Ben Yeoh Chats Mary-Ann Ochota: Adventure, Resilience, Unveiling Hidden Histories, Archeology And The Ancient World
Mary-Ann Ochota is a broadcaster, anthropologist, and writer known for her work on Time Team and books on archaeology and the British landscape.
“Archaeology is ultimately about people – the stories of people in the past and how they lived their lives.”
Mary-Ann discusses her visits to Chernobyl, British henges and the Australian Simpson Desert; exploring themes of resilience and environmental recovery.
“One of the big misconceptions is that archaeology is just about digging things up.”
She shares insights on ancient British sites and the broader implications of sustainable development and access to nature. We discuss her role as president of the Countryside Charity and her thoughts on the future of rural development are highlighted, along with her creative writing process and advice for connecting with nature.
“We’re all living on top of layers of history, whether we realise it or not.”
Transcript and links: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/4/4/mary-ann-ochota-adventure-resilience-unveiling-hidden-histories-archeology-and-the-ancient-world-podcast
Summary Contents:
00:31 Exploring Chernobyl's Impact
04:59 The Resilience of Nature
05:55 Adventures in the Simpson Desert
13:56 Ancient Sites in the UK
17:10 Access to Nature and Social Barriers
31:56 The Ridgeway National Trail
38:33 Exploring the Purpose of Henges
39:29 Ancient Feasts and Food Waste
40:15 Reevaluating Ancient Civilizations
44:32 Imagination and Environmental Crisis
47:53 Balancing Hope and Realism
50:06 Writing Process and Creative Challenges
01:04:24 Sustainable Development and Land Use
01:11:32 Life Advice