If Objects Could Talk

Resting Bust Face

Why is The Vexed Man making that scrunched up face? Has he tasted a lemon? Smelled a skunk? Nope—that’s just his thinking face! This intensely tense alabaster sculpture

Purrquoise the Traveling Cat

As soon as he arrived in Los Angeles, Purrquoise, the turquoise cat, was a star. But this charismatic kitty traveled a long way to get here! Made in China in the 1750s, h

The Magnificent Microscope and the Fabulous Flea

It’s a knight! It’s a cat! No, it’s a…flea? Picture it: the French countryside, 1751. A young flea prepares for his moment in the spotlight—of a magnificent gold and sha

Coming Soon: Bastille Day (and Season 2)

Announcing Season 2, this mini-episode features Purrquoise, a bright turquoise porcelain cat that was made in China in the 1700s and has traveled the world ever since. No

(Rerun) Snake Charm on Your Arm

(Rerun) How does a snake bracelet celebrate her favorite holiday? Learn about gold jewelry, the meaning of snakes for ancient Egyptians, and the Roman holiday of Saturnal

Going for Glory: A History of the Ancient Olympics

You probably know that the Olympics started in ancient Greece, but did you know that they started as just a single running race? Or that the athletes—all male—competed na

Introducing Constant Wonder Kids: Do Plants Think?

This season on If Objects Could Talk we imagined what would happen if museum objects could talk. But have you ever wondered if plants could talk?  To dig into this quest

Your Ultimate Saturnalia Gift Guide!

From bad poetry and papyrus to candles and boar, give the gifts any Roman would love to receive with our Ultimate Saturnalia Gift Guide! (Cue the air horns.) In this spe

Culture Kids Collab: You're Invited to an Ancient Roman Dinner Party! (Part 2)

This week we’re sharing part two of our collaboration with the Culture Kids podcast. (Head back to the feed for part one if you haven't listened yet!) Asher and his mom

Culture Kids Collab: Culture Train Time Travel to Ancient Rome! (Part 1)

This week we’re sharing a collaboration with the Culture Kids podcast. Asher and his mom Kristen join If Objects Could Talk producer Zoe at the Getty Villa Museum to lear

(Rerun) All's Fair in Love and Games

(Rerun) Does this acrobatic astragalos (an ancient kind of dice) have what it takes to win the big game? Learn about the twists and turns of ancient gameplay and how shee

Introducing Who Arted: The Treasures of King Tutankhamun's Tomb

This week we're sharing an episode of another art history podcast we love! Who Arted celebrates art in all of its forms and in terms anyone can understand. Each episode t

The Case of the Missing…Me?!

Like a noir detective, this key with a horsehead handle becomes embroiled in a mysterious disappearance—her very own! Help her investigate the blacksmith’s workshop and s

Dude, Where’s My Sheep?

This dancing Satyr—half goat, half man, all prankster—is on the move, sealing important documents that travel across Etruria, a pre-Roman civilization. With his good-luck

A Water Jug Spills the Tea

One of the three women on this hydria (water jug) gives us a peek at some old-fashioned water cooler gossip. At a time before indoor plumbing, the water fountain was a ce

Lar, Help Us!

Start your day the Roman way with an offering to this pocket-sized household demigod called a Lar. Follow along with a family’s daily rituals and routines and hear how th

Schooled by a Fish

Blowing glass is just like blowing bubbles, sort of. This fish flask is used to leading a school (she is a fish, after all!) so she’ll teach you all about Roman glassblow

I’m Ready for My Closeup Meow

This Egyptian cat statuette is here to set the record straight. Yes, she’s a little bit of a diva, but don’t all cats deserve to be worshiped? No, she’s not really the go

Light on Your Feet

A pair of feet lights up the scene—literally. This feet-shaped lamp knows he’s a little silly, but he’s got some seriously important work to do! Hear about how ancient ho

A Very Brave Owl

What dangers await Athena’s brave and loyal owl at the Greek marketplace? This Athenian coin shares his take on how money was made and used in ancient Greek city states—a