Stuff You Missed in History Class - Unearthed! Year-end 2024, Part 1

Hosted by Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Fry, produced by iHeartRadio.

Introduction

In the latest installment of Unearthed! Year-end 2024, Part 1, hosts Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Fry delve into a myriad of fascinating historical updates and discoveries unearthed over the past year. This episode provides comprehensive updates on previously discussed topics as well as new intriguing findings across various historical eras and disciplines.

Amelia Earhart’s Plane Update

The episode opens with an update on the enduring mystery of Amelia Earhart’s disappearance. Back in January, the private exploration company Deep Sea Vision announced that their sonar imaging had detected a plane-shaped object on the ocean floor between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea, resembling the Lockheed Electra that Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan piloted. However, Tracy Wilson dismisses the excitement:

Tracy V. Wilson [03:42]: "It was just rocks. Yeah, that's that whole update. It was just rocks."

Despite initial excitement, the evidence remains inconclusive, leaving the mystery unresolved.

Ruby Slippers Auction

Next, the hosts revisit the story of the famed ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz. Previously, it was anticipated that the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, might secure the slippers at auction. However, the latest development reveals:

Tracy V. Wilson [04:18]: "The auction's winner has remained anonymous... it was not the museum. That $28 million winning bid was way beyond the amount that had been raised to help the museum buy the shoes... The museum announced that it was not the winner."

The slippers have set a record as the most expensive piece of memorabilia ever sold at auction, fetching an astonishing $28 million.

Terracotta Army Discovery

The episode then shifts focus to archaeological advancements concerning the Terracotta Army. Building on a 2009 episode, Tracy and Holly discuss the December announcement of a newly discovered terracotta warrior:

Tracy V. Wilson [05:41]: "They may have been intended to represent the highest ranking member of his unit."

This discovery adds depth to our understanding of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s burial practices, revealing that out of the thousands of clay statues, only ten high-ranking officers have been identified so far.

Tsavo Lions Research

Recalling the infamous Tsavo Lions, Tracy updates listeners on recent research shedding light on their unusual behavior in the late 19th century:

Tracy V. Wilson [07:21]: "DNA research... confirmed that the Ghost and the Darkness were siblings."

The lions responsible for the deaths of over 30 workers exhibited atypical hunting behaviors, possibly influenced by dental diseases and changes in prey availability due to rinderpest.

Bayeux Tapestry Update

The Bayeux Tapestry, a medieval embroidery depicting the Norman Conquest, has received a creative enhancement:

Tracy V. Wilson [07:21]: "French artist Alain d'Opat has been tapped to create a depiction of the coronation of William the Conqueror... part two will be released soon."

Alain d'Opat’s contribution aims to artistically fill in the missing eight feet of the tapestry, providing a fresh perspective on this historic artifact.

Pompeii Updates

Holly and Tracy offer significant updates on recent Pompeii discoveries:

1. House of Phaedra:

   • Holly Fry [08:23]: "Archaeologists have found a very small house with walls covered in well-preserved frescoes depicting mythological scenes."
   • The luxurious yet compact House of Phaedra showcases the evolving architectural trends in Pompeii, moving from atrium-based designs to more intimate living spaces.

2. DNA Research on Casts:

   • Holly Fry [10:05]: "Interpreting recent DNA research on skeletal material from within some of the casts has really upended some of those interpretations."
   • The research challenges previous assumptions about familial relationships among the victims, highlighting the complexities of reconstructing personal histories from archaeological remains.

3. Vesuvius Eruption Date Debate:

   • Tracy V. Wilson [11:53]: "The commonly held date of the eruption is August 24th... a new paper cautiously supports the idea that Pliny the Younger was correct."
   • Ongoing debates about the exact date of the Vesuvius eruption continue, with recent studies providing nuanced support for historical accounts.

Mary Rose Clavicle Research

A captivating study on the Mary Rose, a Tudor warship, examines the relationship between handedness and clavicle chemistry:

Tracy V. Wilson [27:18]: "Left handedness was extremely stigmatized during the Tudor era... it's likely that any left-handed people on the crew would have intentionally used their right hands instead."

Using Raman spectroscopy, researchers discovered age-related chemical variations in the clavicles, particularly in the right collarbones, suggesting habitual use affected bone chemistry.

Stonehenge Research

The ancient Stonehenge site continues to reveal its secrets:

Holly Fry [21:11]: "Stonehenge was built in an effort to unify farmers on the island of Great Britain."

Tracy V. Wilson [22:04]: "It's not clear whether this interpretation is correct, but it is interesting."

Recent research published in Archaeology International posits that the transportation and assembly of non-local stones were possibly a socio-political effort to foster unity among disparate farming communities in prehistoric Britain.

Indigenous Boarding Schools Updates

Tracy and Holly address the ongoing revelations about the tragic history of Indigenous boarding schools in the United States:

Tracy V. Wilson [24:21]: "President Joe Biden also formally apologized on behalf of the US Government earlier this year... announced a new national monument being established at the site of Carlisle Indian Industrial School."

