not have heard of. Each one of us picks one of our fave gals from the past and tells their story in this episode. We mention a bold and beautiful ancient Egyptian female Pharoah called Hatasepshut, the queen that should have been, Empress Matilda and; none other than Russia's fave - Catherine the Great. 

This episode is part 1 of a 2 part series and aims to shine a light on the women of history that don't always make it into our history books.

Enjoy and let us know what you think! 

Ps. Don't forget that Rossini cocktail while you're listening to this one!

****Disclaimer: This episode features Catherine the Great, Empress of Imperial Russia. The MMM team would like to state that they do not endorse Russian Imperialism (or imperialism of any kind) in any way, and stand by Ukraine against Putin’s aggression.

Shownotes:

It's big, it's bold, it's beautiful! Or, is it?

That's right, in this episode we are talking about none other than Barcelona's famous icon - La Sagrada Familia. If you've been to the city, you can't miss this bad boy and you've probably been made aware of Antoni Gaudí as the master of this creation. 

But did you know that Gaudi only managed to get La Sagrada Familia off the ground and the remaining parts were designed and built by other architects? This raises some questions about the authenticity, integrity and motivations behind La Sagrada Familia (spoiler: it doesn't pay tax)

Join us as we pull this apart and give you all the info you need to know to then decide if La Sagrada Familia is legit, or a sham. 

Don't forget to get your Agua de Valencia cocktail ready while listening to this!

Shownotes:

Lava hot podcast episode? This is a good one for you! 

This episode goes down south into Italy to the ancient city of Pompeii - you know, the one engulfed by a fiery volcano that covered everything and everyone in ash!

Tune in as we discuss:

Don't forget to sip on this week's cocktail while listening to this ep!

Potential trigger warning: In this episode, we talk about death and disaster particularly related to natural disasters/volcanos. We discuss human remains and how we deal with death of the ancient world, today. 

Enjoy and let us know what you think of this fiery episode!

Show notes: