Episode 37: Rebecca Ashdot (Archaeologist & Artist)

Art Bazaar

Archaeologist & Artist Rebecca Ashdot stops by the Art Bazaar for a chat about her time in Belize excavating the Mayan city of Chan Chich. She explains what LiDar is and how it's being used to discover previously lost cities in the remote jungle.

Much of the conversation is spent on Mesoamerican cultures including the Aztec, Maya, Zapotec, Teotihuacan & more!

Lots of great tips for those curious about starting on their own path to archaeology.
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:15 - How Rebecca first got interested in archaeology
00:07:31 - Much of art & culture of the past is known thanks to archaeology
0:08:23 - An understanding of archaeology leads to an appreciation of the arts
00:11:30 - Are cultural studies like the Maya part of school curriculum?
00:13:02- Public education leaves out a lot of important historical events
00:17:36 - Rebecca's passion for Native American cultures
00:20:50 - The Lenape Chapter of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology
00:23:51 - Archaeological sites in the Delaware Water Gap
00:26:30 - Looters impact on archaeological sites
00:29:52 - What is LiDar?
00:33:44 - Using LiDar to find lost cities in the jungle
00:37:22 - Cultural excursion to Teotihuacan & Mexico City's museums
00:40:44 - New discoveries at Teotihuacan
00:43:46 - Taking a trip through Mexico City with an Aztec
00:45:14 - Mexico & Central America's connection with their Indigenous cultures'
00:48:29 - The Conquistadors built over the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan
00:51:51 - Xochimilco
00:52:44 - Anthropology, Linguistics & Bioarchaeology
00:55:16 - Chan Chich, Mayan city in Belize
01:05:53 - The ancient cultures of Mexico: Olmec, Zapotecs & more
01:08:47 - Advice for people interested in getting into archaeology
01:13:41 - Resin by Rebecca (Rebecca's Art)
01:19:47 - Outro
LINKS
Resin by Rebecca - https://www.instagram.com/resin_by_rebecca/
NEPA Archaeology - https://www.facebook.com/groups/447353964457087/
Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology - https://www.pennsylvaniaarchaeology.com/
Sherman Theatre Punk Rock Flea Market - https://shermantheater.com/event/poconos-punk-rock-flea-market-2/sherman-theater/
ART BAZAAR SOCIAL LINKS
https://www.thealternativegallery.com/podcast
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550762686547
https://www.instagram.com/artbazaarpodcast