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Artwork for Curiosity Meets The Past

Curiosity Meets The Past

Dr. Smiti Nathan
History
Archaeology
Human Remains
Artifacts
Voice
Clay Ceilings
Pirate Trial Of 1720
Monte Sierpe
Bioarchaeology
Apple Podcasts
Patreon
Storytelling
Community Engagement
Art
Linguistics
Ancient Civilizations
Accent Coaching
Authenticity
Speech Patterns
Andean Archaeology

Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Hosted by archaeologist Dr. Smiti Nathan, each episode features conversations with researchers, artists, and folx from diverse backgrounds who uncover unexpected stories behind objects, places, and people. No background in history or archaeology needed - just your curiosity. Learn more at smitinathan.com/podc... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes36Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryEducation

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Artwork for Curiosity Meets The Past

Latest Episodes

What can animal bones reveal about the daily lives of working-class communities in 19th-century New York City? Archaeologist and zooarchaeologist Dr. Pam Crabtree guides us through her research at two sites in Lower Manhattan: Five Points and Corlear... more

YouTube

This Curiosity Exchange is with The Dirt Diaries!

For the full episode of this excerpt:

YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/kYoTtKRIgEE?si=PtQ9Fz2ZlQ8PhU_c ⁠

Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cursing-the-competition-doing-anything-f... more

YouTube

What can ancient weapons reveal about the choices people made in the past? Archaeologist and art historian, Dr. Tenninger Kellenbarger, guides us through the world of Bronze Age Aegean weaponry. In our conversation, we explore ancient choices that im... more

YouTube

How can we learn about people who lived centuries ago, but were not included in typical written records? Biocultural anthropologist, Alex McDougle, guides us through her work on free and enslaved Black communities in Maryland during the 1700s and 180... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Alex McDougal
Biocultural anthropologist, PhD candidate at Columbia University
Columbia University
Episode: How This Bioarchaeologist Connects Maryland's Past to Its Present
Jennifer Berry
Author of Gender Violence in Late Antiquity, Male Fantasies and the Christian Imagination
Author/Scholar
Episode: Curiosity Exchange x Broadcast Seeding: Gender Violence in Late Antiquity
Richard Newton
Religious scholar, research professor at the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
Episode: Decoding Diaspora Through a Family Scrapbook
Dr. Danny Bate
Linguist and writer
Author of Why Q Needs You, A History of Our Letters and How We Use Them
Episode: The Archaeology Behind the English Alphabet
Mehrnoush Soroush
Landscape archaeologist focused on water systems and Shushtar
University of Chicago
Episode: Rethinking Water History at Shushtar in Iran
Alex Dainis
Geneticist and blimp enthusiast
Episode: The Curious History and Science of Blimps
Marc Barkman-Astles
Archaeologist and filmmaker
Archaeosoup (YouTube channel)
Episode: What Archaeology Can Bring to the Classroom (and Beyond)
Megan Lewis
Stereologist and public educator who runs Digital Hammurabi
Digital Hammurabi
Episode: The Ancient Deities People Called Upon
Lingxin Zhang
Egyptologist, assistant professor at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Episode: The Making and Remaking of the Zodiac in Roman Egypt

Host

Dr. Smiti Nathan
Host and archaeologist guiding discussions with researchers and practitioners.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 91 ratings
  • I love this podcast!

    I love this podcast. Dr. Smiti Nathan is such a great interviewer with incredibly thought out questions. I find myself interested in things I would have never explored before. It is a must listen!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kyndal Jeter
    United States2 months ago
  • Interesting of course, but…

    This is very interesting…..but please please PLEASE stop thanking your guests profusely after every single response. “Thank you so much for that”. It’s cringey. And grating.

