Then we discuss the recent Section 106 hearing held on October 29, 2025 by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Full Committee Hearing to Examine the Section 106 Consultation Process Under the National Historic Preservation ActThe show hosts discuss a must-see senate hearing that reveals much about the Section 106 process, how clear communication can improve things, and that legislators, tribes, and archaeologists all believe historic preservation is important.

After two decades of anticipation, the Grand Egyptian Museum has finally opened and it is wonderful in every sense of the word! In this episode of The Past Macabre, host Stephanie Rice explores how the world’s largest archaeological museum breathes new life into ancient funerary traditions. Join her on a journey through three extraordinary exhibits that reimagine Egypt’s afterlife: the digital recreation of Khnumhotep II’s tomb; the complete collection of Tutankhamun’s treasures that have been reunited for the first time since they were excavated; and the solar boats that were buried next to the Great Pyramid that were meant to carry Khufu in the afterlife. Through technology, artistry, and careful conservation, these exhibits at the Grand Egyptian Museum bring Ancient Egyptian lives to modern visitors.

This week, by popular request, we are reviewing Prey (2022), a prequel to the Predator franchise in which the eponymous alien hunter meets his match on the American Great Plains of 1719. We’re joined by archaeologist Dr. Carlton Shield Chief Gover, who helps us navigate the movie’s medicinal plants, upside-down archery draws, and inadvisable sharpening techniques, and reminds us why we should never whistle at night.

In this episode, Alan is joined by Joseph Williams, founder of Seven Fires Corporation, to explore how Indigenous knowledge, AI, and 3D imaging intersect in the study of rock art. They discuss applications from Göbekli Tepe to Native American sites, and examine the House of the Sun pictographs in Southern California, exploring how they reflect Native American cosmology and celestial traditions.

It’s time for the second part of the Archaeo Book Club discussion for the November theme “It Belongs in a Museum!” Book club admins Ash, Judith, and Tilly discuss the abundance of material culture related books lining their shelves, and the link between museums and mystery in popular fiction. This time, their personalised recommendations are all surprisingly similar! Tune in to hear all about knights, mummies, and Frida Kahlo’s ring.

Mysteries Unearthed with Danny Trejo is just beginning its second season. One of the Expert Presenters on the show is me, Super Important Doctor Professor Andrew Kinkella! In taking jobs like this, have I sold out? Am I an embarrassment to all of archaeology? Listen in so you can judge and make fun of me as usual.

It’s part 2 of Matilda’s chat with expert paleographer Dr Lisa Fagin Davis, as we dive deeper into the fascinating research that has been done on the Voynich Manuscript. Tune in to learn about the exciting results revealed through multi-spectral imaging, how you too can start researching a mysterious object, and what the link is between Voynich and the Avengers!

After more than 4 years since they recorded Episode 60 (Historical Archaeology for the Future) together, Jessica checks back in with Dr. Ayana Omilade Flewellen (they/she; Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Stanford University and Co-Founder of the Society of Black Archaeologists). The two discuss Dr. Flewellen’s move to Stanford, how Dr. Flewellen’s research focus was entirely flipped on its head, and how they came back from that in a creative way. We also discuss the importance of standardizing excavation for future use as legacy collections. Finally, we discussed the oral history work that they are doing with Diving with a Purpose and even as a cultural anthropologist their methodology was one I had never heard of before!

There’s a lot of Neanderthal research in the news these days and the first two articles highlight some of those achievements. The first article references research about ancient Neanderthals and their migration patterns. Turns out they got around more than we think they did! The second article highlights new research about Neanderthal art and symbology using ochre coloring devices. Finally, we head back to the western hemisphere to learn about 20,000 year old Japanese ancestors possibly being some of the first to cross the ocean and explore the Americas.

Ash and Tilly are back with art conservator and supernatural sleuth Jessica van Dam to finish unraveling the mystery of the haunted artefacts from the Jinu Preservation Society. From tiger-and-magpie paintings to suspiciously stylish hats, the trio dive deep into Korean demons, dokkaebi, and ghostly folklore—with a few detours into their favorite K-dramas. Expect myths, mayhem, and more giggles than exorcisms. Will they cleanse the cursed collection… or will Tilly perish under the weight of Ash and Jess’s K-drama obsession?

