

The Dirt Diaries
Dr. Tenninger Kellenbarger
Join Dr. Tenninger Kellenbarger, an archaeologist and art historian, as she delves into ancient history, mythology, intricate artifacts, and more every other Wednesday beginning at 6 am EST.
History, once forgotten, lives again here.
Walk the halls with us as we tell their stories. Class is in session, and this is not your normal Indiana Jones adventure; it's so much more.
These are the Dirt Diaries.
History, once forgotten, lives again here.
Walk the halls with us as we tell their stories. Class is in session, and this is not your normal Indiana Jones adventure; it's so much more.
These are the Dirt Diaries.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 1, 2026 • 46min
Copper Crash Out: The World's Oldest Complaint and the Most Infamous Conman
Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! We are staying in Ur this week to discuss the oldest crash out we have on record! What happened to cause this? What broke the camel's back? And is this, in fact, an image of Ea-Nasir?We are talking all things hate mail and votive stares today, so bring your finest clay tablet as we talk the copper complaint of Ea-Nasir. -Stay curious!Travel with me, my socials, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

Mar 18, 2026 • 1h 5min
Monarchs of Mesopotamia: Who's Who In The Royal Cemetery of Ur
Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! We are going on an ancient tour of sorts today as we analyze the evidence from the 16 graves at the Cemetery of Ur that Woolley termed royal. Who was buried here? Who were these tombs intended for? And what was found? Grab your shovel and notes, it's time to dig deeper into the Royal Cemetery of Ur.-Stay curiousTravel with me, my socials, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

Mar 3, 2026 • 56min
No Man Will Find My Tomb: Legend or Legitimate Words From the Last Pharaoh of Egypt
Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! We are analyzing the infamous words of the last pharaoh of Egypt. Did Cleopatra actually state that no man would find her tomb? Is this legit or a legend? And if so, when did it come about? We are trying to get to the bottom of this rumor that has seemingly become bigger than Cleopatra VII herself...But what do you think?-Stay curiousTravel with me, my socials, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

Feb 18, 2026 • 53min
The Mummy: Analyzing What the 1999 Cinematic Masterpiece Got Right
Welcome back to Season 3 of the Dirt Diaries! Today, we are looking at what the 1999 cinematic masterpiece starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz got right in terms of ancient history, Egyptology, and more! From the curse of the Hom Dai, Imhotep, and the Book of the Dead, we are covering it all!-Stay Curious! Travel with me, my socials, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 3min
Closing the Tomb on 2025: Ancient Tattoos, a Forgotten Prince, Odysseus & More Top Finds
Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! In this final episode of the season, we are going over some of my top finds of the year before we shut the tomb of 2025! From ancient tattoos, new Mesopotamian myths, a sanctuary to Odysseus, and a new Egyptian prince, we are covering it all here! Out of all of them listed, which was your favorite? If it wasn't mentioned, drop it below! Of course, after I filmed this, more news and reports have come out, but that gives us more to talk about next year!-Stay curiousTravel with me, my socials, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tennFor more information on the finds, see: House of Helle and Phrixus: M. Rispoli, M. Tartari, G. Zuchtriegel, Disastri stratificati: nuovi dati dalla Casa di Hele e Frixo – Regio V, insula 6, civico 10. E-Journal Scavi di Pompei 30.04.25Mesopotamian Myth: Matuszak, J. (2024). Of captive storm gods and cunning foxes: New insights into early Sumerian mythology, with an edition of Ni 12501. Iraq, 86, 79–108. doi:10.1017/irq.2024.19Ancient Tattoos: Caspari, G., Deter-Wolf, A., Riday, D., Vavulin, M., & Pankova, S. (2025). High-resolution near-infrared data reveal Pazyryk tattooing methods. Antiquity, 1–15. doi:10.15184/aqy.2025.10150

Nov 19, 2025 • 45min
Amulets of Antiquity: How Scarabs, Mjölnir, and More Protected Ancient Wearers
How did the ancients protect themselves with pendants? What were some of these amulets of antiquity? Well, we're exploring a few today, including a scarab, seals of Solomon, Mjölnir, and more! With all the holiday commercials showing jewelry of today, what were people wearing millennia ago? While every kiss begins with Kay, to the ancients, it may have been more along the lines of every talisman tells a tale! Which one was your favorite, and which would you wear? -Stay curiousWant more Dirt Diaries? Join patreon with all your history-loving friends!patreon.com/TheDirtDiariesTravel with me, my socials, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

Oct 29, 2025 • 44min
The Necromancy Cave: Ancient Rituals, Rites and Roman Mysteries
Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! Today, we are exploring the cave of skulls where ancient necromancies were believed to take place. What was found? What is necromancy? And could the ancient peoples actually raise the dead? Get ready for the Halloween episode with ghosts, spirits, scary stories, and more!-Stay curiousWant more Dirt Diaries?Join patreon with all your history-loving friends!patreon.com/TheDirtDiariesTravel with me, my socials, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

Oct 15, 2025 • 48min
The Cursed Well of Athens: Ancient Magic and Curses 2300 years Later
Discover the intriguing world of curses buried in a 2,500-year-old well in Athens! Uncover the motives behind ancient spells of jealousy and love, and learn how wells were linked to the underworld. Find out about cursed dolls and the fascinating materials used in these tablets. Explore the legal and social attitudes towards magic in ancient society. Delve into the chilling story of Glycara and her curse, revealing scandalous relationships and desires. What do these ancient rituals tell us about the people of Athens?

Oct 1, 2025 • 45min
The Tomb of Cerberus: Tales of the Underworld and an Ancient Hero
Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries podcast! Today, as we welcome October, we are cracking open an ancient tomb to explore where archaeology and mythology meet! That's right, if you love Heracles or Greek Mythology this is the episode for you. From the labors of Heracles to the legends themselves, we are going into this Roman-era tomb that is slowly revealing its secrets. -Stay curiousWant more Dirt Diaries? Join patreon with all your history-loving friends!patreon.com/TheDirtDiariesTravel with me, my socials, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

Sep 17, 2025 • 51min
A Clash of Chariots & Kings: The Battle of Kadesh
Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! Today, we are getting into our war chariots to examine an ancient battle, one that pitted kings and empires against one another in the Bronze Age game of thrones. We are discussing armies, weapons, and the world's oldest peace treaty that emerged from this conflict. Who do you think won this round? As usual, I will be doing my make-up as I get ready with you all as we chat about the battle of Kadesh.-Stay curiousWant more Dirt Diaries? Join patreon with all your history-loving friends!patreon.com/TheDirtDiariesTravel with me, my socials, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn


