Sphinx Thinks is the human and natural history podcast, decoding humanity through archaeology, anthropology, and environment.
From our evolutionary origins to the ancient civilisations and innovations that got us where we are today, we'll explore the timeline of our deep past.
I'll be interviewing leading researchers and specialists, to uncover how bones, stones, and the environmental record reveal where we came from, how we lived, and how the world around us shaped everything from our diet and health to our culture and civilisations.
Archaeological Abuse in Nationalist Propaganda: How German Heritage Has Been Ideologically Abused and a Note on Reframing These Misleading Narratives
Focusing on the exploits of Hans Reinerth and the prehistoric archaeological research undertaken under Nazi rule, it is evident that the abuse and manipulation of archaeological evidence can be dangerously instrumental in ideological propaganda. The field of archaeology must not only endeavour to learn from this to implement guidelines and precautions to mitigate the abuse of the past, but actively amend erroneous research, with public sites becoming more transparent about how they wer...
18 Nov 2024
The Prehistory of Malta with Professor Simon Stoddart
Professor Simon Stoddart is professor of prehistory at the University of Cambridge, and Director of Studies at Magdalene College. In this episode we discuss Simon's early interests in archaeology and how his career took him to research in Malta.From the landscape to the incredible megalithic temples and interpretations of burials, we discuss the the fascinating history of the island of Malta.
6 Mar 2024
From Curation to Repatriation: a Career in Osteology with Dr Trish Biers
Dr Trish Biers is Curator of the Duckworth Laboratory at the University of Cambridge. We discuss her early start in the field and where her interests have taken her - across the world in a variety of incredible positions from the Smithsonian Institute to right here in Cambridge.
We cover everything from repatriation and paleopathology to advice on studying in the US vs the UK and getting into a career in osteology.
27 Aug 2023
Childrearing: How Different Systems Shape Us with Dr Emily Emmott
Dr Emily Emmott is a lecturer in Human Behavioural Ecology at UCL. Specialising in extended and institutional child-rearing systems (such as parenting, grand-parenting, schooling and social care provisions) and their implications for health and wellbeing (including health-related behaviours. We discuss the limitations of taking an evolutionary perspective on childrearing, the burden on intensive parent systems on caregivers, and gender differences in parental investment and offspring prospects; ultimately, it is impossible to say there is a 'right way' to raise a child.
1 Aug 2023
Biomolecular Archaeology with Professor Matthew Collins
Professor Matthew Collins is a Niels Bohr Professor at the University of Copenhagen and the McDonald Chair of Palaeoproteomics at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at the University of Cambridge. We discuss his journey to becoming a leading academic in the field, and his interests within the discipline.
Within the world of biomolecular archaeology we track through palaeoproteomics and its applications, the integration of scientific disciplines into archaeology, and ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry).
For more archaeology and anthropology check out our website at www.sphinxthinks.com
2 Jun 2023
The Indus Valley with Professor Cameron Petrie
Professor Cameron Petrie is professor of South Asian and Iranian Archaeology at the University of Cambridge. We discuss his journey to becoming an archaeologist, and finding his field, as well as his present work in the region.
In the Indus region, we discuss the relationship between the settlers in the past and how they interacted with their environment - as well as what this means for the future of sustainable research.
Check out the website www.sphinxthinks.com for more on archaeology and anthropology!
27 Dec 2021
Palaeolithic: Mobility & Group Relations with Dr Amy Clark
Movement, mobility and migration - what can these facets of human behaviour in the archaeological record tell us about our past social relationships? Dr Amy Clark - lecturer and researcher at Harvard University - joins me to discuss this topic as well as her research in Morocco.
Amy discusses what the structures and spatial distributions of groups across a landscape can tell us about group size, relationships and movement. We cover what evidence is used to explore these patterns in the archaeological record, as well as what we can learn about changes over time in the Palaeolithic.
Follow @thesphinxthinks on Instagram, @sphinx_thinks on Twitter and check out the website (http://www.sphinxthinks.com (http://www.sphinxthinks.com/)) and YouTube for more information and updates on all things archaeology, anthropology, biology and more!
