Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Hosted by archaeologist Dr. Smiti Nathan, each episode features conversations with researchers, artists, and folx from diverse backgrounds who uncover unexpected stories behind objects, places, and people. No background in history or archaeology needed - just your curiosity.
**New episodes coming Oct. 2026**
Learn more at smitinathan.com/podcast
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/curiositymeetsthepast/
Cover art by Laura Fajín Riveiro & theme music by Noor Hanania
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
One Year Anniversary Update for Curiosity Meets the Past
We've been around for 1 year! Sharing some highlights and updates in this bonus episode.
Mentioned in the episode:
Video on podcasting challenges: https://youtu.be/COOh
Jun 24 7 min
Curiosity Exchange x Broadcast Seeding: Gender Violence in Late Antiquity
Mentioned on the show:
Full episode (website): https://sowingtheseed.org/podcast/episode-21-gender-violence-in-late-antiquity-with-dr-jennifer-barry/ Full episode (Apple
Jun 19 26 min
Decoding Diaspora Through a Family Scrapbook
What can a crumbling family scrapbook reveal about history and the way diasporic communities make meaning? Religious scholar, Dr. Richard Newton, guides us through the su
Jun 16 24 min
The Archaeology Behind the English Alphabet
Where did the English alphabet come from, and how do we know? Linguist and writer, Dr. Danny Bate, guides us through the archaeology and linguistic history behind the let
Jun 2 29 min
Rethinking Water History at Shushtar in Iran
What can water systems tell us about people in the past and present? Landscape archaeologist, Dr. Mehrnoush Soroush, guides us through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of S
May 20 29 min
The Curious History and Science of Blimps
Where did blimps come from, and why are we fascinated by them? Geneticist and blimp enthusiast, Dr. Alex Dainis, guides us through the history of these sky vessels, the s
May 6 21 min
What Archaeology Can Bring to the Classroom (and Beyond)
What can archaeology bring to the classroom and beyond? Archaeologist and filmmaker, Marc Barkman-Astles, guides us through the workshops he runs across England and Wales
Apr 21 20 min
The Ancient Deities People Called Upon
Which deities did ancient people call upon when they needed help? Assyriologist and public educator, Megan Lewis, guides us through some of the surprising sources scholar
Apr 8 20 min
The Making and Remaking of the Zodiac in Roman Egypt
What can ancient astrological handbooks tell us about the lives of women around 2000 years ago? Egyptologist, Dr. Lingxin Zhang, guides us through fragmented papyri, recy
Mar 25 28 min
What 3D Modelling Reveals About the Past
What can we uncover about the past when we look at it in three dimensions? Archaeologist, Madeline Robinson, guides us through a shipwreck, ancient temples in Malta, and
Mar 10 27 min
When Egyptian and Canaanite Temples Met
What can we learn when we look closely at temples that deviate from the “norm?" Archaeologist and Egyptologist Dr. Brooke Norton guides us through certain sacred spaces w
Feb 24 28 min
Inside the Physics of Past Textile Techniques
What can we learn when we look at the physics of past textile techniques? Physicist, Dr. Sabetta Matsumoto, takes us inside the inner workings of an Egyptian knitted sock
Feb 10 29 min
Curiosity Exchange x History Daily: The Pirate Trial of 1720
Mentioned on the show:
https://www.historydaily.com/
🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan
✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com
🎙️ Curiosity Meets T
Dec 27 2025 16 min
Curiosity Exchange x Legends and Lectures: Artifacts & Us
Mentioned on the show:
Legends and Lectures full episode: https://youtu.be/3BNMMNliFiw?si=_H9eKZo3LlUW5at8Legends and Lectures podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list
Dec 23 2025 26 min
2025 Year-End Updates for Curiosity Meets the Past
Sharing some quick year-end updates as we close out 2025!
🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan
✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com
🎙️ Curiosity Meet
Dec 22 2025 5 min
Unsealing the Past
What can small lumps of clay reveal about the past? Archaeologist Dr. Siobhan Shinn takes us inside her work on clay sealings from sites in Egypt and Sudan. These unassum
Dec 17 2025 23 min
The Sound of Living Heritage
What can the sounds of everyday life reveal about the past? Podcast producer and host of ReCurrent, Jaime, brings us inside his storytelling process that connects sound a
Dec 3 2025 18 min
How Archaeologists Are Rethinking 5,200 Andean Holes
What can over 5,200 holes carved into an Andean hillside reveal about ancient life? Digital archaeologist, Dr. Jacob Bongers, takes us inside his team’s new research at M
Nov 18 2025 27 min
Reconnecting with Archaeology Through Giving Back
How can volunteering become a way back into archaeology? Archaeologist and research analyst, Dr. Sneh Patel, shares how volunteering in her hometown of Nashville helped h
Nov 4 2025 25 min
What Tiny, Overlooked Bones Reveal About the Paleolithic
What can tiny, overlooked bones tell us about Paleolithic life, technology, and art? Archaeologist and paleoanthropologist, Dr. Giulia Gallo, reveals how these fragile fr
Oct 21 2025 26 min
Chart positions
Where Curiosity Meets The Past ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 20, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I came upon this podcast by accident and I’m thankful that I did. Words, maps, DNA —- there’s so much to learn from the past and we can elect to repeat it or not. (Ir)regardless, this collection is enriching, enlightening, educational, entertaining. . . . Thank you!
jefffort · Aug 2025
I just listened to the latest episode of the podcast series and was delighted by the content, narrative structure, and thoughtful questions. Its great listening to archaeological research from an expert in their own words and getting the benefit of an archaeologist host who asks very thoughtful questions that direct the flow of the interview. The content on medieval urbanism and integrating mapping with documentation and excavation is made more meaningful with links to urbanism in the contemporary.
Abbybright · Aug 2025
I love how this podcast makes history both engaging and accessible. I have to admit that I wasn’t a huge fan of history in school, but the content makes this field so much more relatable and welcoming. Wonderful job!
K8_ify · Aug 2025
Dr. Smiti Nathan creates a welcoming environment for her guests to explore their interests in ways that are both relatable and educational. I really appreciate her ability to engage with academics and get them to open up in ways you don’t often hear on academic podcasts. Her style makes the conversations enjoyable and approachable, and I always come away having learned something new.
BearVillint · Aug 2025
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Curiosity Meets The Past, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
