Stuff You Missed in History Class Episode: Unearthed Year-end 2025, Part 2
Hosts: Tracy V. Wilson & Holly Fry
Original Air Date: January 14, 2026

Overview

This packed episode delivers the hosts' favorite archaeological and historical finds reported during the last quarter of 2025. The focus is on discoveries that have been "unearthed" across the globe, ranging from climate-shocked Alaska to ancient Mediterranean shipwrecks. As usual, Tracy and Holly's lively banter and clear explanations make this complex material accessible. The episode is divided into sections, covering “potpourri” finds, tool discoveries, Neanderthal research, edibles & potables, art, shipwrecks, medical archaeology, and cultural repatriations.

Potpourri: Interesting Miscellaneous Finds (00:45–11:23)

Alaska: Typhoon Damage & Archaeology (01:21)

• Catastrophic damage from Typhoon Halong in Western Alaska, especially for Alaska Native communities already dealing with climate change.
• Major archaeological site in Quinhawk exposed thousands of previously buried Yup'ik artifacts, possibly up to 100,000, due to shore erosion.
  • "This is something that has been described in local reporting with words like bittersweet..." – Tracy (03:12)

Olaudah Equiano’s Daughter’s Grave Located (03:12)

• Anna Maria Vassa’s grave identified at St Andrew's Church, Cambridge, through a paper written by a student in 1977, confirmed by modern researchers.

1,500-year-old Reindeer Trap in Norway (04:37)

• Ancient wooden reindeer trap found at high altitude, complete with spearheads, arrows, and remains from about a hundred reindeer.

Huge 12th-Century Silver Hoard in Sweden (05:39)

• Man digging for worms discovers over 20,000 coins, beads, and rings in Stockholm; one of Sweden’s largest hoards from the period.

1,700-year-old Aboriginal Stringcraft in Australia (06:11)

• Rare plant and animal fiber artifacts (bags, nets, belts) showing continuity of craft over centuries, found at Windmill Way, Cape York Peninsula.
  • "The core techniques to make them stayed really consistent from the oldest pieces to the newest ones." – Tracy (07:16)

Hanging Coffin DNA Links in China (08:04)

• Modern Bo people shown through DNA to be descended from ancient “hanging coffin” coffin culture, confirming longstanding oral histories.

Oldest Musical Instruments: Neolithic Shells in Catalonia (09:53)

• 12 sea snail shells, possibly used as musical instruments and communication devices, date back to 5,000–4,000 BCE.
• Actual shells tested for sound by researchers: "this sounds kind of like a trumpet or a bugle." – Tracy (10:19)

Ancient Tools & Technology (11:23–14:59)

Butchering Elephants in Italy, 400,000+ Years Ago (11:23)

• Early humans used small stone tools to butcher an elephant, then repurposed bones into larger tools.

Celtic Trepanation Tool in Poland (12:48)

• 2,300-year-old iron tool for skull surgery found; ritual/medical trepanation suggested, though no matching skulls found.

Australian Aboriginal Stone Tool Cache (13:39)

• 60 stone tool heads buried by the Pirapita people, likely intended for trade; disrupted by European arrival.

Stable Tool Tech in Gabon’s Paon Cave (14:59)

• Stone tool tech remained unchanged for 5,000 years; animal remains show mostly bats and other animals dying naturally in the cave.

Neanderthal Revelations (15:46–20:52)

Evidence of Long-Distance Neanderthal Migration (15:46)

• DNA from a Crimean bone matches Siberian Neanderthals over 3,000 km away.

Genetic Hypothesis for Neanderthals’ Disappearance (17:05)

• Preprint suggests interbreeding caused fatal oxygen affinity gene incompatibility.
  • "If a Neanderthal had both Neanderthal and Homo sapien ancestry and... became pregnant... her body might not be able to provide enough oxygen for that fetus to grow..." – Holly (17:50)

Ochre "Crayons" and Neanderthal Symbolism (18:38)

• Ochre tools from Crimea & Ukraine used for symbolic marking 70,000 years ago—intentionally shaped for drawing.

Early Controlled Use of Fire in England (19:44)

• Baked tools, imported iron pyrite, and repeated burning at Suffolk site place Neanderthal fire use at 400,000 years ago.