    You’re having a conversation with your guest. Just thank them at the end.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Uzi Silber
    United Statesa year ago
  • Gay

    Gay

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    beaviss420
    United Statesa year ago
  • Learning from the Past

    I came upon this podcast by accident and I’m thankful that I did. Words, maps, DNA —- there’s so much to learn from the past and we can elect to repeat it or not. (Ir)regardless, this collection is enriching, enlightening, educational, entertaining. . . . Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jefffort
    United Statesa year ago
  • Very informative and interesting podcast

    I just listened to the latest episode of the podcast series and was delighted by the content, narrative structure, and thoughtful questions. Its great listening to archaeological research from an expert in their own words and getting the benefit of an archaeologist host who asks very thoughtful questions that direct the flow of the interview. The content on medieval urbanism and integrating mapping with documentation and excavation is made more meaningful with links to urbanism in the contempora... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Abbybright
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Content is educational and easy to digest, expanding public understanding of the past.
Listeners praise accessible, thoughtful exploration of archaeology and history.
Some critiques note pacing or vocal delivery but overall positive reception.
Guests and host are described as engaging and knowledgeable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#199
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#81
Singapore/History
Apple Podcasts
#126
India/History
Apple Podcasts
#173
South Africa/History
Apple Podcasts
#202
Indonesia/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Archaeology Behind the English Alphabet
Q: What was your logic behind including academic terms for a broad public audience?
The guest argues that using specific terminology, despite risks of jargon, preserves precision and helps readers keep up with current expert discussions. It also makes the reader feel on board with the field, not alienated, which is crucial for translating complex topics to a general audience.
The Archaeology Behind the English Alphabet
Q: What was it about the English alphabet that made you decide to focus on this for your book?
The guest explains that the alphabet is a tangible anchor for public linguistics—it's a topic people already have opinions about and memories of, yet it still has mysteries that make it a perfect entry point to both linguistics and archaeology. Embracing precise terminology provides depth and helps readers feel part of the field rather than patronized, enabling a clearer understanding of how the alphabet spread and evolved.
Decoding Diaspora Through a Family Scrapbook
Q: Why is it important to treat data as a dialogue rather than a finished product?
Because data never speaks in a vacuum; it gains meaning through people who read, interpret, and act on it, so inviting others to engage with the materials promotes a broader, more humane understanding of history.
Decoding Diaspora Through a Family Scrapbook
Q: Can you tell us how you first approached the scrapbook and what drew you to study it beyond personal curiosity?
The scrapbook sparked a dual interest: Rogers' 100 pages of newspaper clippings and the discovery that my grandmother kept notes in the margins, which together offered a way to explore how texts are received by communities and how margins tell equally important stories.
The Making and Remaking of the Zodiac in Roman Egypt
Q: Could you give us an overview of Roman Egyptian astrology, like where it came from and how it took shape?
astrology in Egypt combined Mesopotamian beginnings with Greek-Roman interpretations, leading to a hybrid system where decanal stars and zodiac signs were used alongside temple practices and personal horoscopes; it evolved through the Hellenistic era and adapted to local Egyptian traditions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Curiosity Meets The Past

What is Curiosity Meets The Past about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Curiosity meets past topics span archaeology, ancient languages, landscape history, and public education about science and history. Episodes highlight how artifacts, sites, and texts illuminate everyday lives in antiquity, and often emphasize accessible storytelling, interdisciplinary methods, and public-facing scholarship. Noteworthy traits include a host who invites scholarly guests and translates complex research for general audiences, plus a recurring focus on how digital tools, pedagogy, and public engagement expand access to the past. This mix makes it appealing to listeners who enjoy thoughtful, research-backed exploration of history and archaeology with clear, educational takeaways and approachable conversation.

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Which podcasts are similar to Curiosity Meets The Past?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Curiosity Meets The Past:

1. Radiolab
2. Ologies with Alie Ward
3. American History Hotline
4. Beastly History
5. Hidden Brain

How many episodes of Curiosity Meets The Past are there?

Curiosity Meets The Past launched a year ago and published 36 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Curiosity Meets The Past?

Recent guests on Curiosity Meets The Past include:

1. Alex McDougal
2. Jennifer Berry
3. Richard Newton
4. Dr. Danny Bate
5. Mehrnoush Soroush
6. Alex Dainis
7. Marc Barkman-Astles
8. Megan Lewis

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