Rachel Roden

The Camera, the Archaeologist, and the Durin-Door (Part 1) - Trowel 45

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Ash and Tilly are on a quest from the Bazkardum Society to investigate a new Door of Durin. Joining them is archaeologist and rock carving specialist Dr Megan Kasten, who helps in answering their many many many questions. What is Reflectance Transformation Imaging? Why is Ash suddenly obsessed with puns? And how can Tilly force in a Discworld reference?

Books Mentioned

  • Lord of the Rings (J.R.R.Tolkien)

  • Sabriel (Garth Nix)

  • Lords and Ladies (Terry Pratchett)

  • The Witcher (Andrzej Sapkowski)

  • The Dark Tower (Stephen King)

  • Gunslinger (Stephen King)

  • The Chronicles of Narnia (C. S. Lewis)

  • Earthsea (Ursula Le Guin)

  • Wheel of Time (Robert Jordan)

  • Sword of Shannara (Terry Brooks)

  • The Forever War (Joe Haldeman)

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  • For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/45

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Ponca Presence: History, Homeland, and Archaeology with Stacie Laravie - Plains 20

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, host Carlton Shield Chief Gover speaks with Stacie Laravie, citizen of the Northern Ponca of Nebraska and former Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. Stacie shares insights into the deep history and enduring resilience of the Ponca people, with a focus on the legacy of Chief Standing Bear—whose 1879 court case established, for the first time in U.S. law, that Native people are “persons” under the Constitution.

Together, they explore the archaeology of Ponca homelands, the impacts of forced removal, and how material culture and oral history work together to tell the story of a people who never forgot where they came from. Stacie also reflects on her work in historic preservation and the importance of protecting sacred sites and ancestral knowledge.

This episode honors the past while celebrating ongoing efforts to reclaim, preserve, and share Ponca heritage.

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The Potential Future of Vocational Training and Technical Workforce in CRM - Part 2 - CRMArch 311

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We take the conversation we started last episode regarding vocational training of a technical workforce in CRM a little further. Bill provides an excellent perspective on the current role of the academic world in the CRM profession. How the current projections of future student populations provides both a bleak potential for growing numbers of new archaeologists and the promise for job security. This is an interesting perspective considering the current uncertainty looming in our discipline. Finally, is a rethinking of the original Airlie House an answer to what ails us? Tune in to find out and to learn how to educate yourself on the future of CRM!

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ALPHA: a prehistoric movie about the first dog - Ethno 17

In this episode, David finally discusses the 2018 film “Alpha.” Alpha is a movie that takes place 20,000 years ago in France, in which a boy is separated from his hunting party, and has to survive on his own to get home. That is until he meets a wolf, and the two of them then have to survive together to make it home. It is a story of survival, but also the first domestic dog.

David reviews the movie scene by scene and adds anthropological context and discusses the accuracies and inaccuracies using examples from real archeology.

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Discussing a Creation Story Panel at Little Petroglyph Canyon - Rock Art 143

Dr. Alan Garfinkel is joined by Chris Webster to discuss a very unique rock art panel discovered at Little Petroglyph Canyon in the Coso Range north of Ridgecrest, California. It’s a creation story 2000 to 4000 years old and has some interesting elements. They discuss the image on this week’s episode. What do you think the elements represent?

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Cleopatra with Kathy Charlton - ADHD 15

In this episode George and Kathy discuss the infamous Cleopatra VII and whether her uncanny ability to navigate hostile political environments and think outside the box betray hitherto unrecognised neurodivergent traits?

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Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden
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Speaking to the Public at the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) Meetings: Me, Flint Dibble, Milo Rossi (Miniminuteman), and More! - Pseudo 162

So I went to the annual Society for American Archaeology meetings in Denver weekend before last. I presented on my archaeology work on the Maya cenotes in Belize, but I also spent lots of time listening to (and assisting with) presentations on how to present archaeology to the public. What I learned: some people absolutely understand how to present archaeology to the public, and some people have no clue. Tune in to figure out who’s who! Special Bonus: Count how many times I accidentally refer to Milo Rossi as Stefan Milo!

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Weaving Our Own Fates! (Part 2) - Trowel 44

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In part two of their fateful quest, Ash and Tilly chat more with prehistoric archaeologist and textiles specialist Ronja Lau. Together, the three discuss the different kinds of analysis possible when studying archaeological textiles, and work together to try and replicate the woven threads left by the Norns. But what kind of material should they use? Should they go for a twill, or tabby weave? And what’s Ronja’s obsession with Telekom got to do with anything?

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  • For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/44

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Alm Shelter: Lifeways in the Bighorns with Dr. Alex Craib - Plains 19

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, host Carlton Shield Chief Gover sits down with Dr. Alex Craib, Adjunct Professor at Bluegrass Community and Technical College and recent PhD graduate from the University of Wyoming. Dr. Craib shares insights from his doctoral research at Alm Rockshelter in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming—a site that offers a rich archaeological record spanning thousands of years.

