Mummified Bees!

Summary

Wow in the World: "Mummified Bees!"

Episode Date: January 26, 2026
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
Podcast by Tinkercast

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Episode Overview

In this lively and laughter-filled adventure, Mindy, Guy Raz, Dennis, and Grandma G Force visit a "bee museum" to explore a brand new exhibition of 3,000-year-old mummified bees found off the coast of Portugal. The episode weaves together wacky hijinks and science facts to reveal why these bees became mummified, what researchers learned from their remains, and why bees are such important and resilient creatures.

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Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Road Trip to the Museum & Setting the Scene (01:45–04:40)

• The gang piles into Mindy's ice cream truck early in the morning for a surprise field trip to the "The Hive," a museum shaped like a giant beehive.
• Comedy and chaos: Thomas Fingerling urgently needs the bathroom, Dennis falls into a shallow moat of honey, and Grandma G Force is ready for a swim, all setting the tone for a zany group visit.

2. Introduction to the Mummified Bees Exhibition (04:40–07:54)

• Mindy explains her excitement about the new exhibit after hearing about it on the "Buzzing Bee Podcast."
• Initial confusion about "mummies" vs. "mommies" and a humorous misunderstanding about bees from England called "mums."

Memorable exchange:

• Mindy: "No, no, no, not mommies, Guy Raz, mummies."
• Dennis: "Oh, like moms, but from England?" (04:07)

3. The Science: Discovery of Mummified Bees (07:58–10:53)

• Guy Raz reads the exhibition introduction: In 2019, researchers in Portugal found subterranean sarcophagi of perfectly preserved, 3,000-year-old bees.
• The bees’ preservation is thanks to waterproof, cocoon-like structures made by the queen bee.

Key Science Takeaways:

• These rare, solitary bees emerged only once a year when a particular plant bloomed and spent the rest of the time protected in their cocoons.
• The material felt "smooth like silk...and a little like linen." (10:26)

Dennis comic relief: He tries to eat the replica material, mistaking it for a "very soggy looking potato chip." (10:35)

4. The Mystery: How Did the Bees Die? (11:00–13:41)

• The group watches a documentary in the museum theater, voiced dramatically.
• Scientists initially theorized possible causes: starvation during a food shortage from flood/drought, but this was disproven when abundant pollen was discovered in the cave.
• Final hypothesis: A sudden, dramatic weather shift—probably a rapid temperature drop—led to the bees' demise.

Quote:
Narrator (Documentary): "The researchers now believe that a sudden drop in [temperature] was responsible for the death of the colony." (13:07)

• Despite this ancient disaster, “there are still more than 25 species of bees living in Portugal today… and they're not going anywhere anytime soon. And that's something to buzz about.” (13:18)

5. The Exhibition Highlight: Seeing Mummified Bees Up Close (13:47–15:44)

• The gang visits an exhibit featuring a real 3,000-year-old bee encased in its cocoon, which Dennis thinks "looks like a giant cocoa puff." (14:13)
• Dennis is disappointed not to see a traditional “mummy” with bandages or “a curse.”
• They discover an exhibit using X-ray microcomputed tomography, letting scientists and visitors view the inside of the cocoons without breaking them open.

Quote:
Guy Raz (reading): "By using a machine called an X-ray microcomputed tomography, scientists were able to make three-dimensional scans of the mummies without destroying their protective cocoons." (15:17)

• The technology allows for stunning internal images and helps reveal more about bee evolution and ancient ecosystems.