For this episode, Carlton discusses Prey (2022) with Jaquelyn Sparks. They dive into themes of the film, including likes and dislikes, beavers, horses, and a lack of trade goods. Both Carlton and Jacquelyn recently watched the film to get Carlton ready for his hour-long interview on the Screens of the Stone Age Podcast. Definitely check out Carlton’s episode over there to get a full dive into the movie.

On today’s podcast, we talk about the ongoing Federal government shutdown and its impacts on CRM and academia. We discuss the complications that arise when government contracts with universities have no federal administrators, the effects of furloughs on CRM compliance work, and how you can help the furloughed federal archaeologists. Despite the adverse effects, there is the potential for a backlog of work that needs to get done once the government opens again. This could mean work for CRMers across the country. The show hosts are taking on topics that are causing adverse effects on CRM and the rest of our country in ways that none of us can predict. Listen and stay informed.

In this episode, Stephanie is joined by special guest Virginia Lucas, curator and archaeologist of the Lost City Museum for a look at the history of The Lost City, also known as Pueblo Grande de Nevada. It was an Ancestral Puebloan settlement in southern Nevada and once thrived as a major agricultural exporter and trade hub along the Muddy River. The city was abandoned around 1250 CE after a shift in the local climate caused a long period of drought. Centuries later, its ruins were flooded by the construction of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, only to reemerge now that modern droughts have lowered the water levels once again. We'll explore the museum dedicated to both the site itself and the historical archaeology previously done here. We'll also discuss how the Lost City’s rise, abandonment, and rediscovery by western researchers reflect broader questions about memory, cultural continuity, and the importance of working with descendant communities when researching history and sharing it with the public.

We’ve dug too far! We overshot the Stone Age and hit the Dinosaur Age again! Today we’re joined by palaeontologist Joe Wood to review The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), the second movie in the Jurassic franchise (and the last good one). We talk about lumpers, splitters, slappers, clappers, and everything you ever wanted to know about our fine feathered friends.

In this episode David sits down with Zach Lindsay, a Mayanist archaeologist and board member of the Institute of Maya Studies, to explore the intersection of Mesoamerican archaeology, art, mythology, and—of course—dogs! From the monumental pyramids of Teotihuacan to the symbolic underworld journeys of ancient Maya souls, Zach brings a journalist’s curiosity and an archaeologist’s precision to one of the world’s oldest human–dog relationships.

Exploring the complicated history of the Egyptian god Set and how he’s portrayed in Stargate SG-1.

Thor's alien nature is not just influenced by the alien, but also by the God and by the cultural background from whence he comes. A thousand years can change so much, maybe not so much WHAT is important to us, but HOW we interact with the things we have to overcome. Let's all keep traveling to distant lands with enough care and wisdom to become the fifth race. And play with some hammers!

In this episode, Alan is joined by Douglas Beauchamp, an arts consultant and photographer based in Oregon, whose work explores the enduring power of rock art in shaping cultural landscapes. Douglas examines how ancient engravings and visual imagery continue to speak to contemporary audiences, bridging archaeology, public art, and the study of visual memory. Through his photography and field documentation, he illuminates the ways ancient art interacts with the landscape and modern viewers.

We're embracing our Indiana Jones stereotypes this month at the Archaeo Book Club with the theme “It Belongs in a Museum!” But what does actually belong in a museum? Tune in to hear book club admins Judith, Ash, and Tilly discuss the colonial history of cabinets of curiosities, issues of repatriation, and why you shouldn’t stick your hand in a spinning wheel.

Back in the 90s, I would often take late night drives between the San Francisco Bay Area (where my parents lived) and Santa Barbara (where I went to college). During the dark, lonely hours cruising down highway 101, I’d listen to a funky, weird, slightly creepy yet interesting radio show. I never quite understood what it was. That’s because it was Art Bell’s Coast to Coast AM radio show.