India’s past is anything but boring so why do so many museum visits feel that way? This episode takes a critical look at the state of museums in India, asking why artefacts often sit behind dull labels and disconnected displays. We unpack what’s holding museums back, how visitor experience can be transformed, and what it would take to make these spaces truly engaging for the public.
What does it mean to conserve heritage that cannot be displayed in a case? This episode examines how the Bindu Sarovar Museum in Siddhpur, Gujarat, engages with intangible heritage, beliefs, practices, and living traditions, and the challenges and opportunities of preserving cultural memory beyond monuments.
In our last episode, we discussed how the Taj Mahal has been embroiled in the battle between conservation and pseudo-archaeology. In this year-end special episode, we take the discussion a little further and discuss how exactly is the Taj Mahal and similar monuments in India protected in the first place.
Join us as we explore the world of heritage laws and what it mean actually means to protect a monument.
What happens when one of the world's most famous monuments becomes a site of ideological conflict? In this first episode of our brand new series, we explore how pseudo-archaeology, popular culture, and politics are reshaping the meaning of Taj Mahal in contemporary India.
Join us as we explore the three fundamental pillars of evolutionary psychology: mating, cooperation, and conflict. Uncover how each one has influenced the way we think, feel, and interact today.
From the strategies we use to attract partners, to the deep roots of our social bonds, to the age-old patterns that spark rivalry and aggression, we connect the dots between our evolutionary past and our modern lives. Whether you’re new to evolutionary psychology or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode offers a clear, engaging introduction to the instincts and adaptations that make us human.
Tune in to discover how evolution’s fingerprints appear in every relationship, every alliance, and every disagreement and what that means for navigating the world today.
Why does a single emotion make us recoil from spoiled food, wrinkle our noses at foul smells, and even judge other people? In this episode, we dive into the evolutionary psychology of disgust, a powerful behavioural immune system shaped to protect our ancestors from parasites, pathogens, and social threats.
If you’ve ever wondered why some things feel “gross” on instinct, or how an ancient emotion still shapes modern life, this episode is for you.
Humans have always had a complicated relationship with food. In this episode, we explore the foundations of evolutionary psychology to understand why our brains crave sugar and fat, why we’re drawn to variety, and how ancient survival mechanisms still shape our choices today. From feast-or-famine instincts to comfort eating, we uncover how evolution influences our appetite, behaviour, and emotional connection with food.
Join us as we unpack the evolutionary origins of anger, revealing how this powerful emotion helped our ancestors navigate threats, negotiate resources, and maintain social cohesion. Unpack how those ancient mechanisms still influence us today!
How do scientists actually test ideas about human evolution? In this episode, we explore the diverse toolkit researchers use to investigate evolutionary hypotheses: from cross-species comparisons that reveal shared adaptations, to cross-cultural studies that uncover universal versus variable behaviour. We also dive into psychological experiments, brain imaging, and genetic methods that connect evolutionary theory to measurable evidence. Join us for a deep dive into how these approaches work together to illuminate the origins of the human mind and behaviour.
Why do we think, feel, and act the way we do? In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of Evolved Psychological Mechanisms , the mental adaptations shaped by natural selection to solve challenges faced by our ancestors. From fear responses and mate choice to cooperation and moral judgment, we uncover how evolution has hardwired our minds for survival.
We are back again after a break with the Evolutionary Psychology series! In this episode, we revisit the basic structures necessary to understand human evolution. Join us as we take a brief journey to explore the architecture of evolution!
What happens when ancient tombs meet modern streaming? In this episode, we dig into Netflix’s Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb and explore how public archaeology is reshaping the way we understand and access ancient history. From the tombs of Egypt’s forgotten priests to the global reach of popular media, we discuss the ethical, educational, and emotional impact of making archaeology public.
Cleopatra has been portrayed as everything from a cunning seductress to a brilliant political strategist. In this episode, we dive into the world of televised archaeology to examine how Cleopatra is framed: what evidence is emphasised, what mysteries are spotlighted, and how modern narratives influence the portrayal of an ancient queen. From underwater excavations to the search for her tomb, how do archaeology documentaries shape our understanding of her legacy?
In this final episode of our Heritage At Crossroads series, we explore the growing tension between preservation and progress. We look at how historic landmarks, ancient ruins, and cultural treasures vanish under the weight of modern development and economic ambition.
Why are we so quick to trade centuries of history for short-term profit? What is truly at stake when heritage becomes a commodity?
Join us as we navigate these questions in this episode.
As cities expand and economies grow, heritage sites often find themselves caught in the crossfire between progress and preservation. In this episode, we explore the complex relationship between development and cultural conservation. What does it take to protect our historical landmarks in the face of rapid urbanization?
Join us as we explore this question through the story of the cities of Ctesiphon and Baku!
How do communities protect their cultural heritage while embracing modern development? In this episode, we explore the tensions and synergies between conserving historic places and meeting today’s needs.
Join us as we look at the challenges and opportunities of heritage conservation in a rapidly changing world.
Archaeological sites attract millions of visitors each year: But what does tourism mean for the sites themselves? What is at stake when the past becomes a destination?
In this episode, we explore how archaeology and tourism intersect, balancing preservation with popularity.
Join us as we dig into the delicate relationship between cultural heritage and the tourism industry!
In this episode, we look at an issue that makes every archaeologist wince with sadness: the loss of heritage sites!
Join us as we discuss the challenges that one faces while looking at conservation of historical sites, especially when looking at collaborative public archaeology projects.
Join Dr. Shriya Gautam as she unpacks the basics of evolutionary psychology in this new series! Discover how the brain and the body influence each other. In this exciting follow up episode to the first part, dive into the world of the evolution and understand why humans behave in a certain manner.
Join us for a very interesting conversation about the role of the digital in public archaeology with Dr. Sara Perry (UCL).
In this episode, Dr. Perry reflects on the paradoxes her team has experienced in recent digital participatory work that they have been doing at different international sites. Herein, the idea of public participation is embraced, and digital practices and technologies are seen as a means to facilitate it, but when results begin to infringe too much on normative methods and extant power structures, support for participation dwindles and becomes notably undemocratic.