Weekly: The truth about Iron Age women; Climate whiplash and the LA wildfires; Rebooting the world’s first chatbot
whatshot 18 snips
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.
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insights INSIGHT
Celtic Women's Status in Iron Age Britain
New archaeological and genetic evidence reveals that Celtic tribes in Iron Age Britain, specifically the Durotiges, were matrifocal.
This challenges previous assumptions about women's roles in ancient societies and supports Roman accounts of empowered Celtic women.
insights INSIGHT
Non-Patrifocal Societies in Iron Age Europe
Archaeological findings over the past 20 years increasingly suggest non-patrifocal societies in Iron Age Europe.
Evidence includes high-status female burials, gendered burial clusters, and matrilineal descent patterns, challenging traditional patriarchal narratives.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Long-Distance Movement in Iron Age Europe
Genetic analysis reveals individuals moving across long distances, such as a Dutchman buried in Dorset and a Dorset man buried in France.
This mobility confirms archaeological theories of individual movements and interactions, rather than mass migrations, driving social change.
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This book is not mentioned in the transcript, but the episode description mentions Rebecca Wragg-Sykes' book, 'Kindred', which is about Neanderthals. The book likely explores the social structures and behaviors of Neanderthals, offering insights into early human societies. It may challenge traditional assumptions about early human life and gender roles. The book's significance lies in its contribution to our understanding of Neanderthal culture and its implications for broader anthropological studies. It may also touch upon the broader themes of human evolution and adaptation.
Matriarch
Tina Knowles
No description available.
Episode 285
New archaeological evidence from Iron Age Britain has shaken up long-held beliefs about the role of women in ancient civilisations. By studying the genes of the Durotriges tribe, who lived in Dorset 2000 years ago, researchers have discovered women were the centrepiece of Celtic society - supporting evidence that they had high status across Europe. Rachel Pope, Reader in European Prehistory at the University of Liverpool, explores the “jaw-dropping” findings. We also hear from author and archaeologist Rebecca Wragg-Sykes, who explains why we shouldn’t be surprised that women in prehistory had such power and autonomy.
Sudden swings in weather extremes caused by climate change could be to blame for the wildfires spreading across Los Angeles. The effect, known as “climate whiplash”, is becoming increasingly common and has wide-reaching implications, threatening crops, water supplies and more. And with the news that we breached 1.5C of global warming in 2024, we discuss what this all means for our climate goals.
The world’s first chatbot, ELIZA, has been resurrected. Created by MIT computer scientist Joseph Weizenbaum in the 1960s, it contains just 420 lines of code and is a very basic precursor to the likes of ChatGPT and Gemini. The team demonstrates its (limited) capabilities live on the show. They also discuss news of a woman who has an AI boyfriend on ChatGPT…that she has sex with.
Hosts Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet discuss with guests Rachel Pope, Rebecca Wragg-Sykes, James Dinneen and Madeleine Cuff.
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