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The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week
Ancient Tweezers, Modern Leprosy, Space Rock Recycling
Oct 11, 2023
PopSci's Laura Baisas discusses ancient tweezers and screams, Rachel explains leprosy past, present, and future, and Sara Kiley talks about tools and weapons made from space rocks. They delve into the mystery of ancient iron artifacts and explore the use of meteorites in construction. The podcast also addresses the increase in leprosy cases and dispels misconceptions about the disease. Additionally, they uncover Roman tweezers and ancient hair removal practices, discussing cultural reasons and comparing them to modern methods.
53:10
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Quick takeaways
- Archaeological findings in the UK have revealed the use of tweezers for hair removal in ancient Rome, shedding light on the historical perspective on body hair and cultural significance of hair removal.
- Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy, is making a comeback in the US with high stigma, but it is easily treatable and efforts are needed for awareness and access to healthcare.
Deep dives
Romans and Hair Removal: The Painful Practice of Armpit Hair Plucking
Archaeologists in the UK have uncovered over 50 Roman tweezers used for plucking armpit hair. This practice, which was painful and performed mostly by slaves, was described by philosophers such as Seneca, who complained about the shrill cries of the armpit hair pluckers. The tweezers were found at the Roxeter Roman city site, which was a bustling urban center during the Roman occupation. Romans placed importance on body hair removal for cultural and religious reasons. Men removed their hair to signify purity, while women removed hair to conform to beauty standards and attract men. This discovery sheds light on the historical practices and attitudes towards hair removal.
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Discover
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Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode