The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week Skateboard Archeology, Dire Wolf Bones, The Great Fear
Sep 24, 2025
Annalee Newitz, an author and science writer, dives into the fascinating world of historical gossip, revealing how rumors spread during the 18th century like a contagious disease. She discusses a study linking this rumor mill to political action during France's Great Fear. Additionally, the hosts explore the excavation of a 1978 skate park, shedding light on contemporary archaeology, and share insights on how dire wolf fossils can inform modern animal care practices. Tune in for a blend of history and science!
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Wheels And Empty Pools Reinvented Skateboarding
- Skateboarding revived in the early 1970s after polyurethane wheels made it safer and more versatile compared with metal or clay wheels.
- Empty California swimming pools provided the curved terrains that birthed many modern skateboarding tricks and styles.
Contemporary Archaeology Validates Recent Past
- Contemporary archaeology studies 20th–21st century material culture like skate parks, trash, and graffiti using standard archaeological tools plus oral histories.
- Researchers argue the recent past deserves study because cultural memory is short and many meaningful sites are being forgotten.
Luna Luna Reassembled From Moldering Remains
- Rachel recounted visiting The Shed's Luna Luna exhibit built from artist-designed amusement park pieces stored and partially ruined for decades.
- The exhibit combined physical remains, reconstructions, oral history, and ephemera to rebuild the lost cultural story.
