The Dirt Diaries

Follow The Dirt Diaries
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

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.

Tenninger Kellenbarger | Styx and Bones


    • May 28, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 37m AVG DURATION
    • 28 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from The Dirt Diaries with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Dirt Diaries

    The Priestess and Poet Who Became the World's Oldest Author

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 36:19


    Before Homer and before the Bible, there was another. Her name was forgotten for thousands of years until Sir Leonard Woolley found her name and title at Ur. Daughter of Sargon the Great, she held power and authority as the head priestess to the Moon god Nanna. Virginia Wolfe is credited with stating that for most of history, anonymous was a woman. Yet today, a name rises from one of the cradles of civilization, a priestess and poet whose verses echo through time. Her words and legacy are preserved on clay from almost 4000 years ago. She cements her position in history that almost forgot her, she is Enheduanna.-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

    Gods & Griffins: Fantastical Beasts of the Ancient World

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 47:37


    Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! Open up your mythology books and bestiaries for this episode as we explore these mythical monsters. To these ancient peoples, griffins weren't just legends; they were power personified, often found in the company of kings, queens, and gods. Mythology and legends live again today as we look at these fantastical beasts and where to find them.-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

    Bronze & Bloodshed: Ancient Weaponry in Egypt and the Aegean

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 55:59


    Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! Today, we are going beyond the blade as we examine some of the weapons featured in the early scenes of power in Egypt and the Aegean. This is the weapons episode you have all been waiting for, as we travel back to the time of bronze and bloodshed.-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

    Monarchs to Mythology: Ancient Legends in Solo Leveling

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 21:42


    I've watched the anime and read the manhwa, so we're diving into Solo Leveling, looking at connections to mythology and ancient history that you may have missed in episodes or even the opening!We're breaking down the elixir to life, Cerberus, and more as antiquity meets the world of S-ranked hunters. Join patreon with all your history-loving friends!patreon.com/TheDirtDiariesTravel with me, my socials, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

    Titanic: Echoes in the Atlantic 113 years later

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 57:01


    Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! Today, we are diving into the Titanic, its timeline of events, tales of heroism, and artifacts being sold. I have always been interested in this piece of history, so travel back 113 years as we examine the night she struck an iceberg.What can we learn from the messages, wreckage, and more? Well, we are just getting started.-Stay curiousP.S.- I highly recommend the newest documentary out by National Geographic!Want 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

    Prehistoric Goddess Figures? The World's Oldest Venus

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 41:55


    Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! Today, I am diving into some of the oldest pieces of art, which are referred to as Venus figures, named after the Roman goddess of love, lust, sexuality, and more. These little ladies date anywhere from 40,000-16,000 years ago and continue to enchant viewers today!From the world's oldest depiction of a human to miniature goddess figures, we're diving into it all this week!-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

    Elixir to Life: Ancient Quests for Immortality

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 41:33


    Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! I am diving into some of the most famed ancient quests for immortality with legends, men of myth, and of course an emperor who sought to have his dynasty for 10,000 generations!From one of the oldest epics in the world, to a tomb yet to be opened, we're diving into it all this week!-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

    Mycenae: Greek Heroes and Grave Circle A

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 48:36


    Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! I am diving into the realm of mythology slightly with this episode as we delve into the site of Mycenae.Our buddy Heinrich Schliemann dug Grave Circle A after being sued for not sharing his treasure, so we are in for a treat! We're looking in the shaft graves and in the tomb of Agamemnon himself for this episode, so you won't want to miss it!-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

    Eternally Yours: Ancient Love Poems

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 48:02


    Welcome back to the Dirt Diaries! Since February is the month of love with Valentine, I thought it would be fun to go over some ancient love poems and songs and then... rank them. I go over everything from the world's oldest love songs to those written by Sappho and Plato and everything in between. People may say ILY today, but someone in the ancient world said, " I wish I were Heaven, with a billion eyes to look at you." -Stay curious Want more Dirt Diaries? Join patreon with all your history-loving friends! patreon.com/TheDirtDiaries Travel with me, my socials, and more! https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

    Queen Puabi: When Women Ruled

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 42:08


    Welcome back to season 2 of the Dirt Diaries! So happy to be back, and what better way to dive back in than with the famed Queen Puabi and her tomb from the Royal Cemetery at Ur. From all of the beautiful grave goods and jewelry that were found still adorning her to the guards still protecting the front door and everything in between, including a possible death pit. -Stay curious Want more Dirt Diaries? Join patreon with all your history-loving friends! patreon.com/TheDirtDiaries Travel with me, my socials, and more! https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

