Peopling the Past

Looking Forward: Ethical Futures for Archaeological Practice with Yannis Hamilakis

Join us for the final episode of season 4, featuring Dr. Yannis Hamilakis, who talks to Chelsea and Melissa about his vision for a decolonial future for ancient archaeology. Listen in as Yannis tells us about how archaeology is a living, breathing practice that must recognize its relationship to the present and discusses his work with his students at Brown University as well as in the field in Greece.

Protecting Heritage in Times of Conflict with Isber Sabrine

In times of ongoing war, how can antiquities be protected from damage and looting? On today's episode, Dr. Isber Sabrine, the co-founder of Heritage for Peace, joins us to talk about his work preserving cultural heritage in the midst of armed conflict. Listen in as Isber discusses the importance of local communities in remembering their own pasts and the organizations working to give voice to those impacted by conflict.

Between the Tigris and the Thames: Heritage Practice with Zena Kamash

How can archaeologists connect to the communities that share the cultural heritage they work on? Dr. Zena Kamash joins Chelsea and Melissa this week to discuss her work with Iraqi communities in the UK and in Iraq itself as she uses craftwork to bring the public together with cultural heritage and to foster wellbeing. Listen in as Zena tells us how she builds community through cautious intention and how outreach can be most effective on a personal scale.

Critical Futures for Ancient Studies with Mathura Umachandran

How should we confront modern inequities in ancient Mediterranean studies? Is it possible to reenvision the place of Greece and Rome in the ancient world overall? In this week's episode, Dr. Mathura Umachandran joins Chelsea and Melissa to reimagine Classics through the lens of Critical Ancient World Studies (CAWS). Join us as we discuss the work of the CAWS collective in expanding our understanding of ancient studies and Mathura shares their vision of a future that embraces the complex truth of the place of "Classics" in the ancient and modern worlds.

Selective Salvage: Archaeology and Hydropolitics

What happens to people and antiquities when giant dams are built and lands are flooded? In this week's episode, Dr. William Carruthers joins Chelsea and Melissa to talk about the construction of dams on the Nile and their impact on Nubian communities as well as ancient sites along the river. Listen in as Dr. Carruthers explores what it means to move entire temple complexes and whole towns while preserving the tourist's view from the Nile.