Curiosity Meets The Past

The Archaeology Behind the English Alphabet

Where did the English alphabet come from, and how do we know? Linguist and writer, Dr. Danny Bate, guides us through the archaeology and linguistic history behind the letters many of us use every day. In our conversation, we explore what various archaeological artifacts reveal about the alphabet's past and what that means about our relationship to the English language today. Mentioned on the show: • Danny's Book: https://bookshop.org/a/115409/9781785307430 • Danny's Website: https://dannybate.com/ • Substack: https://dannylbate.substack.com/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannylbate/ • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:i4oicfdtysshyfxjmvpx2xza • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-bate-b3ba02277/ 📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/the-archaeology-behind-the-english-alphabet/ 🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan ✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com 🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

Rethinking Water History at Shushtar in Iran

What can water systems tell us about people in the past and present? Landscape archaeologist, Dr. Mehrnoush Soroush, guides us through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shushtar in Iran and how her work is challenging dominant water history narratives. In our conversation, she shares the surprising challenges that come with studying ancient water systems, her somewhat nontraditional approach, and what we can learn about humanity along the way. Mentioned on the show: • Academia Page: https://chicago.academia.edu/mehrnoushsoroush 📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/rethinking-water-history-at-shushtar-in-iran/ 🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan ✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com 🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

The Curious History and Science of Blimps

Where did blimps come from, and why are we fascinated by them? Geneticist and blimp enthusiast, Dr. Alex Dainis, guides us through the history of these sky vessels, the science behind their design, and what it feels like to ride inside one. In our conversation, she shares what blimps reveal about the way we see the world around us and why they are still around today. Mentioned on the show: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexdainis • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexDainisPhD/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexdainis 📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/the-curious-history-and-science-of-blimps/ 🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan ✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com 🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

What Archaeology Can Bring to the Classroom (and Beyond)

What can archaeology bring to the classroom and beyond? Archaeologist and filmmaker, Marc Barkman-Astles, guides us through the workshops he runs across England and Wales, the challenges he's encountered, and some of the delightful moments along the way. In our conversation, we explore how public archaeology can help us connect with the world around us. Mentioned on the show: * Website: https://archaeosouptowers.wordpress.com/ [https://archaeosouptowers.wordpress.com/] * YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Archaeos0up [https://www.youtube.com/@Archaeos0up] * Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@archaeos0up [https://www.tiktok.com/@archaeos0up] 📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/what-archaeology-can-bring-to-the-classroom-and-beyond/ [https://smitinathan.com/what-archaeology-can-bring-to-the-classroom-and-beyond/]🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan [https://patreon.com/smitinathan]✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com [podcast@smitinathan.com] 🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

The Ancient Deities People Called Upon

Which deities did ancient people call upon when they needed help? Assyriologist and public educator, Megan Lewis, guides us through some of the surprising sources scholars use to understand the gods and goddesses people turned to in the past. In our conversation, she shares what these sources reveal about how both people and deities have changed over time and why their stories still feel surprisingly familiar today. Mentioned on the show: * Website: https://www.digitalhammurabi.com/ [https://www.digitalhammurabi.com/] * YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalHammurabi [https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalHammurabi] 📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/the-ancient-deities-people-called-upon [https://smitinathan.com/the-ancient-deities-people-called-upon] 🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan [https://patreon.com/smitinathan] ✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com [podcast@smitinathan.com] 🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.