Together, they discuss the cultural materials uncovered at Alm, the site's stratigraphy, and what these findings reveal about patterns of human occupation, mobility, and resource use in the region. Dr. Craib also reflects on the methods he used, the surprises that emerged during analysis, and how Alm Rockshelter contributes to broader understandings of Plains prehistory.

This episode explores how archaeology can uncover deep connections between people and place across time—and why sites like Alm Rockshelter matter for telling those stories today.

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The Potential Future of Vocational Training and Technical Workforce in CRM - Ep 310

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Is there room for vocational training of a technical workforce in CRM? This episode considers the potential benefits of welcoming skilled labor to our discipline and how it could allow for more specialized trade skills, serve as a gateway to additional training and allow for each valuable component of our discipline to employ the skills they have worked so hard to develop.

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Rock Art, Ancient Figurines, and Geoglyphs! - TAS 305

Join us for your weekly dive into the latest archaeological discoveries! This week, we explore how ancient South African rock art is offering new insights into early human cognition and symbolism. Then, we'll journey to Turkey to examine a recently unearthed Mesolithic/Neolithic stone figurine and discuss what it reveals about the shift to settled agriculture. Finally, we'll explore how cutting-edge AI technology is helping to solve some of archaeology's greatest puzzles, including the mysteries of the Nazca Lines.

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Ancient Anthologies: David reads some of his writings - Ethno 16

In this episode, David reads some selected short stories and posts from his Instagram that helped build his account.  If you've been following him for a while, you'll recognize some of these posts, and more importantly you'll recognize the illustrations done by Ettore Mazza.

Many of these posts have to do with dogs, wolves, and anthropology but the final one has to do with tattoos and the Lord of the Rings.

David stresses that these posts were originally a lot longer pieces of work, but had to be cut down to only 2,200 characters to fit within the limits of Instagram's rules. But that also helped make him a better writer than reader.

In a sense, these are the posts that originally went viral when he was just starting Instagram,  and serve as the foundation for how David communicates science in an artistic yet educational way.

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World Rock Art with Dr Benjamin Smith - Rock Art 142

In this week’s episode, Dr Alan chats to Dr Benjamin Smith, a leading archaeological researcher and academic from the University of Western Australia. From directing world-renowned rock art research to shaping national policy in post-apartheid South Africa, Dr Smith’s career spans continents and decades, blending cutting-edge science with a deep commitment to ethical leadership and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

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Caratacus with Kathy Charlton - ADHD 14

In this episode George and Kathy explore the story of lesser known Celtic warlord Caratacus, who defied the Roman Empire for almost ten years. Displaying many neurodivergent traits, Caratacus thwarted countless Roman attempts to capture him until eventually being recognised and respected by emperor Claudius and the Senate. Who was Caratacus and could he have been neurodivergent?

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Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden
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We take a BATH, well we visit one - Ep 304

On this week’s episode we explore the Roman Baths at Bath, UK! In our first segment, we delve into the history of the iconic Roman Baths, a marvel of engineering and a social hub in antiquity. Next, we share impressions from our recent site tour and museum visit and share our pro-tips and experiences at the site. Finally, we read some funny 1-star reviews of the Roman Baths. Tune in for a blend of history, personal anecdotes, and laughter about visitor experiences in this remarkable city!

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Weaving Our Own Fates! (Part 1) - Trowel 43

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In this episode, Tilly and Ash have been tasked with covering holiday leave for the Norns, the weavers of fate, life and destiny from Norse mythology. However, there’s a problem they don’t have the first clue about weaving! Luckily the know someone who does, prehistoric archaeologist and textile specialist, Ronja Lau! With Ronja’s help, will the trio be able to weave the fates of Gods and humans? And will they ever find out how Game of Thrones ended?

Books Mentioned

  • A Song of Ice and Fire - George R. R. Martin

  • Inkheart - Cornelia Funke

  • The Book of Life (All Souls Trilogy) - Deborah Harkness

  • The Magic in the Weaving - Tamora Pierce

  • Daughter of the Forest - Juliet Marillier

  • The Weaver and the Witch Queen - Genevieve Gornichec

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Wolves and Canids in Great Plains Indigenous Cultures with David Ian Howe - Plains 18

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, host Carlton Shield Chief Gover sits down with public archaeologist and science communicator David Ian Howe for a wide-ranging conversation on the cultural, spiritual, and archaeological significance of wolves and other canids across the Great Plains. From ancient burials of domesticated dogs to the symbolic power of the wolf in Indigenous cosmologies, Carlton and David explore how Plains societies understood and related to their four-legged companions and wild kin. Whether you're a dog lover, a zooarchaeology nerd, or someone curious about the deep-time connections between humans and animals on the Plains, this episode offers rich insights and thoughtful discussion.

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