And My Trowel

Ash and Tilly continue their discussion on archaeo-construction with experimental archaeologist and living historian Caroline Nicolay. Together, they outline the details of how to complete their quest of reconstructing a Fallohide seasonal settlement for the Anduin Fallohide Fellowship of Museums and Antiquity. Listen in to hear all about upside-down baskets, thatching (at a pinch), and why you need to build a wall before you can paint it. Links Earth building UK and Ireland Heritage Craft Association Caroline’s website Vernacular thatching with Alan Jones, Wales "Retrofit", what's that about? Retrofit for old buildings Book recommendation from Caroline: Thatch: Thatching In England 1790-1940: Pt. 1 (English Heritage Research Transactions). Letts, John; Moir, James Contact Email: [email protected] Instagram: @‌and.my.trowel Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/64 ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet APN Store Affiliates Motion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s time to get out our plastering trowels out, because this episode Ash and Tilly are (re)joined by experimental archaeologist and archaeo-construction expert Caroline Nicolay. Together, the three tackle the quest of reconstructing a Fallohide (hunter-gatherer hobbit) seasonal home for the Anduin Fallohide Fellowship of Museums and Antiquity. But all is not as simple as it seems… Listen in to hear why burnt clay is so important, what a vampire did tohis historic castle, and how you too can become a mud mason. Books mentioned: Den of Wolves (Juliet Marillier) The Bards of the Bone Plain (Patricia A. McKillip) The Viscount of Adrilanka (Steven Brust) Your Coffin or Mine (Jacklyn Hyde) Legends and Lattes (Travis Baldree) Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea (Rebecca Thorne) Carpe Jugulum (Terry Pratchett) Links The Scottish Crannog Centre Caithness Broch Project Article on experimental reconstruction of houses Cologne University daub project Caroline’s website Contact Email: [email protected] Instagram: @‌and.my.trowel Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/63 ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet APN Store Affiliates Motion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this second episode, Tilly and Ash continue their quest with archaeologist and potter, Emma Harrison, to catalogue the Pennykettle Dragon Sanctuary’s current collection of (alive) dragon figurines! Join them as they explore layers of archaeological clay, deep buckets of glaze, and ponder the question: ‘are you made of poo?’ Links The Myth of Prometheus Bogborn Website Bogborn instagram Contact Email: [email protected] Instagram: @‌and.my.trowel Transcripts For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/XX For a transcript of this episode, tap the Zencastr icon on in the upper left corner of the Podcast image. ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet APN Store Affiliates Motion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode Ash and Tilly are scaling it down and looking at how to analyse tiny little clay dragons from the Pennykettle Dragon Sanctuary. The catch? They are alive! Which means that any destructive methods of analysis covered in previous episodes are no longer on the table. Luckily for our clay-ignorant duo, they are joined by archaeologist and professional potter Emma Harrison. Together, the three chat about playing around with clay, the diversity of sentient objects in fantasy fiction, and how a pair of socks can unveil Tilly’s childhood trauma.Books mentioned:Kiln people (David Brin)Paladin’s Strength (T Kingfisher)Swordheart (T Kingfisher)Nettle and Bone (T Kingfisher)The Fire Within (Chris O’Lacey)The Lord of the Rings (J. R.R. Tolkien)Foundryside (Robert Jackson Bennett)Foul Days (Genoveva Dimova)Blackthorn and Grim (Juliet Marillier)Buried Deep and Other Stories - “Seven” (Naomi Novik)LinksBogborn WebsiteBogborn instagramContactEmail: [email protected]: @‌and.my.trowelTranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/61ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s part two of Ash and Tilly’s archaeological survey of the Discworld (as popularised through the written works of Sir Terry Pratchett), and if you thought Tilly had rambled enough in the last episode, you have underestimated her ability to spout information about this fantasy book series! Listen in to hear about the significance of material culture, the impact of belief systems, and why comedic writing is comparable to archaeological research.Books mentioned:Godkiller (Hannah Kaner)LinksStone of SconeMonotheism and AkhenatenSanctuary of Asklepios at EpidaurusContactEmail: [email protected]: @‌and.my.trowelTranscriptsFor transcripts of this episode, head over to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/60ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The day has finally arrived, where Tilly can ramble on to her heart’s content about her obsession with Terry Pratchett’s writing, because Ash and Tilly are conducting an archaeological survey of the Discworld! Listen in to hear Ash frantically trying to keep her co-host on track and they navigate the landscapes and societies of the Disc, marvel at the complexity of the archaeological theory, and generally prove that Tilly has read these books far too many times.Books mentioned:Terry Pratchett’s Discworld seriesCrocodile on the Sandbank (Elizabeth Peters)LinksGoing Postal filmEntanglement Theory by Ian HodderConcept of stratigraphyEdinburgh underground streetsContactEmail: [email protected]: @‌and.my.trowelTranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/59ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

While the APN takes a break this holiday season we’re using this opportunity to present you with other great content on the network. Please enjoy this episode of The Past Macabre!In this first of a two-part series, The Past Macabre travels back to Late Iron Age Britain before the Roman conquest to explore the world that shaped one of history’s most famous warrior queens: Boudica. Her story has been told many times for nearly two millennia, but what is the truth behind the Celtic warrior queen who stood against Rome? Uncover the archaeology of her tribe the Iceni, from sacred sites, workshops, and homesteads. We’ll explore the first contacts between Rome and Britain as early as the 2nd century BCE to Caesar’s failed invasion in 54 BCE and the uneasy alliances that turned native leaders into Roman client-kings. Then we'll look at how growing disunity amongst the Celts paved the way for Emperor Claudius' invasion in 43 CE.Learn about the hoards of treasure, settlements, burials, and hillforts found across England and what they can tell us about the world Boudica was born into at a time of rapid social, economic, and political change.LinksThe Past Macabre PodcastContactEmail: [email protected]: @‌and.my.trowelArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The APN is taking a holiday break. We’re using this opportunity to present you with something you may not have heard from another episode on the network.Tea Break Archaeology Ep 37: The Archaeology of NotebooksI hope that you have a writing utensil handy, because you’ll want to make some notes for this one! In this episode, Matilda takes a dive into the origins and archaeology of the simple notebook. But what actually is a notebook? What materials have they been made from throughout history? And did an ancient Egyptian king really predict AI? Listen in to find out!Tea Break ArchaeologyLinks:The Archaeologist’s Teacup blog post on notebooksArchaeology magazine article on the history of writingSmithsonian article on world’s oldest papyrusArticle on wax tabletsArticle on clay tabletsClay tablet exampleArticle on paper makingArticle on book bindingMatilda’s Contact DetailsEmail: [email protected] intro and outro music is royalty and copyright free: “Best buddies 12609” by Kinemesis_Musica (sourced through pixabay)ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ash and Tilly are back on The Continent, silver swords polished, potions brewed, and trowels at the ready! After mapping The Witcher’s wild landscapes, they turn their attention to the real treasures of the world: its people, societies, and material culture. Through swords, cities, and stories, they uncover layers of coexistence, conflict, and memory that define Sapkowski’s world.The Witcher Series:Books: The Last Wish, Sword of Destiny, Blood of Elves, Time of Contempt, Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, The Lady of the Lake, Season of Storms, and Crossroads of Ravens.Games: The Witcher, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, The Witcher 4 (release date 2026/2027)TV Series: The Witcher (Netflix)LinksWhat is experimental archaeology?What is Material Culture?ContactEmail: [email protected]: @‌and.my.trowelTranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/58ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Ash and Tilly set out on an archaeological survey across The Continent—the dark, layered world of the The Witcher! From the ruins of Kaer Morhen to the forests of Dol Blathanna, they explore how landscapes, material culture, and societies reveal the deeper histories beneath Andrzej Sapkowski’s Slavic-inspired fantasy universe. Join them as they dig into the Conjunction of the Spheres, the rise of