Peopling the Past

About Peopling the Past

Join hosts Dr. Chelsea Gardner and Dr. Melissa Funke for a journey through under-explored aspects of archaeology, history, and everyday life in the ancient Mediterranean. Every week we feature an expert whose cutting-edge research sheds light on the real people who lived in ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, and beyond. Follow us on Twitter @peoplingthepast with the #peoplingpodcast, on Instagram and Facebook @peoplingthepast, and on our website peoplingthepast.com.

Publisher

Chelsea Gardner, Melissa Funke

Category

arts · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Sept 2020

Latest episode

29 Jul 2025

Latest episodes

51 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Jul 2025

   Looking Forward: Ethical Futures for Archaeological Practice with Yannis Hamilakis

   Join us for the final episode of season 4, featuring Dr. Yannis Hamilakis, who talks to Chelsea and Melissa about his vision for a decolonial future for ancient archaeology. Listen in as Yannis tells us about how archaeology is a living, breathing practice that must recognize its relationship to the present and discusses his work with his students at Brown University as well as in the field in Greece.

2. 

   15 Jul 2025

   Protecting Heritage in Times of Conflict with Isber Sabrine

   In times of ongoing war, how can antiquities be protected from damage and looting? On today's episode, Dr. Isber Sabrine, the co-founder of Heritage for Peace, joins us to talk about his work preserving cultural heritage in the midst of armed conflict. Listen in as Isber discusses the importance of local communities in remembering their own pasts and the organizations working to give voice to those impacted by conflict.

3. 

   8 Jul 2025

   Between the Tigris and the Thames: Heritage Practice with Zena Kamash

   How can archaeologists connect to the communities that share the cultural heritage they work on? Dr. Zena Kamash joins Chelsea and Melissa this week to discuss her work with Iraqi communities in the UK and in Iraq itself as she uses craftwork to bring the public together with cultural heritage and to foster wellbeing. Listen in as Zena tells us how she builds community through cautious intention and how outreach can be most effective on a personal scale.

Who has been a guest on Peopling the Past

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Mathura Umachandran
• Dr William Carruthers
• Allison Mickel
• Hardeep Dhindsa
• Dan Hicks

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

29 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

49 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 55 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

58

Social presence

94

YouTube

0

Engagement

85

Contact Peopling the Past

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.