This episode, Matilda dives into the world of medieval manuscripts, accompanied by an expert in manuscript studies and palaeography: Dr Lisa Fagin Davis. Together, they discuss one of the most studied and yet most mysterious of medieval objects - the Voynich Manuscript. So much intrigue surrounds this extremely well-travelled manuscript, but what do we actually know about it? How does one study it? And why aren’t we allowed to wear gloves? Tune in to find out!

For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/40

• Digitised Voynich Manuscript
• Lisa’s blog post on Codicology
• Book by Raymond Clemens
• Beinecke Library - Voynich Manuscript webpage
• British Library blog post no gloves
• Rare Book School website
• Simmons Uni School of Library and Information Science website
• Lisa’s Bluesky

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It’s part two of Matilda’s tea-break with Alexandra Sebire as the two chat about the traditional craft of book binding. In this episode, we dive a little deeper into the history and development of book binding, and Alexandra shares more about the different projects she’s working in, and why you don’t always have to take the traditional path.

For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/39

• Solemniko website
• “To be adorned” crochet website
• List of endangered heritage crafts
• Brevarium Bartholomei

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In today’s tea-break, Matilda wants to learn more about books, and takes a closer look at the development of notebooks and the traditional craft of book binding. Joining her on her tea-break is Alexandra Sebire, founder of Solemniko stationary. Together they discuss the tools and know-how required for book binding, as well as the trials of running a small business, and how even the smallest act of help can make a difference in the world.

For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/38

• Solemniko Website
• How We Came To Be Project
• Book binding heritage craft web page

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I hope that you have a writing utensil handy, because you’ll want to make some notes for this one! In this episode, Matilda takes a dive into the origins and archaeology of the simple notebook. But what actually is a notebook? What materials have they been made from throughout history? And did an ancient Egyptian king really predict AI? Listen in to find out!

For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/37

• The Archaeologist’s Teacup blog post on notebooks
• Archaeology magazine article on the history of writing
• Smithsonian article on world’s oldest papyrus
• Article on wax tablets
• Article on clay tablets
• Clay tablet example
• Article on paper making
• Article on book binding

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• APN Shop

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The kettle is boiled, the tea is stewing, and we’re ready to go! That’s right, Dr Matilda Siebrecht is back to join you onTranscript your tea-break, this time with a slightly new focus and a different name: Tea-break Archaeology. Listen in to hear all about Matilda’s research background, why she got into podcasting, and how she’s been inspired by “cosy archaeology”.

For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/36

• Blog: Mugs, Makes, and Microwear
• APN Discord server

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This episode is a little different to usual, as Matilda discusses her background in archaeology and how she got to where she is today, as well as her inspiration for starting the podcast and how her experience has been for the last two years. Most importantly, she ends with the announcement that due to personal and professional priorities, Tea-break Time Travel will be taking a break, to launch with a fresh season-centered format in September 2025.

• For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/35

• And My Trowel podcast
• The EXARC Show podcast
• Matilda’s website

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The board is set as Matilda chats with Dr Alice Blackwell from National Museums Scotland all about the beautiful and iconic Lewis chess pieces. They’re one of the most recognisable objects at the museum, but how much do we actually know about them? Who made them and played with them? How similar was medieval chess to our modern version? And what does a modern whiskey distillery have to do with early medieval research? Listen in to find out - check mate!

• For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/34

• Lewis Chessman NMS page
• Lewis Chess Sketchfab 3D models
• Hilton of Cadboll Stone
• Glenmorangie Logo
• Early Medieval Scotland Book
• Scotland’s Early Silver exhibition
• Society for Medieval Archaeology

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It’s time for the last in our series on dating methods for Tea-break Time Travel Training, and this time Matilda discusses the most common for of relative dating - stratigraphy. But what exactly is stratigraphy? Why are there so many rules and principles to something that seems extremely self-explanatory? And what does any of this have to do with dusty shelves? Listen it to find out!

• For a transcript of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/33

• Science Direct stratigraphy topic search list
• Practices of Archaeological Stratigraphy
• Article on the history of Stratigraphy
• Principles of Geology ebook
• Harris Matrix activity sheet

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This month we’re getting elite as Matilda chats all about chieftain burials with archaeologist, curator, editor, and model Dr Sasja van der Vaart-Verschoof (also known on her online platforms as The Overdressed Archaeologist). Well, they’re talking about one chieftain burial in particular - that found in Oss in the Netherlands - and they’re especially talking about why the burial included a large and beautifully made iron sword bent into a ring. Why did people break or bend swords before burying them in the past? How could such a sword be bent into a ring? And how does Sasja manage to juggle so many different jobs and specialisms? Listen in to find out!

• For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/32

• NWO article about Sasja and the sword
• Antiquities Museum article
• Fragmenting the Chieftain book
• Article on chieftain graves
• Sasja’s website
• Sasja’s blog article on Iron Age elite burials

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In this month’s Tea-break Time Travel Training, Matilda is looking at yet another scientific dating technique used in archaeology: Thermoluminescence Dating! What is thermoluminescence? How you can use it to date ancient pottery? How does it compare to previous dating methods covered on the podcast? And are dreams made of atoms? Listen in to find out!

• For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/teabreak/31

• Chapter on luminescence dating
• Original article by Daniels et al (1953)
• Original article by Aitken et al (1964)
• Case Study example
• Paper on thermoluminescence dating
• Method description
• Dig it with Raven post on thermoluminescence

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