Podcast
Story Archaeology
Hosted by Chris Thompson and Isolde Carmody · EN
Story Archaeology combines the knowledge and skills of the storyteller with academic exploration of ancient texts. The main focus is the Irish tradition but at https://storyarchaeology.com, you will find an archive of podcast articles, stories and translations as well as new podcast conversations with people from around the world who have ‘Stories in the Landscape’ to share.
15episodes
Episodes
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Chris’ Ramble 23 ~ Animal Companions in Early Irish Law and Folklore
1w ago00:28:55Tap to summarizeAnimal companions have played a variety of important roles in human societies over the millenia. Join Chris as she explores how , dogs, cats and even the occasional crane, here or there, have been regarded and regulated both in the comprehensive early Irish law texts as well as the stories, mythology and folklore. Oweynagat: Cave of the Cats Links for this Episode This episode includes Isolde's explanation of the many grades of poet that existed, File, Bards, and even Bramble Hounds A useful article on the background to pre-Norman, early Irish law. The Lost Legal System: Pre-Common Law Ireland and the Brehon Law by Dr Noelle Higgins Fled Bricrenn: The Road to Cruachan
Transcribe →Conversation with Phillipa Klaiber
3w ago00:39:52Tap to summarizeFrom 'Understories', by Phillipa Klaiber Phillipa Klaiber is an artist, specialising in photography, who celebrates stories in the landscape through her evocative images and poetry. Join Chris and Phillipa as they explore two of Phillippa's photographic projects, Understories and Vorest, and anticipate a new project inspired by the great river Shannon. In this conversation we discuss images from both Understories and Vorest. These links will allow you to enjoy the images and poetry either, during or after, listening to the conversation. Phillipa's photograph from 'Vorest' discussed in this episode The archive image discussed in this episode.
Transcribe →Chris’ Ramble 22: Concerning Animal Companions
Apr 2000:15:01Tap to summarizeRecent DNA testing on a long ignored jawbone fragment has opened a viewpoint on the distant past to when and how animal companions began to alter the everyday lives of human communities. Join Chris as she explores this new research and wonders, on the way, what 'pet' names might they have chosen! I will be following up this ramble with one exploring animal companions in early Irish stories. If you would rather read than listen, a transcript is available for this episode. Links for this episode Listen to Chris' Ramble 21: Sheebeg and Other Cairns Dogs were widely distributed across western Eurasia during the Palaeolithic: Lead Author: William Marsh. Published in 'Nature' in March 2026. Direct link to the paper. Read the article from the Natural History Museum UK National Geograophic article on the earliest images of domestic dogs Scavenger and Sentry:The Roles of Dogs at Çatalhöyük. Author: Nerrissa Russell Ancient_Felines_and_the_Great_Goddess. I haven't fully read this yet but include it as it might be of interest. Ipuy's wife with her cat An ostracon with'cartoon' cats.
Transcribe →Chris’ Rambles 21: Sheebeg and Other Cairns
Mar 29Tap to summarizeSheebeg in the snow Dolmens, Barrows, Cairn ? They were built millennia ago to transport the human memory and imagination from one world to another and, in so many different ways, they still do. Join Chris on a personal exploration of these liminal places as she considers not only their archaeological importance but the impact they can still have on our twenty-first century experience. Carrowkeel Story Archaeology links for this Ramble Tales of Sheebeg: The 1931 excavation Tales of Sheebeg Podcast episode from 2012 Wider Links for this episode ~ including loads more information and pictures This is an unusual audio 'ramble' where I visit a great many ancient sites, cains, caves, even castles, I have included sites in England, Scotland and even Australia as well as Ireland. To do them justice, I have included links to sites that will offer good quality information, maps, images, and more. There are too many links to add to this page so I am providing a new dedicated 'Gallery Page'.
Transcribe →Chris Ramble 20 ~ What is so special about the Cath Maige Tuired?
Feb 1000:29:17Tap to summarizeThe Eglone Stone, Moytura The settling of the The Tuatha Dé Danann in Ireland and their struggle against the mysterious Fomoire, form the central strand of the ancient Irish Mythological Story Cycle. Join Chris as she explores why this great cycle of stories might just be the 'Jewel in the Crown' of Irish mythology. Explore series 2: The Battle of Moytura. Episodes 1- 6 Explore series 2: The Battle of Moytura. Rpisodes 7 - 12 Explore the new 'audio' modern re-telling of the Cath Maige Tuired designed for a wider audience including, but not limited, to older children. A telling of the Táin bó Fraích The Well and the Cheese ~ The unlikely story of Medb and her sisters If you explore further into the Story Archaeology archive You will encounter plenty of other articles, translations and information concerning the Mythological Cycle.
