Aug 10 2017

How Bioarchaeology Works

55 min 3 movies discussed
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Thanks to advancements in fields like genetics, and molecular chemistry, archaeology is undergoing a renaissance and opening up new understanding of the past.

AI Summary

# Summary

This Stuff You Should Know episode dives deep into bioarchaeology, the cutting-edge field that's revolutionizing how we understand ancient civilizations by combining archaeology with scientific analysis of bones, teeth, and even ancient poop. Josh and Chuck explore how researchers are moving beyond the Indiana Jones-style adventures to uncover the real stories of everyday people through isotope analysis, DNA testing, and studying coprolites, revealing everything from what people ate and where they migrated from to the social hierarchies of their societies. They also discuss the ethical complexities of disturbing ancient graves and the important push to repatriate cultural artifacts back to indigenous communities.


Movies Discussed

Poltergeist
Poltergeist
1982 1h 54m
★ 7.2
"the dial-up sound like poltergeist — Referenced in a podcast advertisement comparing the AOL dial-up sound to the movie Poltergeist."
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Raiders of the Lost Ark
1981 1h 55m
★ 7.9
"it's hard to find an archaeology article on the internet that doesn't mention Indiana Jones — Josh comments on how frequently Indiana Jones is referenced in archaeology articles and its cultural impact on the field." — Josh
What the Health
What the Health
2017 NR 1h 37m
★ 6.8
"I saw this documentary recently called What the Health, I think, is on Netflix or whatever — Chuck references a documentary about diet and health that discusses whether humans are herbivores or omnivores." — Chuck

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