Episode
Digging Up the Past with Sarah Parcak
39:28
Published: Tue Jan 31 2023
Description
Sarah has the coolest job: Space Archaeologist.She uses satellites to find undiscovered sites buried deep beneath the ground. But the real interesting stuff is what we can learn about ourselves from studying our past.This is… A Bit of Optimism. Watch Sarah's first TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFC5CwZVCEw&themeRefresh=1Watch Egypt's Lost Cities on the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011pwms
Chapters
Using satellite and aerial imaging, space archaeologists can map archaeological sites and features on the ground, making it easier to locate and explore new sites.
00:00 - 03:03 (03:03)
Summary
Using satellite and aerial imaging, space archaeologists can map archaeological sites and features on the ground, making it easier to locate and explore new sites. Thousands of new sites have been discovered by Dr. Sarah Parcak and her team through this approach.
EpisodeDigging Up the Past with Sarah Parcak
PodcastA Bit of Optimism
Technologies for discovering underground structures are being used all over the world, leading to the discovery of larger sites such as Angkor Wat and previously unknown pyramids.
03:03 - 07:52 (04:48)
Summary
Technologies for discovering underground structures are being used all over the world, leading to the discovery of larger sites such as Angkor Wat and previously unknown pyramids.
EpisodeDigging Up the Past with Sarah Parcak
PodcastA Bit of Optimism
Looking at archaeological evidence of the past, humans have been shown to be perfectly adapted to every environment they encountered, including movement out of Africa.
07:52 - 13:38 (05:46)
Summary
Looking at archaeological evidence of the past, humans have been shown to be perfectly adapted to every environment they encountered, including movement out of Africa. In contrast, there are concerns about the future of humanity's dependence on technology that may lead to a lack of environmental adaptability.
EpisodeDigging Up the Past with Sarah Parcak
PodcastA Bit of Optimism
The decrease in monsoon rainfall due to solar flares caused a series of droughts over 50 years in Egypt, studying this period helps in understanding the shift in societies due to climate change, disease or war.
13:38 - 18:31 (04:53)
Summary
The decrease in monsoon rainfall due to solar flares caused a series of droughts over 50 years in Egypt, studying this period helps in understanding the shift in societies due to climate change, disease or war.
EpisodeDigging Up the Past with Sarah Parcak
PodcastA Bit of Optimism
The population of ancient Egypt grew exponentially with the construction of temples and pyramids, requiring thousands of people to support the infrastructure, with water being the most essential resource to support the large groups of people, especially in areas that rely on rice.
18:31 - 22:47 (04:15)
Summary
The population of ancient Egypt grew exponentially with the construction of temples and pyramids, requiring thousands of people to support the infrastructure, with water being the most essential resource to support the large groups of people, especially in areas that rely on rice.
EpisodeDigging Up the Past with Sarah Parcak
PodcastA Bit of Optimism
The Egyptian superstructures started getting larger and more complex while experimenting with mud bricks before building pyramids.
22:47 - 26:53 (04:06)
Summary
The Egyptian superstructures started getting larger and more complex while experimenting with mud bricks before building pyramids. The Bent Pyramid was a complex that led architects to improvise in its construction.
EpisodeDigging Up the Past with Sarah Parcak
PodcastA Bit of Optimism
The concept of a good death is often taboo, however, ancient Egyptians believed it was important to be surrounded by friends and loved ones when passing away.
26:53 - 30:35 (03:41)
Summary
The concept of a good death is often taboo, however, ancient Egyptians believed it was important to be surrounded by friends and loved ones when passing away. This belief is what connects archaeologist Dr. Kara Cooney to her work excavating in Egypt.
EpisodeDigging Up the Past with Sarah Parcak
PodcastA Bit of Optimism
The amount of information that people receive today is infinitely more than that of peasants living in rural England a thousand years ago, but does it make us wiser?
30:35 - 36:01 (05:25)
Summary
The amount of information that people receive today is infinitely more than that of peasants living in rural England a thousand years ago, but does it make us wiser? Looking at the wisdom of ancient cultures, such as their approach to death and advancements in astronomy, may provide insight into what we can learn from them.
EpisodeDigging Up the Past with Sarah Parcak
PodcastA Bit of Optimism
The key to building communities is to take care of each other, love each other, and keep each other safe.
36:01 - 39:19 (03:18)
Summary
The key to building communities is to take care of each other, love each other, and keep each other safe. If we focus on these values, we can be optimistic for a better future.