In 1982, archaeologists were excavating an Upper Paleolithic site in central India when they found a circular platform with a stone in the center that had concentric triangles. Almost immediately, locals identified it as a symbol of the goddess. How did this stone become a goddess and how can archaeologists identify the meanings behind a ritual object? In this episode, we speak with Mark Kenoyer, who excavated this stone, and how he sees connections between ritual symbols and practices in the past and the present.

This Ancient Life is supported by a Williams Instructional Grant from the University of Oregon. Our music is from Blue Dot Sessions. Our theme music is Bopha Vientiane by Sinn Sisamouth.

Check out our website for more information on this episode: thisancientlife.com

How do you make a good archaeology documentary?

There's a lot of slop out there. How can you tell if the archaeology documentary you are watching is scientifically accurate? In this episode, we speak with Leif Kaldor and Leslea Mair of Zoot Pictures about how to make a good archaeology documentary. It takes a surprising amount of time, money, and research. Join us to learn how the sausage gets made.

This Ancient Life is supported by a Williams Instructional Grant from the University of Oregon. Our music is from Blue Dot Sessions. Our theme music is Bopha Vientiane by Sinn Sisamouth.

Check out our website for more information on this episode: thisancientlife.com

How did a Neolithic burial in Prague become a viral "gay caveman?" In this episode we talk to Kamila Remišová Věšínová about her experience uncovering an atypical burial in Prague in 2011 and the media firestorm that followed. We also speak with Sian Halcrow, a bioarchaeologist, about how one identifies the sex of a skeleton and why this is often more of an art than a science.

This Ancient Life is supported by a Williams Instructional Grant from the University of Oregon. Our music is from Blue Dot Sessions. Our theme music is Bopha Vientiane by Sinn Sisamouth.

Check out our website for more information on this episode: thisancientlife.com