6. Wrapping Up & Comic Escapades (15:44–16:35)

• Grandma G Force gets in trouble with museum security for her wild antics by the honey moat.
• Thomas Fingerling returns post-bathroom-break, lamenting missing the whole exhibit.
• General chaos wraps up the trip as the group decides to leave quickly.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Dennis: "Does that make them Portubes?" (09:06) (On Portuguese bees)
• Mindy: "It's like she's knitting each bee a little blanket or sleeping bag to sleep in." (09:51) (Describing the queen bee’s cocoons)
• Dennis: "Tastes horrible." (10:36) (After trying to eat the replica cocoon)
• Narrator: "Despite this weather event, there are still more than 25 species of bees living in Portugal today." (13:18)
• Guy Raz: "By using a machine called an X-ray microcomputed tomography, scientists were able to make three-dimensional scans of the mummies without destroying their protective cocoons." (15:17)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:45 – Arrival at the bee museum
• 04:40 – Introduction to the mummified bees exhibition
• 07:58 – Exhibit introduction read by Guy Raz; scientist discovery of mummified bees
• 09:51 – Explanation of bees’ life cycle and cocoons
• 10:26 – Discussion and tactile exploration of the cocoon material
• 11:00 – Museum group watches the documentary movie on the mummified bees
• 13:07 – Discussion of the sudden weather shift theory
• 13:47 – Viewing the actual mummified bees and cocoon in the exhibit
• 15:17 – Description of the X-ray microcomputed tomography used to scan bees’ cocoons

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Episode Tone & Style

• The signature "Wow in the World" mix of silly humor and accessible, enthusiastic science education is present throughout.
• Interplay between Mindy, Guy Raz, and their friends is energetic and brimming with kid-friendly jokes and “bonkerballs” banter.
• Explanations are vivid and memorable, drawing clear connections between the science and everyday experiences (like favorite foods and blankets).
• The show continues inspiring curiosity, empathy for insects, and respect for scientific discovery—all with feeling and fun.

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Closing Thoughts

This episode seamlessly blends scientific exploration with comedic characters and lighthearted misadventures, making ancient bee mummies fascinating for kids and families. Listeners will come away buzzing with new knowledge about bee history, mummification, and innovative scientific methods—plus several giggles thanks to the group’s antics.

WOW in the World Rating: Fun, fascinating, and totally bonkerballs!

Transcript

[A]

Hey, grownups. Mindy here from wow in the World. And over the years, you've listened to all of the Bonkerballs things that we have said and shared. And guess what? Now it's our turn to listen to you. What do you like about Tinker Cast shows? What do you not like? What's your favorite type of pasta? Mine's elbow macaroni. But I also like me macaroni. You're right, Reg. We probably won't ask you about pasta. But the questions we do have will really help us to understand who our Wowzer fams are and how we can keep making the bonker balls content that you love. Grown ups. Visit Tinkercast.com survey to find out more. It won't take much of your time, and you'll automatically be entered for a chance to win a prize pack of wow in the World toys and books. That's Tinkercast.com survey. We can't wait to hear from you. That's it. And now let's get back to the show. Proceeded. Three, two, one, mission.

[B]

The bubbles are an adventure of magnificent proportion.

[C]

I don't know what you've been told, but we're in a golden age.

[A]

So many discoveries that are jumping off the page.

[C]

While in the world While in the world Wild. In the world Better way Houston. One buzzing bee in the hive One.

[A]

Buzzing bee he buzzes around, goes out on the town no more buzzing bees in the hive.

[C]

Yay. Okay, let's start over. 99 buzzing bees in the hive. 99 buzzing bees.

[D]

How about we give it a break for a little Dennis? We're almost at the museum.

[E]

Oh, good. I need to use the washroom.

[C]

The what?

[E]

The water closet.

[C]

I don't know what that is.

[E]

I got a poop.

[A]

Gross. Thomas Fingerling. That's disgusting.

[E]

No, it ain't. What's disgusting is waking everyone up at 7am forcing them into your little ice cream truck here, and then taking them on a surprise field trip before they've had their morning constitutional.

[A]

But it's gonna be so much fun. The bee museum, everyone. Don't you all want to see the hive?

[D]

The hive?

[A]

Oh, that's what they're calling the museum building because it's shaped like a giant hive.

[C]

Oh, I wanna see it.

[A]

See, everyone? Dennis is excited. Don't you all wanna be like Dennis?

[D]

No.

[C]

What?

[A]

Well, it doesn't matter because look, we're here.

[C]

Wow.

[D]

Wow. It really does look like a giant beehive. Mindy.

[A]

Told ya.

[D]

Is that a giant mote of honey running around the outside of the building? Yep.

[A]

Now, everyone out of the truck. I wanna make sure that we're the first locking up the ice cream truck.

[E]

Okay, now, which way to the poo poo party?

[D]

Firstly, please don't call it that. And number two.

[E]

Oh, yeah, number two.

[A]

That's what I'm saying, number two.

[D]

The toilets are right there next to the entrance.

[E]

Okay, good. You all have fun. I got some business to attend to.

[A]

I told him he shouldn't have drunk that gallon of banana milk for breakfast.

[D]

So, Mindy, why was it so important for us to get here so early anyway?

[A]

Well, Guy Raz, they have this brand new exhibition that I've been jonesing to see every time I heard about it on the Buzzing Bee.

[D]

The Buzzing Bee Podcast?

[A]

Yeah, it's a daily podcast I listen to that keeps me up to date with all the hips and happenings of the bee community.

[D]

So what's this exhibition all about, Mindy?

[A]

It's all about mummies.

[D]

You mean like the queen bee, like she's the mom to the whole hive?

[A]

No, no, no, not mommies, Guy Raz, mummies.

[C]

Oh, like moms, but from England?

[D]

No, Dennis, I think Mindy's talking about, you know, the wrapped up, stored in a sarcophagus, Egyptian royalty, those kinds of mummies.

[C]

Oh.

[A]

Ew. Yeah, only I'm talking about mummified bees.

[D]

Wow. What does that even mean?

[A]

Okay, so this group of scientists recently found a whole colony of 3000 year old mummified bees off the coast of Portugal. And they're on display right in there.

[D]

In the museum?

[A]

Yep. Now, come on. The entrance is just over this moat bridge.

[D]

All right.

[C]

Huzzah. Ooh, look at all that putty. It's all gooey and sh. I can see my face in it. Hi, honey. Dennis.

[A]

Hi, Dennis.

[D]

Dennis, don't get too close to the edge. You might fall in.

[C]

I can't. Swimming, honey.

[A]

Dennis, that honey is only two feet deep. Just stand up.

[C]

Ow. Let me just crawl out of here.

[D]

Dennis, you're all sticky now.

[C]

Don't worry, Guy Raz. I'll lick it off as we go out.

[A]

Oh, hey. Wow.

[F]

Didn't expect to see anyone out here this early.

[A]

Is he all right?

[B]

Who?

[A]

Dennis? Ah, yeah, he'll be fine.

[D]

Okay, we're here to see the mummified bee exhibit.

[F]

Oh, yeah, that one's been super popular. Come on in.

[A]

All right, whatever.

[F]

Okay, so four people and one pigeon for the mummified bee exhibit, is that correct?

[A]

Yep, that's it. I ain't going to no exorbition.

[C]

What?

[A]

I'M just here to go tubing in the honeymoon. Now, where'd you keep your inflatable tubes, young lady?

[D]

Uh, what?

[A]

Oh, I think she wants to go out to that honey river you've got outside and ride down it in a rafting tube.

[F]

Oh, well, we don't have those.

[A]

Well, no bother. I brought my own.

[C]

Ta da. Cool.

[D]

But Grandma GeForce, you're not even wearing your bathing unitard.

[A]

Wrong again, Garage.

[D]

What in the.

[A]

You've been wearing that swimming unitard underneath your wrestling unitard this whole time. Now, if you'll excuse me.

[F]

So three people and one pigeon?

[A]

Yes, please.

[C]

Yay, museum.

[A]

All right, thank you.

[F]

The exhibition starts in that room just down the hall.

[C]

Thanks, Miss Ticket, ma'. Am.

[A]

All right. So where does this exhibition start?

[C]

Oh, down there, Mindy. I see it.

[D]

Mum bees 3000 years of bee History Preserved in Time. Ooh, an exhibition introduction.

[C]

I love these things, but they're so boring.

[A]

Don't worry, Dennis. I have a plan to unboring it. Hold on, I've got it right in my adventure toolkit here. Oh, here it is.

[D]

A boring boombox.

[A]

Uh huh. Now Guy Raz, put on your best reading voice. Let me just push a button here and go.

[C]

Me?

[A]

Yeah, read it.

[D]

Oh, okay. In 2019, a team of researchers from the Naturayjo UNESCO Global Geopark were searching along the Portuguese coastline for signs of how the ecosystem in that area had changed over time. What they found was astonishing.

[C]

Omg. What was it? What was it, Dennis? Shh.

[D]

What the researchers had found was a subterranean sarcophagi of mummified bees, some of them over 3,000 years old.

[A]

Wow.

[D]

Their story is on display for you today in the mum bees exhibition. 3000 years of bee History Preserved in time.

[A]

Great job, Guy Raz. Dolphinitely not boring. Now let's find out more about these mummies.

[D]

After you, Mindy.

[A]

Thank you.

[C]

So, Mindy, these bees were found in Portugal.

[A]

Uh huh.

[C]

Does that make them Portubes?

[A]

Uh huh, I guess it would.

[D]

Hey, Mindy, come here. Check this out.

[A]

What is it, Guy Raz? Look.

[D]

It's the material that the bees were covered in that allowed them to be preserved in this mummified state for so long.

[A]

Ah, punker balls.

[D]

And look, it says here that these bees only came out about once a year for a few weeks when their favorite plant was blooming.

[A]

Ah, Sort of like how Grandma G Force only comes out to eat if there's chili on the menu.

[D]

Uh, yeah. So for the rest of the year, these bees basically hide inside of these cocoons that the queen bee makes for them.

[A]

Aw, that's adorable. It's like she's knitting each bee a little blanket or sleeping bag to sleep in.

[D]

Yeah, except this blanket is waterproof and really well stitched together. And so it was able to preserve the bee inside of the colony around the time it came to its untimely end around 3,000 years ago.

[A]

Huh. And this is the actual material here?

[D]

Well, it's actually a replica of that material. The museum made it so we can see what it feels like. Here, check it out.

[A]

Let me see that.

[D]

Ooh.

[A]

Feels kind of smooth like silk and a little like.

[D]

Like linen, right?

[C]

Oh, let me see how. Ugh.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Tastes horrible. Dennis. What?

[A]

You're not supposed to eat the material.

[C]

Well, nobody told me that. I just thought it was a very soggy looking potato chip. You know, that's my favorite kind.

[A]

Dennis, just spit it out and put it back.

[D]

Ugh, don't put it back.

[A]

Okay, then just stick it behind your ear until we can find a trash can.

[C]

Oh, good idea.

[A]

Okay, let's move on to the next room. A movie theater. Are we gonna watch a movie?

[D]

Looks like it.

[A]

Mindy, how do we get it to start?

[C]

Oh, maybe it's this big red button that says play movie.

[D]

That might be it.

[A]

Yay.

[C]

I found it. So I get to press it.

[A]

Go for it, Dennis.

[C]

Roger.

[A]

Dennis.

[C]

Shh.

[A]

The movie's starting.

[G]

An innocent colony of bees, the Portuguese coastline, and one of the coldest cases of all time. This is. How did the bees die?

[A]

Ooh, so dramatic.

[G]

In 2019, a group of researchers on the Portuguese coastline discovered one of the greatest mummified insect remains of all time. They found hundreds of bees.

[C]

Wow.

[D]

Look at them, Mindy. They're perfectly preserved.

[G]

Perfectly preserved?

[A]

Yeah. It's like they're frozen in time.

[G]

Practically frozen in time.

[C]

Hey, quit copying us. Narrator Dennis. Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry.

[G]

But the researchers wondered, what happened to these unfortunate insects? How did they meet their untimely demise?

[A]

I wonder if they developed any theories.

[G]

The researchers developed several theories.

[A]

Hooray.

[C]

Theories.

[G]

For instance, there was evidence of a flood or a drought. Because of this, perhaps the bees food supply got cut off, causing them to die of hunger. But that theory was proven false.

[C]

What? How?

[G]

Upon further inspection of the cave where the bees were found, researchers discovered vast deposits of pollen, meaning that they had.

[D]

Plenty of food to survive.

[G]

So with starvation ruled out, they turned to a second theory. A sudden weather shift.

[A]

A sudden weather shift. What happened?

[G]

The researchers now believe that a sudden drop in was responsible for the death of the Colony.

[A]

Yikes.

[G]

But there is hope.

[C]

Oh, I'm so relieved.

[G]

Despite this weather event, there are still more than 25 species of bees living in Portugal today. Overall, bees and their ancestors have been around for more than 120 million years. And they're not going anywhere anytime soon. And that's something to buzz about.

[C]

Hooray. That was great.

[A]

Okay, everyone, are you all ready for the main event?

[D]

What's that?

[A]

The actual remains of the mummified bees themselves. I think they're in the next room.

[C]

I'm ready, Mindy.

[A]

Well then, come on, let's go. Wow. Look, there it is. Guy Raz, behind that glass case.

[D]

A 3,000 year old bee.

[A]

Yeah, that is one old bee.

[C]

What? That's just looks like a giant cocoa puff.

[D]

That's the cocoon, Dennis. The bee is inside.

[C]

But it's boring. I thought we were gonna see a real life mummy with little wrappings. And maybe even a curse or two. Not just the cocoon. I'm gonna go wait outside.

[A]

I mean, he kind of has a point.

[D]

I suppose. It is a little underwhelming.

[A]

If only we could find a way to look inside this cocoon without breaking it open.

[D]

Yeah, that would be pretty amazing.

[A]

Wow.

[C]

Mindy. Guy Reggie, come quick. In this room, they found a way to look inside the cocoon without breaking it open. What?

[A]

Come on, Guy Raz, let's go see what he found.

[D]

All right. Whoa. Look at all these photos, Mindy.

[A]

Yeah, looks like this museum just turned into an art gallery.

[D]

What are these images?

[C]

It's the bees.

[A]

The bees?

[C]

Yeah, look, read the description.

[D]

Let me see here. Okay. By using a machine called an X ray microcomputed tomography, scientists were able to make three dimensional scans of the mummies without destroying their protective cocoons.

[C]

Wow. X Ray Microcomputed technologies.

[D]

Wow. These images are kind of incredible, Mindy.

[A]

Yeah, I'll say.

[F]

Attention. Could the owner of the angry old lady in the bathing suit please come and collect her from security?

[A]

Keep your hands to yourself, please, ma'.

[C]

Am.

[A]

That seems like our cue to leave.

[E]

Sorry that took so long. What did I miss?

[C]

The whole thing.

[E]

Rats.

[A]

But don't worry, Thomas Fingerling. We were about to leave anyway. Grandma G Force just got caught by security again.

[E]

Yeah, leaving might be a good idea. None of you are gonna want to use the restrooms.

[A]

What? Mr. Fingerling, what did you do?

[E]

Oh, nothing that a plunger and a pipe dredger and maybe some industrial grade odor eliminator can't fix.

[D]

Oh, boy.

[F]

Clean up crew to the men's toilet block cleanup Crew to the men's toilet block please.

[G]

Uh oh, busted.

[A]

Wow in the world. We'll be right back grown ups. This message is for you.

[C]

You're listening.

[H]

Bongo in the Big two in the morning on kwow. Hey Bongo, guess what time it is. Looks to be about 7:40am no, it's time for Big Toot's big favorite, Big fav. Oh yeah, the part of the show when you, Big Toot, hit us with your favorite new song. What you got for us today? Alright, today's big favorite is a song from a new artist called wow in the World. Well, what's the song? It's called the scientifically most danceable song in the whole wide world. Wow, that's a big title. Yeah. Let me spin you up a clip.

[C]

A White World, the scientifically most danceable danceable song. Whoa.

[H]

Two that was is totally rockin'. Where can we listen to the rest of the song? Anywhere you get your tunes, Bongo. They're out on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you like to spin your tracks. Well, thanks for tuning in to Big Two's big favorite here on Bongo in the big two in the morning on kwow. Bye bye now.

[C]

Later.