    Burying 2024: Top Archaeological Discoveries

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 51:48


    Welcome back, explorers! Dr. K is back for the last episode of the season, this time breaking down her top finds and, yes, ranking the top 3 of 2024! Grab your scorecards and shovels as we rank the finds and bury 2024! And these are the Dirt Diaries... Follow Dr. K on social media: https://www.tiktok.com/@dirtdiaries_ https://www.instagram.com/dirtdiaries_/ Travel with me to Egypt and China, take my lectures, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn Email me: dirtdiaries.tenn@gmail.com We will return II.V.MMXXV

    Rematch: The World's Oldest Games

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 29:10


    Welcome back explorers! Dr. K is back again this time to talk about some of the oldest board games in the world. I'm diving into the games that swept the ancient world that even some of the famed rulers once played like King Tut and Queen Nefertari. So grab your boards, pawns and die and let's dive into the realm of the oldest board games! This isn't ancient aliens; this is the real thing. And these are the Dirt Diaries... Follow Dr. K on social media: https://www.tiktok.com/@dirtdiaries_ https://www.instagram.com/dirtdiaries_/Travel with me to Egypt and China, take my lectures, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

    Till Death: Ancient Roman Weddings

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 40:07


    Welcome back, explorers! Dr. K is back again, discussing all things ancient weddings—well, at least as they happened in ancient Rome! Inspiration struck as I just got back from my wedding, so grab your dresses, tuxedos, and rings because we're talking weddings then and now! This isn't ancient aliens; this is the real thing. And these are the DIrt Diaries... Follow Dr. K on social media: https://www.tiktok.com/@dirtdiaries_ https://www.instagram.com/dirtdiaries_/ Travel with me to Egypt and China, take my lectures, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

    Ancient Ghosts

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 33:14


    It's the end of October, which means it's time for Ancient Ghosts! What is the earliest ghost story? Do ghosts show up in art? What happens when things go bump in the night? Most importantly, who did you call in the ancient world when your house was haunted? These are the Dirt Diaries... From us to you, Happy Halloween! *A note: the tablet depicting a ghost is from 1500 BCE* Follow Dr. K on social media: https://www.tiktok.com/@dirtdiaries_ https://www.instagram.com/dirtdiaries_/ Travel with me to Egypt and China, take my lectures, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

    Ancient Crime: The Harem Conspiracy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 39:47


    The year is 1155 BCE, and the pharaoh was just killed. Who was responsible for his untimely death? Were his assassins sent from abroad, or was he killed by someone he knew and trusted? This would become known as the harem conspiracy documented on the Turin Judicial Papyrus. This ancient crime remained unsolved until recently, and we're breaking down potential areas where it took place, suspects, motives, and more. These are the Dirt Diaries... Join Patreon with all your tomb mates, be part of the copper crew, and see what's in the restricted section for extra history, mythology, and archaeology content: patreon.com/TheDirtDiaries Follow Dr. K on social media: https://www.tiktok.com/@dirtdiaries_ https://www.instagram.com/dirtdiaries_/Travel with me to Egypt and China, take my lectures, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

    Ask An Archaeologist: Answering Your Burning Questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 40:20


    The Dirt Diaries are back, and before we deep dive into some spooky episodes for October, I'm sitting down to answer your burning questions, including everything from what it took to get here to the age-old question: do archaeologists really lick bones? These are the Dirt Diaries... Join Patreon with all your tomb mates, be part of the copper crew, and see what's in the restricted section for extra history, mythology, and archaeology content: patreon.com/TheDirtDiaries Follow Dr. K on social media: https://www.tiktok.com/@dirtdiaries_ https://www.instagram.com/dirtdiaries_/ Travel with me to Egypt and China, take my lectures, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

    Ancient Makeup: Cosmetics Of Antiquity

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 28:48


    The Dirt Diaries Podcast is back after a brief break while Dr. K was in Egypt! This episode is all about ancient makeup, where she talks about eye paint, blush, and khol. Did you know makeup has been found dating back over 5,000 years? That's right! Whether it's eye paint from Puabi's tomb, makeup kits from ancient Egypt, or face cream from Roman Britain, Dr. K is talking all about it here! Grab your palettes and your mirrors, and let's dive in! These are the Dirt Diaries... Join Patreon with all your tomb mates, be part of the copper crew, and see what's in the restricted section for extra history, mythology, and archaeology content: patreon.com/TheDirtDiaries Follow Dr. K on social media: https://www.tiktok.com/@dirtdiaries_ https://www.instagram.com/dirtdiaries_/ Travel with me, take my lectures and more! https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

