In our 7th and final episode of Season 3, Amanda and Kleanza archaeologist, Gwen Topacio invite UCLA art historian and Associate Director for Research and Knowledge Creation at the Getty Research Institute, Nancy Um, to share her extensive knowledge around the subject of coffee. It turns out that Nancy and Gwen both share a great enthusiasm and curiosity about the subject and their conversation is a delight! From origins, colonization, and globalization; to the archaeology of vessels, and the power within the walls of coffee houses; to brewing methods, kinship, and making memories, coffee has a very special place in history and in our lives every day. We hope you enjoy this lively exchange, and if you are interested in learning more, please check out the links to Nancy’s books here:
The Merchant Houses of Mocha: Trade and Architecture in an Indian Ocean Port:
AND
Shipped but not Sold: Material Culture and the Social Protocols of Trade during Yemen’s Age of Coffee:
In Episode 6, Amanda and Kleanza Archaeologist, Kevin Haugrud, explore the subject of Geographic Information Services with GIS Specialist Mikaela Bennett, from Ecora in Kelowna. She explains how she uses different types of software to look at both spatial (ie. map) and tabular information (ie. spreadsheet) to get answers about a point or area. The conversation covers techniques, the possibilities inherent in this work, its’ challenges, and a bit about a career in GIS. Kevin got answers to all his questions which we hope he can explore more out in the field!
And if you want to dig a bit deeper into this subject, visit https://ecora.ca/
Our friend and field geophysicist, Péter Takács, from GeoScan Subsurface Surveys, joins Kleanza archaeologist Sheriff Hossain to talk about Ground Penetrating Radar. Their conversation touches on having a career in GPR, its advantages, different techniques, and the challenges of using GPR in archaeological, and geophysical surveys. This is one of Sheriff’s passions and he was able to gather a wealth of information to take into his work out in the field.
And if you want to dig a bit deeper into this subject, visit https://www.geoscan.ca/
We start the New Year with an incredibly moving and uplifting story. Amanda and guest host Brady McBride welcome Debbie Nagano, Director of Heritage for the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government and Dr. Grant Zazula who heads the Yukon government’s paleontology program to tell the story of the mummified baby mammoth, Nun Cho Ga, found in 2022. They discuss the profound opportunity this powerful event provides for Indigenous communities to learn about their own story, about their heritage, and reconnect to their language and the land. This small baby has brought healing to the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in community and possibly changed the practice of paleontology. And so we honour Nun Cho Ga’s life.
*Content warning:* In this episode, Indian Residential Schools, gravesites, sacred sites and ancestral remains are discussed. These discussions may re-traumatize or trigger listeners because of the sensitive content related to the search for unmarked graves of children who attended Indian Residential Schools. If you experience trauma or feeling triggered, help is available 24/7 for survivors and their families through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. Mental health support for Indigenous Peoples across the land known as Canada is available through the Hope for Wellness chatline at 1-800-721-0066 or using the chat box at https://hopeforwellness.ca/. The Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society provides information about these and other supports that are available: https://www.irsss.ca
In Episode 3 Amanda and guest host Joseph LeBrun and have an amazing conversation with Dr. Camilla Townsend, historian and professor of history at Rutgers University. She spent over 10 years learning the Náhuat language to be able to analyze the historical annals written in the 16th and 17th centuries by the Nahuas (or Aztecs) in their own language. Spanish friars taught them the Roman alphabet so that they could be better Christians, but in the privacy of their own homes, the native people used the phonetic system to record their own traditional histories, which had previously been kept orally. They did this not for the Spaniards, but for the sake of their own posterity. Through the texts that they produced, we can gain insight into the ways in which Indigenous people conceptualized history at first contact and imagined the future. And Indigenous perspectives, in their own words, are given their deserved full weight.
For those of you who’d like to dig deeper into this subject, here is a link to Dr. Camilla Townsend’s book, Fifth Sun.
Canada: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/fifth-sun-a-new-history-of-the-aztecs/9780190673062.html
USA: https://www.abebooks.com/9780190673062/Fifth-Sun-New-History-Aztecs-0190673060/plp
*Content warning:* In this episode, Indian Residential Schools, gravesites, sacred sites and ancestral remains are discussed. These discussions may re-traumatize or trigger listeners because of the sensitive content related to the search for unmarked graves of children who attended Indian Residential Schools. If you experience trauma or are feeling triggered, help is available 24/7 for survivors and their families through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. Mental health support for Indigenous Peoples across the land known as Canada is available through the Hope for Wellness chatline at 1-800-721-0066 or using the chat box at https://hopeforwellness.ca/. The Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society provides information about these and other supports that are available: https://www.irsss.ca
We continue Season 3 as Amanda and guest host Gary Brewer talk with Robin Greubel - CEO of K9Sensus.