humans, and the relics of vanished civilisations, all while fending off drowners, spectral elves, and the occasional moral quandary!The Witcher Series:Books: The Last Wish, Sword of Destiny, Blood of Elves, Time of Contempt, Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, The Lady of the Lake, Season of Storms, and Crossroads of Ravens.Games: The Witcher, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, The Witcher 4 (release date 2026/2027)TV Series: The Witcher (Netflix)LinksBog Bodies Research Project - National Museum of IrelandThe Witcher UniverseContactEmail: [email protected]: @‌and.my.trowelTranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/57ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ash and Tilly are back with art conservator and supernatural sleuth Jessica van Dam to finish unraveling the mystery of the haunted artefacts from the Jinu Preservation Society. From tiger-and-magpie paintings to suspiciously stylish hats, the trio dive deep into Korean demons, dokkaebi, and ghostly folklore—with a few detours into their favorite K-dramas. Expect myths, mayhem, and more giggles than exorcisms. Will they cleanse the cursed collection… or will Tilly perish under the weight of Ash and Jess’s K-drama obsession?Books mentioned:Mort (Terry Pratchett)The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea (Axie Oh)Supernatural Encounters in South Korea (Shawn Morrisey)The Floating World (Axie Oh)The Demon and the Light (Axie Oh)Thousand Beginnings and Endings (Ellen Oh, et al)The God and the Gumiho (Sophie Kim)Crane Among Wolves (June Hur)Ghost Nocturne (Ananas, illustrated by C. R. Jade)Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (singNsong, illustrated by Sleepy-C)Ash and Jess’s K-Drama Recs:My DemonKing of the LandGenie, Make A WishDear HongrangBon Appétit, Your MajestyBusiness ProposalLovers of the Red skyHead over HeelsHotel Del LunaGoblin, the Great and Lonely GodHaunted PalaceTomorrowMr. QueenScarlet Heart RyeoMystic Pop-up BarStrong Girl Do Bong Soong100 Days My PrinceChicago TypewriterMy Roommate Is A GumihoImitationLet Me Be Your KnightSecret royal inspector and joyTrue beautyRiver where the moon risesHometown cha cha chaWelcome to SamdalriLovely Runner (a must watch ;))LinksJessica’s WebsiteContactEmail: [email protected]: @‌and.my.trowelTranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/56ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ash and Tilly are tasked with investigating a mysterious box from the Jinu Preservation Society, but one artefact might be possessed! Luckily, their on-call spooky specialist, art conservator Jessica van Dam, is here to help. Together they explore Korean demons, dokkaebi, and gwisin to uncover the truth behind the eerie objects. Expect folklore, fun, and a few distractions (looking at you, carpet gnome Idol festival!) as the team begins their supernatural investigation!Books mentioned:Mort (Terry Pratchett)The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea (Axie Oh)Supernatural Encounters in South Korea (Shawn Morrisey)The Floating World (Axie Oh)The Demon and the Light (Axie Oh)Thousand Beginnings and Endings (Ellen Oh, et al)The God and the Gumiho (Sophie Kim)Crane Among Wolves (June Hur)Ghost Nocturne (Ananas, illustrated by C. R. Jade)Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (singNsong, illustrated by Sleepy-C)Movies Mentioned:K-Pop Demon HuntersLinksJessica’s WebsiteDark Side of SeoulOverseas Korean Cultural Heritage FoundationTiger and Magpies in Korean ArtContactEmail: [email protected]: @‌and.my.trowelTranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/55ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tilly is a bit under the weather this week so we were not able to record an episode of And My Trowel. Luckily both of us are in another new show, so we thought we would share that with you instead!Listen in to the first episode of the Archaeo Book Club podcast!Join Tilly, Judith, and Ash as they wade into our June reading theme: Under the Sea.In this “field notes” discussion, we share our own experiences with watery archaeology, from shipwrecks and submerged cities to muddy river finds, and talk about how this theme has surfaced in our work, studies, and reading. We swap favourite anecdotes, explore why underwater and riverway archaeology matters, and look at how interest in the topic has evolved over time.Monthly Book: Mudlarking: Lost and Found on the River Thames by Lara MaiklemOther books mentioned:Doggerland: Lost World Under the North Sea (read for free here)LinksProject Doggerlandhttps://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/trowel/35https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/hq-downloads/amt-36Submerged