    Handbooks to the Afterlife: Funerary Texts of Ancient Egypt

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 26:35


    Welcome back to another episode of the Dirt Diaries podcast! Dr. K is back and is talking about the ancient handbooks for the recently deceased in ancient Egypt. Did you know the Book of the Dead wasn't the only funerary text? That's right; she's covering the three used for over two thousand years. What are these texts? How did they help? Was the journey to the afterlife scary? These are the Dirt Diaries... Join Patreon with all your tomb mates, be part of the copper crew, and see what's in the restricted section for extra history, mythology, and archaeology content: patreon.com/TheDirtDiariesFollow Dr. K on social media: https://www.tiktok.com/@dirtdiaries_ https://www.instagram.com/dirtdiaries_/ Travel with me, take my lectures, and more! https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

    Hobby Lobby and Stolen Art: The Epic of Gilgamesh, Dead Sea Scrolls and More

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 31:00


    The Dirt Diaries are back again this week with another crazy topic! Did you know a craft store bought stolen art and forgeries? Well, now you do! That's right, Dr. K is talking all about the multiple times Hobby Lobby got caught in the illegal antiquities trade! Why did they buy it? How did this happen more than once? And more importantly, how does the Epic of Gilgamesh fit into it all? These are the Dirt Diaries... Join patreon with all your tomb mates, be part of the copper crew and see what's in the restricted section for extra history, mythology and archaeology content: patreon.com/TheDirtDiaries Follow Dr. K on social media: https://www.instagram.com/dirtdiaries_ https://tiktok.com/@dirtdiaries_ Travel with me, take my lectures, and more! https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

    The First Emperor of China: Quests For Immortality & The Terracotta Army

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 25:38


    In this week's episode, we are moving from Mesopotamia over to China as we cover the period of the warring states, the first emperor of China, his quest for immortality, and, of course, his terracotta army. How was this game of thrones won when China was not unified? What secrets does his tomb hold? And did he consume mercury? These are The Dirt Diaries... Join Patreon with all your tomb mates and members of the restricted section for extra history, mythology, and archaeology content! patreon.com/TheDirtDiaries Follow me on social media: https://www.tiktok.com/@dirtdiaries_ https://www.instagram.com/dirtdiaries_/ Take a class, travel with me, and more! https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

    The World's Oldest Complaint: The Infamous Copper Dealings From Ea-Nasir

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 30:08


    Welcome back, everyone! We are diving into a new episode all about the infamous businessman from ancient Mesopotamia! That's right—we're staying at the site of Ur to investigate the world's oldest complaint! At almost 4000 years old, what was the complaint about? Copper! But is there more to the story, or was this just a one-off? And who was our guy, Ea-Nasir? Patreon Dirt Diaries now has a Patreon for extra history, archaeology, and mythology content! Join now and connect with all your history friends! patreon.com/TheDirtDiaries A huge thank you to Steffen for sending me this 3D-printed complaint tablet! You can find him on TikTok @steffenbakksigils and his link tree here: https://linktr.ee/Steffenbakksigils Drop your email to get alerts when the new Egypt trip launches! https://trovatrip.com/host/profiles/tenninger-g08n2 Follow me on social media: https://www.tiktok.com/@dirtdiaries_ https://www.instagram.com/dirtdiaries_/ Take a class from me and more! https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

    The Death Pits of Ur: Treasures, Royal Tombs, and Tales of Death

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 30:52


    Welcome back, explorers! Dr. K is back with a new episode about the death pits in the royal cemetery at Ur. This cemetery, which houses over 1800 graves, was uncovered during a joint expedition between the British Museum and the University of Pennsylvania. Sir Leonard Woolley uncovered riches never before seen and also stumbled on a find that would take the news by storm: the death pits of Ur. As this episode touches on sensitive topics, listener discretion is advised. Please take care while listening. Want more ancient iconography, Greco-Roman mythology, ancient magic, and superstitions? Be sure to check out Tenn on her off weeks on Styx and Bones with Chelsea and Tenn! For extras about the Dirt Diaries, Egypt Trips, socials, and more, check everything out here: https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn

    War On The Gods: The Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaten

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 30:02


    Crack open your books. The Dirt Diaries is back again, with Dr. K delving into one of the most well-known pharaohs in ancient history: Akhenaten. As a ruler during Dynasty XVIII, he had everything in place for him to succeed, but his new religion would shake Egypt to its very core when he decided to wage war on the gods. Want more ancient symbols, amulets, and superstitions of the Mediterranean world with a dash of Greek Mythology? Be sure to check Tenn out on her off weeks with Styx and Bones with Chelsea and Tenn! For extras about the Dirt Diaries, Egypt 2024 trip, socials, and more check out the links here: https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn Got a question? Email me! dirtdiaries.tenn@gmail.com

    The Uluburun: The Ancient Shipwreck, The Riches On Board, And More!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2024 29:08


    Welcome back, explorers! Ready to get wet? Because The Dirt Diaries is back again with Dr. K discussing the Bronze Age shipwreck, the Uluburun. She's talking about the riches on board, the final stop and answering the question, how much did the contents on the ship cost? Can't get enough ancient history, archaeology news, and more from Dr. K, be sure to subscribe to her Instagram or her Tiktok for extra daily posts. For more about the Dirt Diaries, Egypt Sept 2024 trip, and Styx and Bones, check out the link here: https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn Got a question? Email me: dirtdiaries.tenn@gmail.com

    Ink of Eternity: Tattoos of the Ancient World

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2024 48:21


    Welcome back, explorers! The Dirt Diaries is back again, and Dr. K discusses ancient ink and tattoos of the ancient world. While there are many incredible examples of tattoos from antiquities, we are looking at a few from Pharaonic Egypt and prehistoric Europe! Want more on ancient symbols, amulets, superstitions of the Mediterranean world, and mythology, be sure to check out Styx and Bones with Chelsea and Tenn during the off-weeks of the Dirt Diaries! For more about the Dirt Diaries and the upcoming Egypt trip, check out the links here: https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn Check out more here for Styx and Bones: https://beacons.ai/styxandboness

    I Curse You! Tomb Curses of the Ancient World

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2024 36:54


    Crack open your books as the Dirt Diaries is back again to discuss actual tomb curses of the ancient world, specifically from the Levant, Mesopotamia, and Egypt! While the curse of the mummy was actually more myth than reality, you won't want to miss these tomb curses from ancient history! Dr. K is covering it all from Old Kingdom Egypt to the second century in the Levant! Want more on tomb curses, ancient magic, or tomb guardians? Be sure to catch me on the Styx and Bones Podcast during the off-season of the Dirt Diaries for more ancient history and mythology content! Check out the links to that and more here: https://beacons.ai/styxandboness Want to travel to Egypt to see tombs, temples, and more? Well, come travel with me and your history friends this Sept! Check out what we're seeing here: https://trovatrip.com/trip/africa/egypt/egypt-with-tenninger-kellenbarger-sep-2024 Got questions? Email me! Dirtdiaries.tenn@gmail.com

    The Curse of the Mummy: From Royalty to Rumors

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 33:40


    The Dirt Diaries is back again, discussing the curse of the mummy that had people during the 1920s in an absolute chokehold following the famous discovery of none other than the boy king, Tutankhamun. Whether you have heard of this curse or love King Tut, you won't want to miss Dr. K's break down everything from Ancient Egypt to Egyptomania. While The Dirt Diaries air biweekly, you can catch me on Styx and Bones during the off-weeks for more ancient history, mystery cults, and Greek mythology content! Check out the links here for that and more here: https://beacons.ai/styxandboness Want to travel to Egypt with me? Check out the trip and more here: https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn Got questions? Email me at dirtdiaries.tenn@gmail.com

    Can You Dig It? Tales, Tombs, And Top Finds

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2024 28:14


    Welcome to The Dirt Diaries! I am Dr. Tenninger Kellenbarger, and I will be your guide as we uncover ancient history. Today's episode is all about answering some of my top questions that I get as an archaeologist and art historian, followed by what you can expect this season, and finally, wrapping up with some of my top archaeological finds of 2023. While The Dirt Diaries are biweekly, you can catch me on Styx and Bones with Chelsea and Tenn during the off weeks for more history, mystery, and mythology content. Want to travel to Egypt, see my research, and follow me? https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn Got questions? dirtdiaires.tenn@gmail.com

    Claim The Dirt Diaries

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel