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New Scientist Podcasts

Weekly: The truth about Iron Age women; Climate whiplash and the LA wildfires; Rebooting the world’s first chatbot

Jan 17, 2025
Discover how new archaeological findings reveal that Iron Age women were pivotal figures in Celtic society, challenging long-held beliefs. Learn about 'climate whiplash' and its role in the devastating wildfires across Los Angeles, showcasing the urgent need to address climate change. And, take a humorous journey through the resurrection of the world’s first chatbot, ELIZA, exploring its limited interactions compared to modern AI, as well as the intriguing emotional connections people are forming with AI companions.
30:20

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Recent archaeological findings suggest Iron Age women in Celtic societies held significant power and high societal status, challenging previous narratives.
  • The concept of 'climate whiplash' highlights increasing weather extremes impacting California, stressing the urgent need for action against climate change.

Deep dives

Celtic Women and Matrilocal Societies

Recent genetic archaeological findings reveal that Celtic tribes during the Iron Age were organized around women, with the societal structure emphasizing matrilocality. In a study of a 2,000-year-old burial site in Dorset, evidence showed that married women remained in their ancestral homes while husbands moved in from external communities. This challenges the long-held narrative that depicted women as having lower status and often displaced. The research aligns with growing archaeological evidence highlighting the empowerment and high status of women within these societies.

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