Please leave a rating and comment, and I welcome suggestions for future episodes, improvements or ideas. I hope you enjoy the show!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesphinxthinks/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sphinx_thinks
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSFHtiBcx3P903dl8ljqzaw
Website: https://www.sphinxthinks.com/
23 Nov 2020
Primates: Cognition, Culture & Environment with Dr Kathelijne Koops
Cognition, culture and environment - how do they work together to influence primate behaviour? What can tool use and behavioural patterns tell us about primate society?
Studying primates provides one of the best insights into the evolutionary origins of human behaviours. To truly understand how and why certain behaviours are adopted (and differ) in primate species, a combination of factors must be considered. If you want to learn about tool use, nesting and behavioural patterns, if you want to understand primate culture, then this is the episode for you! Dr Kathelijne Koops and I discuss the impact of the interaction of cognition, culture and environment on primate behaviour - unfolding the stories of our closest living relatives.
Follow @thesphinxthinks on Instagram, @sphinx_thinks on Twitter and check out the website (http://www.sphinxthinks.com (http://www.sphinxthinks.com/)) and YouTube for more information and updates on all things archaeology, anthropology, biology and more!
Please leave a rating and comment, and I welcome suggestions for future episodes, improvements or ideas. I hope you enjoy the show!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesphinxthinks/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sphinx_thinks
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSFHtiBcx3P903dl8ljqzaw
Website: https://www.sphinxthinks.com/
17 Nov 2020
Zooarchaeology with Professor Peter Rowley-Conwy
From agriculture to human culture and society, there is more to zooarchaeology than just bones! Discover what we know about the human past from zooarchaeology and how we use animals to decipher history...
When and why was agriculture adopted so differently across the globe? How can we use zooarchaeology to explore domestication and feasting? What does zooarchaeology tell us about status and human society? In this episode Peter and I discuss all of these questions and explore much more about the fascinating field of zooarchaeology!
Follow @thesphinxthinks on Instagram, @sphinx_thinks on Twitter and check out the website (http://www.sphinxthinks.com (http://www.sphinxthinks.com/)) and YouTube for more information and updates on all things archaeology, anthropology, biology and more!
Please leave a rating and comment, and I welcome suggestions for future episodes, improvements or ideas. I hope you enjoy the show!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesphinxthinks/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sphinx_thinks
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSFHtiBcx3P903dl8ljqzaw
Website: https://www.sphinxthinks.com
10 Oct 2020
Palaeolithic with Professor Paul Pettitt
The earliest period in our human past - the Palaeolithic. This fascinating period covers human evolution and our early innovations as Homo Sapiens. The Palaeolithic really encompasses everything about us as a species...
Why did humans develop art? When do we first see cave art? When did humans start burying the dead? Professor Paul Pettitt and I discuss all this and much more in the episode - it's all about the Palaeolithic!
Follow @thesphinxthinks on Instagram, @sphinx_thinks on Twitter and check out the website (http://www.sphinxthinks.com (http://www.sphinxthinks.com/)) and YouTube for more information and updates on all things archaeology, anthropology, biology and more!
Please leave a rating and comment, and I welcome suggestions for future episodes, improvements or ideas. I hope you enjoy the show!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesphinxthinks/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sphinx_thinks
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSFHtiBcx3P903dl8ljqzaw
Website: https://www.sphinxthinks.com
5 Oct 2020
Neanderthals, Bones & Burials with Dr Emma Pomeroy
Neaderthals are plagued with stereotypes - brutish, simple and less human hominids. However, evidence increasingly suggests they were capable of abstract thought and compassion just like us.
What evidence do we have of Neaderthal compassion? How can we learn about the cultures of our ancestors through archaeology? How can studies of health in the past inform our understanding of health today? For all this and more, join me and Dr Emma Pomeroy as we discuss Shanidar Cave and osteoarchaeology...
