Into the Dust Archaeology

• Episode 47 - Giacomo Medici's Antiquities Smuggling Ring and Archaeology News

  The episode begins with the gripping tale of Giacomo Medici, one of history’s most infamous antiquities traffickers. Known as the kingpin of looted artifacts, Medici masterminded a vast smuggling network involving tomb raiders, Swiss Freeport warehouses, and high-profile museums. Host Jason Cohen unravels how these looted treasures, like the famed Euphronios Krater, were laundered through polished auction houses and ended up in major institutions such as the Met. Despite his attempts to escape justice, Medici's empire came crashing down, leading to the return of hundreds of artifacts to their rightful home. It's a story of greed, intrigue, and the long road to justice.Next, we take a wild detour to Herculaneum, where a young man caught in Mount Vesuvius' eruption provides one of the most bizarre archaeological discoveries. His brain appears to have been "vitrified," essentially turned into glass by a combination of superheated ash and rapid cooling. The podcast dives into the highly specific conditions required to create this one-in-a-billion phenomenon and the debate it sparked among scientists.Finally, Jason explores a potential contender for the world’s oldest 3D map. Deep within a cave in France, researchers identified carvings and features that resemble a topographical map of the surrounding area, complete with rivers and valleys. The theory is that this Paleolithic creation, dating at least 12,000 years, might have served practical purposes like hunting coordination or even ritualistic meanings tied to fertility and life.Timestamps 00:14: Unveiling Giacomo Medici: The Antiquities Trafficker06:12: The Downfall of a Trafficking Kingpin10:14: Ripple Effects: Justice and Repatriation of Artifacts12:29: Brains of GLASS? An vitrified brain in ancient Herculaneum17:39: Ladyparts in an ancient cave help to form the world's oldest 3D map?  Links & Resources Unique formation of organic glass from a human brain in the Vesuvius eruption of 79 CE: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-88894-5Palaeolithic Map Engraved For Staging Water Flows In A Paris Basin Shelter: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ojoa.12316 Related Episodes Archaeology News: Mysteriously Preserved Human Brains Unearthed - A New Archaeological Discovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjpdbQ4kkzIThe Oldest European Map Discovery: Story Of Saint Belec Slab - Bronze Age 3D Map: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUu5YmHFGaQ Help us by…·       Rating & Reviewing on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/into-the-dust-archaeology/id1726480019·       Subscribing on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Into_the-Dust_Arch·       Contributing on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IntotheDustArchaeology·       Visiting our website: https://www.intothedustarchaeology.com/

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• Episode 46 - Rules for Visiting Archaeology, Sanxingdui & Jinsha Archaeology Sites

  Episode Summary Episode 46 of Into the Dust dives straight into an essential guide for visiting archaeological sites and preserving their historical integrity. Host Jason Cohen alternates between "do's" and "don'ts," offering practical advice infused with humor and insight. From sticking to marked trails and avoiding the temptation to pocket small souvenirs, to studying a site's history in advance and respecting local rules and traditions, Jason emphasizes the importance of being a thoughtful and respectful visitor. Along the way, he shares vivid anecdotes, like imagining ancient hands creating stenciled cave art or marveling at Neolithic engineering feats. His playful tone keeps the content engaging while driving home the serious need to preserve these fragile sites for future generations.Jason also takes listeners on a virtual exploration of two incredible archaeological sites in Chengdu, China—Sanxingdui and Jinsha. Sanxingdui dazzles with visually stunning artifacts like alien-like bronze heads, intricate gold masks, and a monumental bronze tree, although much of it was discovered out of proper archaeological context. Meanwhile, the less Instagrammable Jinsha provides a deeper understanding of the Shu culture through preserved villages, burials, and stratigraphy-rich excavation sites. Jason juxtaposes the two sites to highlight the critical archaeological lesson that context often outweighs aesthetics in historical value. If you're planning a visit to Chengdu, Jason's tips will help you turn a confusing day into an enriching and awe-inspiring experience.Timestamps 00:00: Introduction0:19: Introduction to Archaeological Site Visits3:19: Essential Do's and Don'ts for Visitors5:04: Enhancing Your Archaeological Experience8:29: Historical and Archaeological Introduction 12:52: Visit to Sanxingdui23:31: Visit to Jinsha29:23: ConclusionHelp us by…·       Rating & Reviewing on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/into-the-dust-archaeology/id1726480019·       Subscribing on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Into_the-Dust_Arch·       Contributing on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IntotheDustArchaeology·       Visiting our website: https://www.intothedustarchaeology.com/