Robin has been involved in detection work since 2001, beginning in wilderness and human remains detection (HRD), which expanded into disaster work. She trains and deploys with Nebraska Task Force 1 and Iowa Task Force 1, and is a certified explosives and narcotics detection dog handler.
Gary has a new pup, Rosie, and they talk about what it takes to train a dog (and handler), and expand archaeological work to include detection dogs.
Please take care while listening to this episode as there is content about Indian Residential Schools, gravesites, sacred sites and ancestral remains that may cause trauma, or re-traumatize listeners. Consider identifying where you will turn for help if needed.
*Content warning:* In this episode, Indian Residential Schools, gravesites, sacred sites and ancestral remains are discussed. These discussions may re-traumatize or trigger listeners because of the sensitive content related to the search for unmarked graves of children who attended Indian Residential Schools. If you experience trauma or are feeling triggered, help is available 24/7 for survivors and their families through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. Mental health support for Indigenous Peoples across the land known as Canada is available through the Hope for Wellness chatline at 1-800-721-0066 or using the chat box at https://hopeforwellness.ca/. The Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society provides information about these and other supports that are available: https://www.irsss.ca
Welcome to Season 3 where Amanda includes members of her archaeological team as guest hosts. They each pick a subject they love and a dream guest to interview!
In Episode 1, Amanda welcomes Curt Carbonell who interviews Dr. Marie Hopwood about her research regarding the production and cultural significance of alcohol in past societies. She also has a research partnership with Dave Paul of Loveshack Libations, a micro-brewery in Qualicum Beach, where they brew modern takes on ancient beers based on archaeological evidence. From ancient beer recipes, to societal norms and practices regarding alcohol, to the cultural importance of passing down knowledge - this is a fascinating conversation!
For anyone who would like to dive deeper, here is a link to “A Hymn To Ninkasi” (the goddess of brewing) as referenced in the episode https://cdli.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/cdli-tablet/552 . You can see a picture of the hymn on one of the tablets and there is a common translation included in the description text.
Thank you for hanging with us throughout Dig This Season 2! In this, the season’s final episode, Archaeologist Kay Jollymore talks with Jenny about mentorship!
From her start in the Cariboo area and throughout her career, Kay celebrates the generous people who made a difference in her career. She shares the value of becoming a mentor, how to be a good one, mentor, different kinds of mentors including the benefits of horizontal collegial mentorships.
Looking at in-the-field and in-the-office formal and ad-hoc training, Kay and Jenny discuss the responsibilities of both the mentor and mentee, but also how professional associations, businesses and clients can and should support and make space for this work. And the importance of mentorship to building capacity in First Nations communities to support their control of their own heritage materials.
No matter what, mentorship is deeply enriching, rewarding and so often, a joyful experience!
Celebrating our team this Gratitude Season, each Kleanza archaeologist chose to discuss a subject that was important to them. In Episode 21, Jenny talks with archaeologist Kevin Haugrud about women in archaeology!
Kevin shares his gratitude for all the women he has worked with and for, in his career. Touching on mining, oil and other industry platforms, camp culture, toxic masculinity, healthy company values and fatherhood, he observes that his mentors, colleagues and bosses have been primarily women.
“Women archaeologists? Keep them. Get more of them.”Kevin talks about how their perspectives, teaching and management styles, values and priorities have impacted his work and personal life in such a positive way.
Gratitude Season continues with Episode 20. Today Jenny, and Kleanza archaeologist Manda Palmer gently, with compassion and vulnerability, have a very difficult but important discussion about harassment, abuse, rape, sexual assault, mental health and burnout in the practice of archaeology…and our obligation, to ourselves now, and to the next generation.
Again, it feels like we're just scratching the surface, but it’s a start. And we touch on a few solutions too. The content will be alarming to some, and we have included more detailed information in the Show Notes, as well as resources, should you need them. Most importantly, please take care of yourself.