Follow @thesphinxthinks on Instagram, @sphinx_thinks on Twitter and check out the website (http://www.sphinxthinks.com (http://www.sphinxthinks.com)) and YouTube for more information and updates on all things archaeology, anthropology, biology and more!
Please leave a rating and comment, and I welcome suggestions for future episodes, improvements or ideas. I hope you enjoy the show!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesphinxthinks/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sphinx_thinks
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSFHtiBcx3P903dl8ljqzaw
Website: https://www.sphinxthinks.com/
1 Oct 2020
Bioarchaeology with Dr Rebecca Gowland
Archaeology tells us about the human past, but it's not all dirt and digging. We can explore how human biology has changed through time, through skeletons and sampling, it's all about bioarchaeology!
Ever wondered how healthy people were in the past? Why we know where prehistoric people have lived and travelled? Or even what an Egyptian ate for breakfast?
Then today's episode is for you. Rebecca and I discuss how we can find out about the biology, behaviour and even cultures of people in the past all through their bones.
Follow @thesphinxthinks on Instagram, @sphinx_thinks on Twitter and check out the website (http://www.sphinxthinks.com (http://www.sphinxthinks.com)) and YouTube for more information and updates on all things archaeology, anthropology, biology and more!
Please leave a rating and comment, and I welcome suggestions for future episodes, improvements or ideas. I hope you enjoy the show!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesphinxthinks/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sphinx_thinks
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSFHtiBcx3P903dl8ljqzaw
Website: https://www.sphinxthinks.com/
19 Sept 2020
Chimpanzee Communication with Dr Cat Hobaiter
Chimpanzees are our closest living ancestor, and we are also theirs. We know how our biology has evolved - but what about our communication.
Communication is a trait common to many organisms - but we don't all communicate in the same way. Join me (Georgina Holmes) and Dr Cat Hobaiter as we uncover why language is more than just vocalisation, and find out how we can understand what our fellow primates are trying say...
Follow @thesphinxthinks on Instagram, @sphinx_thinks on Twitter and check out the website (http://www.sphinxthinks.com (http://www.sphinxthinks.com)) and YouTube for more information and updates on all things archaeology, anthropology, biology and more!
Please leave a rating and comment, and I welcome suggestions for future episodes, improvements or ideas. I hope you enjoy the show!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesphinxthinks/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sphinx_thinks
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSFHtiBcx3P903dl8ljqzaw
Website: https://www.sphinxthinks.com/
9 Sept 2020
Primatology with Charlotte Frearson
Primates are our closest living relatives. We know they can learn from us, but what can we learn from them?
What is primatology? Should we study primates in zoos? And what can they teach us about evolution? Dive into the world of primatology with me (Georgina Holmes) and Charlotte Frearson as we discuss this fascinating field of research which provides an insight into humanity and evolution.
Follow @thesphinxthinks on Instagram, @sphinx_thinks on Twitter and check out the website (http://www.sphinxthinks.com (http://www.sphinxthinks.com)) and YouTube for more information and updates on all things archaeology, anthropology, biology and more!
Please leave a rating and comment, and I welcome suggestions for future episodes, improvements or ideas. I hope you enjoy the show!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesphinxthinks/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sphinx_thinks
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSFHtiBcx3P903dl8ljqzaw
Website: https://www.sphinxthinks.com/
9 Jul 2020
Introduction
I'll be interviewing specialists, leading researchers and passionate figures to find out about their field, interests and what the future holds.
The podcast will glimpse into all aspects of humanity studied vis-à-vis evolution, behaviour, culture, history, and the environment. We can look to the climate of the past and see how it has and will shape us. Explore animal life on Earth and zoo-archaeology. And delve into the societies that have been and past, as well as those of today, discovering what we can learn about our lifestyle from others.
https://www.sphinxthinks.com/podcast (https://www.sphinxthinks.com/podcast)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
371
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
25
Social presence
0
YouTube
64
Engagement
68
Contact Sphinx Thinks
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Sphinx Thinks?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