Transcribe →Chris Ramble 19: Hidden in Plain Sight
Jan 1100:29:11Tap to summarizeStories in the landscape of Uzbekistan Sunrise over Khiva .One of the best travel experiences is to have all your preconceived perceptions overthrown without having time to gathered them up again. Join Chris as she explores the unexpected 'stories in the landscape' encountered in a recent trip to Uzbekistan. market in Tashkent Links for this episode Find out more about Igor Savitsky and the Museum gallery in Nukus as well as the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan Take a look at some images of the Tashkent metro. Find out more anout the 2025 Bukhara Biannial Explore a gallery page of images and more The Ulugh Beg Madrasa: Samarkand Thanks Thanks to my wonderful travelling companions Jackie and Phil. The chances of sharing this visit with a history teacher and a comparative mythologist must have been extremely unlikely but I couldn't have had more thoughtful and interesting companions. Your insights and interests really enhanced the whole experience. Thanks also to our guide KiKi who was knowledgeable , patient and, well, fun! Thanks also to Travel the Unknown a company I would highly recommend for their friendly, easily accessed support, choice of trips, and flexibility.
Transcribe →The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 12~ The Land Restored.
Oct 1900:09:20Tap to summarizeThis audio re-telling of ‘The Battle of Moytura’ is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. In this final part. The heroes Ogma, the Dagda along with Lugh set out to put things right ensuring the land will become green and growing once more. Discover more about the The Cath Maige Tuired Notes for this story In this final section. Lugh, The Dagda and Ogma go to an un-named Fomoire feasting hall to recover the Dagda's harp. The Irish harp became a symbol representingIreland from the fouding of the Irish Free State in 1922 and had appeared on flags representing national and cultural identity long before that. It still appears on passports, coins and many official documents. Whether the symbol of the harp refers back to the Dagda's 'Harp of the Four Quarters' is doubtful but the Irish harp and the unique skills and knowledge of the early harpers is certain. If you would like to read the poetry of the Morrigan in translation you can find Isolde's unique translations here. These are very hard to find elsewhere as the early Irish is very obscure. Moytura secion 162 -167 Appologies for the slightly husky voice. I will re-record once my voice has recovered Statue of Turlough O'Carolan in Mohill Leitrim Music: Lamentum from SacrumProfanum , Ben Dwyer
Transcribe →The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 11~ The Great Battle.
Sep 3000:17:04Tap to summarizehis audio re-telling of 'The Battle of Moytura' is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. In part 11: The Great Battle, the Dé Danann, and the Fomoire come to blows and we discover what happens when the giant, Balor's withering eye is finally opened. The Labby rock Discover more about the The Cath Maige Tuired The Labby rock is a portal Domen. In folklore it is said to be the place where Nuada was buried. You can find the site where the Moytura story is set on the high plain to the east of Lough Arrow in County Sligo. Moytura 127 - 161 Music: Lamentum from SacrumProfanum , Ben Dwyer
Transcribe →The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 10~ The Well and the Forge.
Sep 2600:19:06Tap to summarizeHeapstown Cairn This audio re-telling of 'The Battle of Moytura' is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. In part 10: The Well and the Forge, Dian Cécht and Goibnu keep their promises but there are tragic results for Ruadhán, son of Bres when the Fomoire strike back. Discover more about the The Cath Maige Tuired Find out more about The Well of Octriul: Heapstown Cairn Notes for this story You can still see Octriallach’s cairn. It is near Loch Arrow. and today it is known as Heapstown cairn. It is a megalithic passage tomb around 5000 years old and was once much higher than it is today. Keening was a traditional Irish form of vocal lament for the dead practiced by women until the early part of the 20th C. This tale suggests that it was connected with Brig. Cath Maige Tuired: 122 -126 Music: Lamentum from SacrumProfanum , Ben Dwyer
Transcribe →The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 9~ The Muster.
Sep 1700:06:47Tap to summarizeThis audio re-telling of 'The Battle of Moytura' is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. In part 9: The Muster, Lugh gathers together the finest heroes and craftsmen from the Tuatha Dé Danann to find out just what marvels they can offer! Discover more about the The Cath Maige Tuired Notes for this story Part 9 is shorter and just offers the one story. Although nothing much happens it represents an important 'breathing space' before the events of the main battle begin. This is one of the sections of the text that demonstrates the tales oral origins.It is there to remind the audience of the main characters and all their special abilities. Cath Maige Tuired: 95-121 Music: Lamentum from SacrumProfanum , Ben Dwyer
Transcribe →