Unearthed! In Spring 2026, Part 1

In this installment of 'Stuff You Missed in History Class,' hosts Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Frey dive into a wide array of recent archaeological and historical discoveries from around the world. The episode begins with updates on past Unearthed findings, including new inscriptions discovered in Pompeii using reflectance transformation imaging, evidence of poor hygiene in Roman baths due to stagnant water, and a highly decorated room unearthed at Torre del Greco. The team then explores groundbreaking medical and scientific findings, such as DNA evidence of HPV-16 in the 5,000-year-old Iceman, Neanderthal use of birch bark tar with antimicrobial properties, and the first physical proof of fecal-based Roman remedies. The episode highlights ancient texts and artifacts, including 13,000 newly discovered Egyptian ostraca, a 2,000-year-old Roman wax tablet with deciphered legal documents, and a 3,300-year-old papyrus with 'whiteout' corrections. Among the oldest finds are a 60,000-year-old arrow poison in South Africa, a 9,500-year-old intentional cremation in Malawi, and a 67,800-year-old hand stencil in Indonesia—potentially the world’s oldest rock art. The episode also touches on cultural and sensory history, including the recreation of ancient mummy scents and the identification of the world’s oldest known whale song recording from 1949. A heartfelt listener email celebrates the podcast’s influence on rediscovering forgotten books and making unexpected historical connections.