SHOW NOTES:
To our dear listeners, this episode contains content that may be triggering. Please check the show notes for specific time code indicators and for a list of resources, should you need them. Most importantly, take care of yourself.
From 17:30 onward, the conversation centers around sensitive issues until the end of the episode.
Here are specific timecodes and information:
RESOURCE LIST:
Today Jenny hosts Kleanza archaeologist, Gary Brewer, to talk about how differently archaeology, both federally and provincially, is handled across our country. Provinces don’t all do things the same way?! Whaaaaaat?!
Gary has worked across Canada and the US, with expertise in CRM, Academia and Regulation. He is imminently qualified, but also able to offer a rare combination of knowledge, experience and perspective regarding the challenges posed by such differing ways and views of managing archaeology and heritage. Is a consistent federal and provincial legislative approach even needed? Who benefits from a system change or from the status quo? Everyone can agree on the significance of some sites - but how they are to be managed is another story.
Jenny and Gary explore some really tangible solutions to the issue. It’s beginning to feel like the needle has flipped as practitioners, the public, and lawmakers, are all having the same discussion. A cause for optimism? We hope so…!
In Episode 18, Jenny is joined by archaeologist Mirjana McIntyre, for a serious discussion about working with First Nations in their territories. About involving, listening and acknowledging what Indigenous communities want. About the importance of developing deep and respectful relationships. What meaningful consultation really means. And tangible ideas to empower First Nations, ensuring that they have sovereignty over their land, sacred sites and archaeological finds.
This begins with understanding and acknowledging the impact that colonial systems have had and still have on communities, and our responsibility as allies to move the practice of archaeology forward, to put culture and heritage first.
Gratitude Season continues!
Today, our archaeologist, Tannis Wilson, talks about the importance of preserving organic materials and wet site finds, as well as building this capacity in Indigenous communities. She does this through the lens of caring for and preserving 2000+ year old fishing weirs.
Archaeologists are at a bit of a trust deficit when it comes to communities, because of the terrible history. Sharing knowledge to inspire future generations, and always honouring the cultural significance and value placed on finds by each Nation, can do a lot to earn that trust back.
Watch Since Time Immemorial, the short film Jenny and Tannis discussed in this episode.
Welcome to Episode 16!
Today our archaeologist, Curt Carbonell, uses his experiences in the military and as a distiller and mixologist to explore the subject of public outreach. The perception of archaeology as - a cerebral, exclusive, academic pursuit by primarily settler gatekeepers in ivory towers - needs to change. Or we won’t be able to attract (very much needed) new students, or garner public understanding and support for our work.
A reckoning with our historical, inherited image is urgent. Jenny and Curt explore tangible actions that could change the whole landscape of archaeology and who is practicing archaeology.
This week we begin our GRATITUDE SEASON. It’s been a rough couple of years with COVID, and we wanted to celebrate our wonderful team and talk about subjects that matter to them. And do it in a way that’s not a client conversation, or getting trucks out the door, or figuring out what happened with the shovels!
Archaeologist Suzy Carruthers shares her experience with and thoughtful insight on the subject of repositories and Indigenous Museology.
Changes to BC legislation are being driven by UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) and the adoption of DRIPA (The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act). She reminds us that repatriation is important and urgent. And museums in BC, Canada, and indeed all over the world, have a template for how this can work.
In PART 2 of our conversation with archaeologist, assistant professor, blogger, podcaster, and eBook publisher, Bill White, he talks about problematic colonial cultures in archaeology and education, and his work to decolonize those associations, organizations, and institutions. Alongside his work using community-based participatory research to investigate the past of multi-racial neighbourhoods, Bill is working to build an archaeology community that is anti-racist, anti-harassment, pro-equality, pro-opportunity - and one that is kind, inclusive and supportive. "Stay in the old pith-helmet archaeology or join us, who are figuring a new way in the new world.” Thank you for your inspiration Bill.
To learn more about us and our work, visit kleanza.com
Welcome to Season 2, Episode1! A passionate and articulate archaeologist, assistant professor, blogger, podcaster, and eBook publisher, Bill White joined us from University of California Berkeley. His work focuses on using community-based participatory research to investigate the past of multi-racial neighbourhoods and areas. We learn about how he's building an archaeology community that is anti-racist, anti-harassment, pro-equality, pro-opportunity - and one that is kind, inclusive and supports each other. He had so many insights…stay tuned for PART 2!
To learn more about us and our work, visit kleanza.com