An investigation by the Washington Post revealed that over 3,000 Indigenous children died in these institutions, a number significantly higher than previously acknowledged. An oral history project aims to document survivors' experiences, promoting healing and preserving these critical narratives.

Shipwreck Discoveries

Several maritime discoveries feature prominently in this episode:

1. John Evansson:

   • Tracy V. Wilson [24:57]: "The Wisconsin Historical Society announced the find at the end of September."
   • The wreck of the wooden tugboat John Evansson, sunk in 1895, was located using side scan sonar and remotely operated vehicles, providing closure to a long-standing maritime mystery.

2. HMS Trooper:

   • Tracy V. Wilson [25:55]: "The wreck... suggests that it ran into a German mine."
   • The British submarine HMS Trooper, lost in 1943, was finally discovered after correcting previous misidentifications, confirming its fate as a war grave.

3. Mary Rose Deterioration:

   • Tracy V. Wilson [32:40]: "Researchers have developed a new technique involving hydrogel to preserve deteriorating shipwreck wood."
   • Innovations in preservation techniques offer hope for safeguarding historical shipwrecks from ongoing degradation.

Art Discoveries and Research

The episode concludes with enthralling updates from the art world:

1. Picasso Painting Found:

   • Tracy V. Wilson [37:39]: "The painting has Picasso's signature... believed to be a portrait of surrealist artist Dora Maher."
   • A recently discovered painting in Capri, Italy, is being authenticated as an original Picasso, potentially adding a significant piece to his oeuvre.

2. Suzanne Valadon Letters:

   • Tracy V. Wilson [35:32]: "Letters from Ada Lovelace to Sir John Herschel... reveal her deep understanding of complex subjects."
   • The discovery of Ada Lovelace’s letters underscores her intellectual prowess beyond her role as a muse, highlighting her contributions to mathematics and astronomy.

3. Jean Baptiste Valou’s Portrait:

   • Tracy V. Wilson [41:30]: "The portrait of James Cumberlidge offers detailed insights into the lives of black Britons in the 18th century."
   • This research enriches our understanding of racial dynamics and personal histories within British society during the 1700s.

4. William Blake’s Early Engravings:

   • Tracy V. Wilson [42:53]: "Discovered engravings could be some of the earliest works by William Blake, though not conclusively identified."
   • High-resolution imaging has unveiled potential early works by the renowned artist, offering glimpses into his formative years.

5. Paul Gauguin’s “The Little Cat”:

   • Tracy V. Wilson [43:40]: "X-ray analysis revealed canvas distortions and a beetle residue."
   • Technical investigations of Gauguin’s work provide deeper insights into his artistic process and the preservation challenges of his paintings.

6. Rock Art Acoustic Environment:

   • Tracy V. Wilson [47:00]: "Rock paintings in Finland suggest intentional use of the surrounding acoustic environment."
   • This innovative research explores how ancient artists might have integrated natural acoustics into their artistic expressions, enhancing the sensory experience of their work.

Listener Mail Highlight

Towards the end, Tracy addresses listener feedback regarding the portrayal of artist Suzanne Valadon. She clarifies Valadon's multi-faceted career, emphasizing her accomplishments beyond modeling and her significant contributions to the art world.

Tracy V. Wilson [50:22]: "I did not mentally frame her in any way as a so-called muse... She was a whole person who had a whole life."

This segment underscores the importance of recognizing and accurately representing the contributions of historical figures, particularly women artists often overshadowed by their male counterparts.

Conclusion

Unearthed! Year-end 2024, Part 1 offers a rich tapestry of historical updates, bridging past and present discoveries. From archaeological breakthroughs and maritime finds to significant art world revelations, Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Fry provide listeners with an engaging and informative journey through the annals of history. The episode not only updates previously explored topics but also introduces new narratives that continue to enrich our understanding of the past.

Notable Quotes:

• Tracy V. Wilson [03:42]: "It was just rocks. Yeah, that's that whole update. It was just rocks."

• Tracy V. Wilson [04:18]: "When we talked about this last time, it was hoped that the Judy Garland Museum of Grand Rapids, Minnesota would be able to buy the slippers... But it was not the museum."

• Holly Fry [21:11]: "Stonehenge was built in an effort to unify farmers on the island of Great Britain."

• Tracy V. Wilson [10:45]: "Instead of establishing new narratives that might also misrepresent these people's experiences, the genetic results encourage reflection on the dangers of making up stories about gender and family relationships in past societies based on present-day expectations."

• Tracy V. Wilson [24:21]: "President Joe Biden also formally apologized on behalf of the US Government earlier this year... established at the site of Carlisle Indian Industrial School."

These quotes encapsulate key moments of the episode, highlighting both confirmations and reconsiderations of historical interpretations.

Stay Tuned: Don't miss the upcoming Part 2 of Unearthed! Year-end 2024, set to release on Wednesday, where Tracy and Holly will continue to explore newly unearthed history treasures and updates from the past year.

Listen to Stuff You Missed in History Class on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.