Trowel & Mike

14/02/2024

Due to popular demand*, we're coming back!

Trowel & Mike will return soon - stay tuned for more podcasts, videos and educational content, all in the name of archaeology and adventure!



Video made with the app.
Music from "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (1989)
"Trowel and Mike" title font by
Video game overlay from "Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis" (1992)
Images of Matt, Josh and Adam made with

*Demand from Josh and Matt.

19/09/2022

Can't say how proud I am to see Matt hired as a fully-fledged archaeologist!

Several years ago as kids we talked about how we wanted to be archaeologists at school, many years ago we studied archaeology at university and just a few short years ago, we started Trowel & Mike in hopes to continue talking about all things archaeology!

Now that new chapter begins and I'm so incredibly happy and proud of you mate. Good luck in your new role, I've seen you excel in this discipline many times in many scenarios, so once again, pick up your trowel and get down and dirty.

You've got this 🤠

03/06/2022

Having worked on site at Willunga today, Matthew and I were given access to the site photos and we found this great group shot amongst the 300+ taken!

Have to ask... who did it better? Me or Wolverine? 💪

22/05/2022

Election didn't go the way you wanted?
Election did go the way you wanted?

Either way, come down to the Willunga Courthouse and Slate museums today and meet some archaeologists.

20/05/2022

Great day to meet some archaeologists at the Community Archaeology Day.

20/05/2022

Getting ready for Community Archaeology Weekend. Why not come along and see what archaeologists do. Museums are open too.

18/05/2022

The Kiusu Burials are a collection of circular earthworks dating back to around 1200BC during the Jomon Period.
The site is located in Central Hokkaido in Japan outside of Chitose City.
Matt had the pleasure of visiting the site back in 2016.

The construction of the each individual earthworks features a sunken burial area surrounded by a raised mound which would have acted as a barrier between the living and the dead.
Each earthwork features an entranceway cut into the boundary circle which would have served as the only access to the burials inside.

The burials would have required the labour of members of multiple tribes in order to construct, showing their importance in the way that they brought people together.

The burials are also an example of the need to protect our heritage as a modern road has been built through the middle of the burial group, including directly through one of the burials.

If you're interested in more detailed information check out the link below to watch a short video we found online presented by the Chitose Archaeological Operations Centre.

https://youtu.be/1Hh_OpUlz0M

17/05/2022

A trowel is the primary tool used by archaeologists during excavations.

It might look like it would be much slower and more work than digging with a shovel or excavator... and it is.

But that's the point!

Archaeologists use the trowel to carefully remove soil in layers, also known as contexts, to ensure that they don't damage or miss any important features or finds.

The trowel is also perfect for gently removing delicate objects from the soil after being recorded so that work can continue.

If you'd like to talk to an archaeologist about proper trowel techniques be sure to visit the Willunga Courthouse Museum for the community archaeology weekend this Saturday 21st or Sunday 22nd (or both) of May.

16/05/2022

This week is National Archaeology Week so all hands are on deck to get out there and get dirty!

Follow us and the hashtag to find out what's happening near you!

Each state and its universities and institutions have put on a series of events to highlight the importance of archaeology and provide opportunities to get involved!

If you'd like to join Matthew and myself in the field, head down to Willunga this Saturday (21/05) and try out some fieldwork for yourselves!

10/05/2022

Myself, Matthew and many of our friends and colleagues have been lucky enough to travel to where our passions want us to go.

We were having a chat this evening about this and it got me thinking about my first trip overseas: Egypt - way back in 2008!

Of all the beautiful temples, old cities, tombs, pyramids and combinations thereof, my favourite site was this one.

This is St. Simeon's Monastery; a monastery built by Coptic Christian monks during the 7th century AD. It was structured like a fortress with an outer wall and even stables and a wine press too.

Though the monastery was originally dedicated to the local Saint Anba Hedra, the monastery was later rebuilt in the 10th century and dedicated to St. Simeon instead.

In 1173, Saladin and his forces destroyed some of the monastery, though it remained in use until it was finally abandoned in the 13th century...

Why, out of all the amazing sites of Egypt, was this my favourite? It was the experience. For me, nothing beats the desert and a slow, camelback ride through the Sahara, with nothing surrounding you but sand until, almost an hour later, your camel makes it over a crest and - there, in the distance, lies an abandoned fortress just asking to be explored...

09/05/2022

A laser distance measure is a device which uses a beam of light to record... distances.

Simply align the measure with the chosen starting point and turn it on. The device will begin sending pulses of light in the direction it is pointed. In order for the measure to take a reading it must be pointed at a solid surface.
Once you have confirmed that the measure is aligned correctly click to take the measurement.
It then calculates the distance based on how long it takes for the reflections to bounce back.

It is a fantastic device which can be used instead of a tape measure, so long as you are working with (or can fabricate) solid surfaces.
It is particularly good for recording buildings.

Some laser distance measures can even be connected to your phone to create a plan as you take the readings.

06/05/2022

Matt and I were fortunate enough to test out a number of metal detectors in the field today with the opportunity to pick one to hang on to!

A simple survey of just one half of one plot has given us much data to work with and plenty of places to dig in the future!

For a brief introduction on metal detecting and archaeological field survey, keep an eye out here and on Facebook for a short video.

