The Other Ancient Civilisations: Interview with Raven Todd DaSilva
Oct 17, 2024
auto_awesome
Raven Todd DaSilva, an archaeologist and founder of the YouTube channel Dig It With Raven, chats about her book, which uncovers lesser-known ancient civilizations. She reveals the fascinating Unetice culture’s mysteries and highlights the innovative Thule people of the Arctic. The discussion navigates through the impact of pseudoscience on archaeology, critiques historical fashion, and emphasizes the importance of accessible education. With humor and insight, DaSilva encourages a broader appreciation for diverse cultures and their stories within history.
The podcast highlights the underappreciated ancient civilizations beyond Egypt and Rome, emphasizing their potential lessons for humanity and societal development.
Raven Todd DaSilva discusses the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in archaeology, advocating for broader perspectives to uncover deeper connections in human history.
Deep dives
Exploring the Vastness of Ancient Cultures
The episode emphasizes the significant gaps in our understanding of ancient civilizations, particularly those that are less celebrated compared to iconic cultures like Egypt or Rome. It highlights that our knowledge of many societies comes primarily from a few archaeological sites, which may not represent the entirety of a culture that spanned hundreds or thousands of years. The discussion reflects on how both specialists and the general public often overlook these lesser-known civilizations, despite their potential to teach important lessons about humanity and societal development. The podcast invites listeners to appreciate and learn more about the complexities of these forgotten histories.
The Role of Public Engagement in Archaeology
The podcast features an exploration into the role of platforms like YouTube in archaeology, where accessibility and public engagement become crucial for disseminating knowledge. The guest, an archaeology communicator, shares how she started her YouTube channel to fill the gaps in educational content that she identified as a student. Her work aims to counter the sensationalized narratives often found in mainstream media and instead foster a deeper understanding of the everyday nuances of historical societies. By making archaeological concepts relatable and entertaining, she aspires to create a more informed public, countering the tide of pseudoscience that is prevalent online.
The Significance of Diverse Archaeological Perspectives
The discussion addresses the benefits of having a broad, interdisciplinary approach to archaeology rather than being overly specialized in one area. The guest articulates how examining various cultures allows for better understanding and correlation of human experiences across different times and places. This perspective encourages questioning established narratives in archaeological research and how specialists may miss critical connections due to their narrow focus. By integrating diverse viewpoints, archaeologists can ask more profound questions and enrich the overall understanding of human history.
Uncovering the Fascinating Thule People
The episode highlights the Thule people, ancestors of the modern Inuit, who migrated across the Arctic, showcasing their adaptability and technological sophistication. The Thule developed unique hunting strategies relying on whales and other sea mammals, demonstrating human ingenuity in extreme environments. Their story is pieced together from archaeological findings and indigenous oral histories, illustrating the importance of both material evidence and cultural narratives in understanding the past. The discussion reinforces the notion that uncovering such histories enriches our appreciation of human resilience and the diversity of cultural practices in harsh climates.
When we think of the ancient world, we tend to think of just a few societies: Egypt, Mesopotamia, and so on. But the more distant reaches of the past contained multitudes, and Raven Todd DaSilva has written a new book - The Other Ancient Civilisations - about some of them. I chat with her about her favorite lesser-known archaeological cultures and periods and what we can learn from a broader view of the past.
Patrick's book is now available! Get The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World in hardcopy, ebook, or audiobook (read by Patrick) here: https://bit.ly/PWverge. And check out Patrick's new podcast The Pursuit of Dadliness! It’s all about “Dad Culture,” and Patrick will interview some fascinating guests about everything from tall wooden ships to smoked meats to comfortable sneakers to history, sports, culture, and politics. https://bit.ly/PWtPoD
Listen to new episodes 1 week early, to exclusive seasons 1 and 2, and to all episodes ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/tidesofhistory