Edibles & Potables (20:52–22:18)

• 7th–8th Century Stamped Eucharistic Bread in Turkey: Impeccably preserved religious imagery, confirmed use in Greek Orthodox ritual.
  • "It was surprising to me how clearly you could see these designs on the surface of the bread." – Tracy (21:22)
• Roman-Era Olive Oil Complex in Tunisia: The second-largest known, highlighting olive oil’s economic importance.
• Amphora of Sardine Bones and Fish Sauce in Switzerland: First direct evidence of sardines in Roman Switzerland.

Art Discoveries (22:18–25:01)

• 19th-Century Portrait of Thomas James: Identified as a black Montserrat-born soldier (and musician) who served and was decorated in the Napoleonic Wars.
• 6,000 Years of Consistent Cave Art in Texas & Northern Mexico: One of North America’s longest continuous artistic traditions.
• Halafian Art’s Mathematical Patterns: Pottery from northern Mesopotamia shows geometric patterns and naturalistic/abstract botanical motifs, hinting at links to mathematical thinking.

Shipwrecks & Maritime Discoveries (25:01–31:46)

• Iron Age Cargoes at Tel Dor, Israel: Storage jars and an anchor reveal Mediterranean trade networks.
• 13th-Century Saga Wood Ship in Malacca, Malaysia: To be conserved and exhibited locally.
• Joseon Dynasty Cargo Ship ("MATO4"), South Korea: Only known survivor; largely intact hull to become museum exhibit (over 15 years).
• 1st-Century CE “Pleasure Barge” off Alexandria: First of its type found; may have been used for temple ceremonies.
• Iron Scow at Niagara Falls Shifts Again: 107-year-old wreck has moved over time, likely to break up slowly.
• 4th-Century BCE Boat at Åls, Denmark: Unique prehistoric plank boat; researchers find a fingerprint in its tar sealant.
• Hundreds of Victorian Boots Unearthed in Wales: May be from a shipwreck; over 200 found in one week—speculated as lost cargo.

Medical Archaeology (31:46–35:46)

• Infantile Cortical Hyperostosis (Caffey Disease) in Medieval Turkey: Rare, likely resolved before child's death at age 3; one of few archaeological cases.
• Napoleonic Soldiers’ Teeth Reveal Disease: Paratyphoid and relapsing fever DNA links to historical accounts of illnesses during the 1812 Russian retreat.
• First Evidence of Plague in 14th-Century Edinburgh: Detected in teenage skeleton at St Giles Cathedral, individual burial, not mass grave.
• 1345 Volcanic Eruption Linked to Plague Onset: Eruption possibly set conditions for bubonic plague’s spread via climatic cooling and grain imports.

Cultural Heritage & Repatriation (35:46–38:18)

• Numerous Repatriations: Cultural and ceremonial Indigenous objects returned to US and Canadian tribes; remains from Carlisle Indian Industrial School returned home.
• Ownership of Dave the Potter’s Jars Restored to Descendants (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston):
  • Museum’s two Dave the Potter jars' ownership acknowledged and returned to Drake's descendants; one repurchased by the museum, the other on long-term loan.
  • "I don't recall talking about the ownership of something being restored to the descendants of an enslaved person on the show before." – Tracy (37:44)

Listener Mail Highlight (38:18–40:33)

• Ruth writes about reading History of the Violin, ties to previous podcast discussions, and shares adorable cat photos.
• Tracy delights in the coincidental reading of an obscure instrument history text and shares her own affection for black cats.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "If you have cats in your life, I hope they let you snuggle them." – Tracy (40:30)
• "They don't have to be smart, they just have to be cats." – Holly (40:33)
• "I was delighted to hear the mention and that I recognized it. See cover of book and attached photo. I enjoyed the episode for many reasons, not the least of which being that my mother’s name is Carol..." – Listener Ruth (38:22)

Structure & Atmosphere

The hosts maintain an upbeat, occasionally self-deprecating tone, peppered with humor and mutual appreciation. Their delight in the details—such as the accidental unveiling of artifacts after a devastating storm, or the scientific confirmation of oral traditions—makes the content engaging and accessible.

Overall, this episode’s blend of archaeological curiosity, respect for indigenous and ancestral connections, and lively commentary offers a treasure trove of historical insight for both casual listeners and history buffs.