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• Episode 45 - Unearthing the Sutton Hoo Helmet and Ancient Shaman Burials

  Get ready to dig deep into one of the greatest archaeological finds in British history! This episode explores the legendary Sutton Hoo Helmet, from its discovery in a 1939 ship burial to its painstaking restoration and fascinating design. Learn about how this intricate piece of Anglo-Saxon artistry was pieced together from fragments, what its stunning carvings and face mask reveal, and the theories about who might have worn it—perhaps even King Rædwald of East Anglia. But it gets even juicier. Could this ornate helmet have belonged to a mercenary who once fought for the Byzantine Empire? We break down the evidence, the arguments, and the cultural connections that transport us to a surprisingly globalized seventh-century England. Plus, want to see it up close? We’ll tell you where to find it today and why Sutton Hoo is still delivering new discoveries.In the second segment, join us as we travel back 9,000 years to explore an incredible archaeological discovery in Israel—the burial of a six-fingered shaman woman unearthed at Motza near Jerusalem. This episode dives into the fascinating world of Neolithic religious beliefs, the significance of physical abnormalities in ancient societies, and how this discovery compares with similar burials in Europe. Discover how spirituality, community, and the supernatural intertwine through these powerful archaeological finds. From Israel's Neolithic past to Germany's Mesolithic graves and the Celtic tombs of the Vix Princess, we reveal the stories of unique women who shaped ancient societies as spiritual leaders. Could physical differences have been seen as symbols of power? Tune in to uncover the "archaeology of ableism" and its implications on understanding humanity's earliest beliefs. Timestamps 0:13: Introduction to the Sutton Hoo ship burial3:07: Detailed description of the Helmet5:53: Who was the Helmet for?7:49: New theory – A mercenary treasure?9:20: The Helmet and Sutton Hoo today10:21: Introduction to Archaeology News11:28: Discovery of ancient site at Motza16:13: Grave of the Shaman17:37: Global Connections in Shamanic Burials  20:46: Archaeology of Ableism Links & Resources ·        Sutton Hoo and Syria: The Anglo-Saxons Who Served in the Byzantine Army?: https://doi.org/10.1093/ehr/ceae213·        The Emergence of Worship and Religion in the Neolithic Period: Direct and Indirect Evidence from Moẓa (Motza):  Related Episodes Staffordshire Hoard: The Greatest Discovery of Medieval Gold in History: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_BnX6eaiUq4What Is The Three-Age System Theory: Stone Age, Bronze Age, And Iron Age Explained - Archaeology: https://publications.iaa.org.il/atiqot/vol116/iss1/2/ Help us by…·       Rating & Reviewing on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/into-the-dust-archaeology/id1726480019·       Subscribing on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Into_the-Dust_Arch·       Contributing on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IntotheDustArchaeology·       Visiting our website: https://www.intothedustarchaeology.com/   

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• Episode 44 - The Best of LIDAR and Pirate Archaeology

  Episode 44 Summary Welcome to this episode of Into the Dust! This week, we’re covering two topics from the world of archaeology. First, we’ll deep-dive into swashbucklimg pirate archaeology, uncovering artifacts and shipwrecks from the Barbary corsairs and legendary pirate Blackbeard. Then, we’ll explore groundbreaking finds made possible through LIDAR technology, revealing ancient civilizations long hidden from view. Get ready for a thrilling mix of history, technology, and discovery!Part 1: Barbary Corsairs and Blackbeard  What do North Africa’s fearsome Barbary pirates and the infamous Blackbeard have in common? Both made headlines this week, but for very different reasons. A recently discovered 18th-century Barbary pirate shipwreck has raised questions about the intersection of treasure hunting and archaeology. Laden with pottery, guns, and potential links to the slave trade, this ship opens a window into the brutal reality of Mediterranean piracy. Meanwhile, the salvage of Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge off the coast of North Carolina offers a rare glimpse into the golden age of piracy, with recovered artifacts and community archaeology enriching the pirate’s all-too-real story.Part 2: Ancient Civilizations Uncovered by LIDAR  LIDAR strikes again! This revolutionary technology has uncovered astonishing discoveries across the globe, including ancient Amazonian settlements in Ecuador, complete with roads, platforms, and a civilization rivaling the grandeur of the Maya. Archaeologists also used LIDAR to map two high-altitude medieval cities in Uzbekistan, rewriting what we thought we knew about the ancient Silk Road. The insights gained from these hidden cities offer a testament to the potential of technology to rewrite archaeology’s history books. Timestamps 00:00: Barbary Pirate Corsair Discovered 08:26: Visit to the OBX – Blackbeard’s Stomping Waters19:20: Lost City of the Amazon Discovered in the Upano Valley, Ecuador25:53: Bronze Age City in Uzbekistan  Links & Resources Barbary Rouges & Renegades: Wreck Watch Issue 16-17 Summer 2024 www.wreckwatchmag.comQueen Anne’s Revenge Project: https://www.qaronline.org/ North Carolina Maritime Museum Beaufort – https://ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/Two thousand years of garden urbanism in the Upper Amazon: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adi6317Large-scale medieval urbanism traced by UAV–lidar in highland Central Asia: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08086-5  Related Episodes Lost Pirate Shipwreck Discovered - The Barbary Pirates: Archaeology News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_JHt8EAeD0Unearthing the Unexpected: Archaeology in the Outer Banks (Pirates, horses & lost colony, OH MY!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbt46_gunzAArchaeology News Edition #2 Highlights: MS Origins, Lost Amazon Cities & Anglo-Saxon Treasures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6NcihZQlawArchaeology News - Fake News at Petra, Lost Cities of the Silk Road, and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kKNoFafUhg Help us by…·       Rating & Reviewing on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/into-the-dust-archaeology/id1726480019·       Subscribing on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Into_the-Dust_Arch·       Contributing on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IntotheDustArchaeology·       Visiting our website:

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• Episode 43 - The Best of Neanderthal and Viking Archaeology

  This week’s episode features previous segments about two iconic groups in history— Neanderthals and Vikings. We uncover fascinating discoveries about their lives, cultures, and legacies through groundbreaking archaeological research. From understanding Neanderthal DNA’s impact on modern humans to unraveling the secrets of Viking exploration and burial practices, this episode is packed with insights for history enthusiasts. We look into 6 different topics:00:14: Overview of the Neanderthals15:20: Impact of modern humans in Neanderthal DNA21:27: Graves of early humans vs. Neanderthals28:16: Ancient carved bear bone – Neanderthal Art?34:38: Mystery Viking objects examined – ancient navigational devices?37:58: Dendrochronology study yields clues about real-world RagnarokLinks & Resources Recurrent gene flow between Neanderthals and modern humans over the past 200,000 years: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adi1768 Neandertal burial practices in Western Asia: How different are they from those of the early Homo sapiens?: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003552124000682A Middle Palaeolithic incised bear bone from the Dziadowa Skała Cave, Poland: the oldest marked object north of the Carpathian Mountains: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305440324000372 The impact of the volcanic double event in AD 536 and AD 539/540 on tree-ring growth and felling activity in Danish oak trees: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352409X24003171 A Middle Palaeolithic incised bear bone from the Dziadowa Skała Cave, Poland: the oldest marked object north of the Carpathian Mountains: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305440324000372  Help us by…·       Rating & Reviewing on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/into-the-dust-archaeology/id1726480019·       Subscribing on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Into_the-Dust_Arch·       Contributing on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IntotheDustArchaeology·       Visiting our website: https://www.intothedustarchaeology.com/

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