[A]

That's it, back to the show.

[C]

Wow in the World.

[A]

Hi, thanks for calling wow in the World. After the beep, get ready to record.

[B]

Hi, I'm Ann from Andover, Ohio. My wow in the world is that seals can close their noses to go underwater and not get water in their noses. Isn't that bonker balls? Say hi to Grandma G Force and Stennis for me.

[A]

Oh sn.

[C]

Huzzah.

[B]

And give Reggie a pigeon treat too. Thanks. Love your show. Hi Mindy and Guy Raz. I'm Ellis, I'm 8 years old and I live in Shawnee, Kansas. My wow in the world is that arctic fox change colors due to the weather. Say hi to Reggie for me and grandma G Force. Moo.

[A]

Yay.

[B]

Bye. Hi, Marine Guy Raz. My name is oni. I'm 11 years old and I live in South Virginia. My wow in the world is that Venus is actually the hottest planet, not Mercury. This is because there are carbon dioxide clouds that are outside of the Venus surface and they're so thick that once he comes in it isn't going to come out. Bye Mindy and Guy Raz. I love your show. I'm Mindy and Guy Raz. My name is Aubrey, I'm 11 years old and I live in California. And my wow in the world is that your brain is actually gray. Isn't that Bonkerball. Bye. Love your show. Say hi to Reggie, Grandma G Force.

[A]

Oh yeah.

[B]

Thomas Fingerling.

[E]

Sup.

[B]

And of course the one and only Dennis. Bye. Hi Mindy and Guy Raz. My name is Lucia and I live in Nashville, Tennessee. My WOW in the world is that the letter Q doesn't appear anywhere in any state name. Bye. Say hi to Dennis for me.

[C]

Hi.

[B]

Hi, I'm Zachary. I live in Rockville, Maryland. My wow is that frogs can breathe and drink through their skin. Isn't that Bonker balls? Say hi to Grandma G Force. Reggie and Thomas Fingoling.

[E]

Cool dude.

[B]

Hi Guy Raz and Mindy. I'm Lucien and I'm from Cary, North Carolina. My wow in the world is there are sea caves, ice caves and land caves where bats may live. Some bats sleep in cracks and others sleep upside down. Say hi to Reggie and Grandma G Force for me.

[A]

Bye. End of messages.

[D]

Wow in the World is written by Mindy Thomas and Tom Van Kalken with help from me, Guy Raz.

[A]

Original sound design and music editing is done by Tyler Thole with help from our supervising producer, Jed Anderson. You can also hear Jed Anderson in the voices of Dennis, Thomas Fingerling, Reggie and many of the other silly characters that you hear on our show. And Lizzie Freilich can also be heard as some of the silly characters on our show.

[D]

Jessica Bode keeps our facts straight as our fact checker and Meredith Halpern Ranzer powers the wow at Tinkercast.

[A]

Our theme song was composed and performed by three time Grammy nominees the Pop Ups. Find them at thepopups.com Special thanks to.

[D]

Kit Ballinger, Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Kenny Curtis, Kristin Yang, Thuy Mac, Erica Medina, Henry Moskal, Jodi Nussbaum, Ali Paksima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, Joanna Weber, Anna Zagorski and all of the other tinkerers at Tinkercast HQ.

[A]

And to keep the wow rolling after you finish this episode, visit [e-mail] There you can become a member of the World Organization of wowzers to get year round mailings and weekly activities. Shop our wow Shop, get tickets for upcoming events, find our best selling books and learn about some of the other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast Grown ups.

[D]

You can follow wow in the world on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @wowintheworld and our email address is helloinkercast.com and if.

[A]

You'Re a kid with a big wow to share with us, call us at 1-888-7wow-WOW for a chance to be featured at the end of our show or an upcoming episode of 2 what's in a wow.

[D]

Thanks again for listening. We're here every Monday, or you can check out two what's and a wow every Friday right here in the wow in the World podcast feed.

[A]

And don't forget, we wow on the weekend with Dennis Saturday and Sunday.

[B]

Keep on wowing.

[A]

Wow in the World was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.