Project, University of YorkContactEmail: [email protected]: @‌and.my.trowelArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this slightly different episode, Ash and Tilly discuss the different ways that mental health is both affected by and perceived within archaeology and fantasy fiction. Tune in to hear their discussion on the importance of community, managing expectations, and how many archaeology-related puns they can stuff into a 30-minute episode.LinksWorld Mental Health DayArticle on crafting to alleviate stressArticle on archaeology and PTSDArticle on self awareness and excavationOperation NightingaleArticle on trauma and archaeologyBooks MentionedBlackthorn and Grim (Juliet Marillier)Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea (Rebecca Thorne)Witches Guide to Magical Innkeeping (Sangu Mandanna)Rewitched (Lucy Jane Wood)Lord of the Rings (J. R. R. Tolkien)A Song of Ice and Fire (George R. R. Martin)Sword of Truth series (Terry Goodkind)ContactEmail: [email protected]: @‌and.my.trowelTranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/54ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s conference season! To prepare for an upcoming meeting of the Extremely Obvious and Regular Society of Wizards, Ash and Tilly discuss their conference experiences and all that these events entail. How would you put a stake in a vampire’s ramblings? Stop a werewolf from mooning over the buffet table? Prevent a debate between wizards from becoming too heated? Listen in to find out!Books mentioned:Deep Secret (Diana Wynne Jones)Shatterglass (Tamora Pierce)Discovery of Witches (Deborah Harkness)Discworld series (Terry Pratchett)LinksEuropean Association of ArchaeologistsThe European Archaeology Newsletter ArticleWeathertop Site ReportEXARCTheoretical Archaeology GroupAPN Discord ServerArchaeo Book ClubArchaeo Book Club podcastTea-break Archaeology podcastContactEmail: [email protected]: @‌and.my.trowelTranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/53ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In part two, Ash and Tilly continue their quest to help The Karnithril Collegium of Wall Lore record the disappearing graffiti of Thar-Vael! With expert help from archaeological illustrator and visual science communicator, Jona Schlegal, the team define the meaning of graffiti and figure out the question: are dragon’s wings the mystical equivalent of on-site sun-blocking jackets?LinksJona’s Instagram @‌archeoinkJona’s TwitterJona SchlegelProject IndigoPast Forward HubContactEmail: [email protected]: @‌and.my.trowelArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode, Ash and Tilly have a new quest from the Karnithril Collegium of Wall Lore to document vanishing graffiti. They are joined in their quest by archaeologist and visual science communicator Jona Schlegel, who shares her insight based on her previous research into graffiti along the Danube canal in Vienna. Together the three discuss those most pressing of questions: What actually is graffiti? How can you become a field archaeologist in different countries? And will Ash finally make Tilly that cup of tea?Books MentionedHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (JK Rowling)Thud (Terry Pratchett)Going Postal (Terry Pratchett)City of Brass (S.A. Chakraborty)Perdido Street Station (China Miéville)The Bone Season (Samantha Shannon)The Shadowshaper (Daniel José Older)The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)The City of Ember (Jeanne DuPrau)Hairy Maclary and Friends series (Lynley Dodd)LinksJona’s Instagram @‌archeoinkJona’s TwitterJona Schlegel – Archaeological Science Communication & Knowledge ManagementProject IndigoContactEmail: [email protected]: @‌and.my.trowelTranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/51ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In part two of their Lembas Bread quest, Tilly and Ash continue their ingredient hunt with Caroline Nicolay (Pario Gallico) in order to help the Lembas Appreciation Society analyse the oldest existing sample of the explementary whey bread. The team continue their discussion around living history, food, and experiential archaeology, asking the big questions of: what is food waste? How can we break down assumptions of food in the past? And are bogs actually fridges?LinksCaroline’s WebsiteCaroline’s InstagramHuldremos WomanIsotope and Strontium Analysis in ArchaeologyEXARCAncient Caledonia CampChalk History FestivalContactEmail: [email protected]: @‌and.my.trowelTranscriptsFor rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/trowel/50ArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN StoreAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.