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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
Apple Podcasts
Patreon
Storytelling
Community Engagement
Art
Linguistics
Accent Coaching
Authenticity
Speech Patterns
Ancient Civilizations
Andean Archaeology
Inca Empire

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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes32Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for Curiosity Meets The Past

Latest Episodes

We've been around for 1 year! Sharing some highlights and updates in this bonus episode.

Mentioned in the episode:

* Video on podcasting challenges: youtu.be/COOhPl9eEJg?si=gNCIPaVDbARIiTHJ

* Curiosity Meets the Past Instagram: w... more

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What can a crumbling family scrapbook reveal about history and the way diasporic communities make meaning? Religious scholar, Dr. Richard Newton, guides us through the surprising story of how a scrapbook handed to him by his mother became the catalys... more

YouTube

Where did the English alphabet come from, and how do we know? Linguist and writer, Dr. Danny Bate, guides us through the archaeology and linguistic history behind the letters many of us use every day. In our conversation, we explore what various arch... more

YouTube

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

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
Madeline Robinson
Archaeologist and PhD candidate at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
Episode: What 3D Modelling Reveals About the Past

Host

Dr. Smiti Nathan
Host of Curiosity Meets The Past; archaeologist; leads conversations with researchers and educators.

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 77 ratings
  • 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 States8 months ago
  • Gay

    Gay

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    beaviss420
    United States10 months 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 States10 months 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
  • Making History Engaging and Accessible

    I love how this podcast makes history both engaging and accessible. I have to admit that I wasn’t a huge fan of history in school, but the content makes this field so much more relatable and welcoming. Wonderful job!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    K8_ify
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise accessible, engaging archaeology discussions that balance depth with clarity.
Quality guest questions and thoughtful exploration are frequently highlighted by listeners.
A few critics mention pacing or delivery style as a drawback for certain episodes.
Production quality and guest diversity are commonly commended; some note the host's vocal delivery varies in preference.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#150
Japan/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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1. Radiolab
2. Hidden Brain
3. Hoax!
4. Data Over Dogma
5. This American Life

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Curiosity Meets The Past launched a year ago and published 32 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. Jennifer Berry
2. Richard Newton
3. Dr. Danny Bate
4. Mehrnoush Soroush
5. Alex Dainis
6. Marc Barkman-Astles
7. Megan Lewis
8. Lingxin Zhang

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