In this episode, I sit down with Rob Bozell, who served the Nebraska State Historical Society for more than three decades and retired as State Archaeologist after a career that began in the 1980’s. Rob reflects on his journey through some of the most transformative decades in American archaeology, including the passage of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and its lasting impact on the field.

In the first half of our conversation, Rob takes us back to the 1990s—sharing how he stepped into leadership just as NAGPRA and the Nebraska Unmarked Human Burial Sites and Skeletal Remains Protection Act were enacted, and how Nebraska institutions and tribal nations worked to navigate this new legal and cultural landscape together.

In the second half, we turn to the 2000s and 2010s, as Rob discusses major projects like the rediscovery of the Engineer Cantonment site, the evolution of preservation practices, and his efforts to foster meaningful relationships between archaeologists and Indigenous communities. He closes with reflections on his career, the legacy of NAGPRA, and his hopes for the next generation of archaeologists committed to Great Plains Archaeology

Transcripts
For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/great-plains-archaeology/29

Links

The Archaeology of the North American Great Plains by Douglas B. Bamforth (2021)

Archaeology on the Great Plains Edited by W. Raymond Wood (1998)

Carlton's KU Anthropology Faculty Bio

Contact

• Instagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologist
• Email: [email protected]

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In this episode, we’ll explore the rediscovery and legacy of Thonis-Heracleion, a sacred port city that was lost beneath the Mediterranean Sea for over 1200 years. During its peak, the city stood as both a major checkpoint for foreign merchants entering Egypt and a spiritual center tied to the worship of Amun, Khonsu, Osiris, Aphrodite, and many more Egyptian and Greek deities.

Rituals connected the site to Canopus through the Osirian Mysteries, and I'll share details about the archaeological evidence of these rites, including a sacred barge that carried the statue of Osiris between the two cities. As with its neighbor Canopus, Thonis-Heracleion became closely associated with a Greek mythical hero. According to Herodotus, this was where Heracles (Hercules) set foot in Egypt for the first time and Heracles became syncretized with Khonsu over time.

Listen now to explore how the rediscovery of Thonis-Heracleion has helped reshape our understanding of Egypt’s sacred coastline during the Late Period and Ptolemaic Dynasty.

For transcripts of this episode head over to: https://archpodnet.com/tpm/24

See photos related to episode topics on Instagram

Loving the macabre lore? Treat your host to a coffee!

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It’s October, and as is tradition, we’re reviewing scary Halloween movies this month! First up is Legend of the Bog (2009), a movie with just enough Vinnie Jones in it to justify putting him on the cover. You’ve seen mummies; you’ve seen zombies; but what about a resurrected Iron Age bog body? Plus: a special guest appearance from a Sp0okY Gh0st!

• List of Bog Bodies
• Our episode on Neander-Jin (2011)
• Forensic archaeology
• Tollund Man’s last meal
• How to use an optical level in archaeology
• Archaeology of the undead
• Speculative Vampire metabolism
• Peat fires
• Bog roads – The Corlea Trackway

• Website
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Remembering Jane Goodall with Primatologist Carson Black

In this deeply heartfelt episode, David speaks with Primatologist, Biological Anthropologist, and Conservationist, Carson Black, who has spent her academic career studying chimpanzees in Senegal and howler monkeys in Costa Rica.

Together, they reflect on the life and legacy of Jane Goodall, the “living Darwin of the modern era,” and how her groundbreaking work continues to shape the way we understand both chimpanzees and ourselves.

Carson shares vivid stories from the field—bucket showers under the Milky Way, mischievous chimps throwing rocks, and the humbling power of seeing the world from their perspective. The two also discuss the history of primatology, the pioneering “Trimates” (Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas), and the role of indigenous knowledge in modern science.

This episode serves as both a tribute to Jane Goodall and a reminder that anthropology isn’t just about the past—it’s about the relationships that continue to define what it means to be human.

• davidianhowe.com
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In this episode, Alan is joined by Stephen Townley Bassett, a forensic artist dedicated to preserving and recreating San rock art with striking accuracy. Using natural materials like ochre, charcoal, and egg shell, Stephen reconstructs ancient paintings in the same way they were originally made—millimeter by millimeter.

With decades of field experience across Southern Africa, his work highlights the intersection of art, archaeology, and conservation, offering a powerful visual record of a fragile cultural legacy under threat.

For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/rockart/152

• Stephen Townley Bassett’s Website
• Stephen Townley Bassett’s artist profile
• Stephen’s Sapien’s article on ‘Re-imaginging Rock Art in Southern Africa’
• Stephen Townley Bassett: Saving African Cave Art - Painted Dog Gallery

Dr. Alan Garfinkel

• [email protected]
• Dr. Alan Garfinkel’s Website
• Support Dr. Garfinkel on Patreon

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It’s time to dig up some old bones! In this episode, Ash and Judith have left Tilly in her sickbed to sift through the bones of history to explore the theme of The Bare Bones! They discuss how this theme is so important within the field of archaeology and medieval life, as well as their own person anecdotes on death, happy skeletons and medieval memes!

Monthly Book: Mort by Terry Pratchett

• The Kingmaker’s Daughter by Philippa Gregory
• The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
• Medieval Children by Nicholas Orme
• All That Remains by Sue Black
• Medieval Death: ritual and representation by Paul Binski
• Wigmore Castle, north Herefordshire: excavations 1996 and 1998, Stephanie Rátkai

• Richard III’s Discovery
• Richard III’s DNA Study
• Osteoarchaeological Analysis
• Isotope Analysis
• Tarbat Discovery Centre

• Discord
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• Instagram
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"Little Adventure" by Sergei Chetvertnykh

For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/archaeo-book-club/07

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I noticed some heated online arguments in the anthropology world about human sexuality, where several noted anthropologists recommended the book “Sex is a Spectrum” by Agustin Fuentes, so I read it. What I learned: Unfortunately, pseudoscience exists in other realms beyond pseudoarchaeology.

For rough transcripts of this episode head over to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/pseudo/172

• Kinkella Teaches Archaeology (Youtube)
• Blog: Kinkella Teaches Archaeology

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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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In this slightly different episode, Ash and Tilly discuss the different ways that mental health is both affected by and perceived within archaeology and fantasy fiction. Tune in to hear their discussion on the importance of community, managing expectations, and how many archaeology-related puns they can stuff into a 30-minute episode.

• World Mental Health Day
• Article on crafting to alleviate stress
• Article on archaeology and PTSD
• Article on self awareness and excavation
• Operation Nightingale
• Article on trauma and archaeology

• Blackthorn and Grim (Juliet Marillier)
• Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea (Rebecca Thorne)
• Witches Guide to Magical Innkeeping (Sangu Mandanna)
• Rewitched (Lucy Jane Wood)
• Lord of the Rings (J. R. R. Tolkien)
• A Song of Ice and Fire (George R. R. Martin)
• Sword of Truth series (Terry Goodkind)

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @‌and.my.trowel

For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/54

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This episode continues my conversation with Tyrel Iron Eyes (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe) and Chance Ward (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe). We turn to the stories and lessons from the field—where archaeology is practiced on the ground and in real time. Tyrel and Chance reflect on the growing presence of Native archaeologists, the ways Tribally informed practices are reshaping fieldwork, and how their own experiences demonstrate the importance of centering Native voices in research.

Transcripts

For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/great-plains-archaeology/28

Links

• The Archaeology of the North American Great Plains by Douglas B. Bamforth (2021)
• Archaeology on the Great Plains Edited by W. Raymond Wood (1998)
• Carlton's KU Anthropology Faculty Bio

Contact

• Instagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologist
• Email: [email protected]

APN

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• APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
• APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
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• APN Shop

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