Cheers 😁🎙

02/05/2022

Hey folks,

We're finally getting back on track with the release of our latest episode:

"Context Thing"

Strange name but once we decided on the thumbnail for Hotline Bling, it got stuck in our heads and we chose the closest, and incidentally, most relevant title for this episode.

Context is one of, if not the most important aspects of archaeology - but what exactly is "context" and how is it defined in an archaeological setting?

Join us as we explore this important topic that has been touched upon in previous episodes and will feature very prominently in our next few episodes too!

Happy listening and we hope you learn something new!

Cheers!

Josh, Matt (& Mike)

02/05/2022

This is the site that Matthew and I work at each month! With later this month, there will be plenty of work ahead! Stay tuned for updates from the field!

ARCHSOC and the National Trust SA (Willunga Branch) will be facilitating a Community Archaeology Weekend event on Sat 21 - Sun 22 May 2022, 10am-3pm.
Find out what it is like to be an Archaeologist or Historian through interactive displays and activities!
* Dig for your own artefact
* Archaeological demonstrations
* Multimedia presentations
* Artefact analysis
* Historical tours and Reenactments
* Plus more!
Food and beverages will be available for purchase on both days. A fun packed weekend for all! So come on down to the Willunga Courthouse Museum, 61 High Street Willunga SA.
👷 👈

06/04/2022

Trowel & Mike would like to apologise for the delay in the release of the March podcast.
Unfortunately, Josh and Matt have both been under the pump both at and outside of their day jobs.
Mike is just sitting around doing nothing though. Lazy.
However, we intend to release both the March and April podcasts later this month.
On top of that there should be some extra content coming from fieldwork we are both involved in.
Stay tuned.

19/03/2022

Time Team makes its return.

Time Team officially returns for its first brand new episode in a decade. New presenters Dr Gus Casely-Hayford and Natalie Haynes join team members old and n...

10/03/2022

What was one of the world's greatest undiscovered shipwrecks is identified on the Antarctic seafloor.

28/02/2022

Finally after several technical difficulties, the latest episode of Trowel & Mike.
Enjoy... hopefully.

28/02/2022

Time Team's Dani Wootton takes a look at some of most amazing recent archaeological discoveries across the world. In this round up, we shine a light on fasci...

28/02/2022

Hey folks!

The most recent episode: "Romancing the Stone Age" was released yesterday on Castbox!

Unfortunately we've encountered some issues that have prevented us from posting it here on Facebook! We'll continue trying to fix this but in the meantime, check out the Castbox website or app to hear our latest episode!!!

Thanks for your patience!

T & M

27/02/2022

Welcome back everyone!

With just a day to spare, we've managed to stay committed to our goal of posting monthly podcast episodes!

Here is February's episode: "Romancing the Stone Age"

In this episode, we delve deep into the more romantic side of history and archaeology by exploring stories about famous couples in both disciplines, examining sites that reveal that love is eternal and even by revealing the true story of Saint Valentine himself.

So if you're curious to learn something new, tune in on here or via the Castbox app to hear what our research has uncovered!

Also, big shout out to J.J. Chittleborough who has written us a couple of theme songs! Blues fans be sure to check him out on Spotify!

As always, big thanks to you all for supporting Matthew and I as we share our passion for archaeology!

Happy listening!

PS: Apologies for some of the audio quality, I am currently in isolation so I've contributed to this episode via phone call! - Josh

27/02/2022

Hey everyone!

Having committed to one episode a month, we've only just managed to scrape in with a day to spare!

Here is our latest episode: "Romancing the Stone Age"

As February is the month of Valentine's, we thought it appropriate to focus on the more romantic side of history and archaeology.

Have a listen to our latest episode to hear all about famous couples in history, archaeology (and in the ground) as well as a little bit about Saint Valentine himself...

Also, big shoutout to J.J. Chittleborough who has written us a couple of theme songs! If you're a fan of the blues, be sure to check him out over on Spotify!

As always, big thank you to our followers as well. Your support means a great deal to Matthew and I and keeps our passion for archaeology burning brightly!

Happy listening!

PS: Apologies for some of the audio quality. Due to being in isolation, we have had to record over phone call! - Josh

20/02/2022

A Dumpy Level is one of the most important tools for an archaeologist when conducting a site survey.
This instrument can be used to measure the location of features and objects on a site horizontally while also measuring their level (or depth/height).

Because of this, the Dumpy can create an accurate site plan and record the location of artefacts and objects within the site, horizontally and vertically, so long as it has been set up correctly.

The Dumpy works by taking readings off a ranging pole which has been placed on a feature or object. The operator stares through the telescope, aligning the cross-hairs with the markings on the pole.

While you need at least two people to record with a Dumpy Level (the operator and a 'pole bearer', a third person to speed up recording the measurements for the operator is highly recommended.

For a first time user recording measurements with a Dumpy can seem daunting, but usually once you've got your eye in it becomes almost second nature.

07/02/2022

An archaeologist can tell a lot from the lumps and bumps of a landscape.

When looking at this site, someone who knows what to look for can see the outline of what were once the walls of a 19th century, two room hut.

This ability to read the landscape can also be applied to much larger scale to examine the relationship between multiple sites.