HALLOWEEEEEEN
Late night at the museum! And it is proper spooky. There are people telling ghost stories, ‘real’ ghosts who I got to interview for the podcast, candle lit tours of iron age artifacts guided by hideous monsters*, life drawing classes, live music, drum circles and chanting… aaaaaand Turnip Carving.
Baldrick would love it.
As well as recording the podcast I was also hosting a pub quiz.
Do you know the answer to any of these?
Question 1
Which word originates from the Old English wicce, which some think to mean “wise woman”?
Question 2
Which modern-day custom takes its name from the Samhain tradition of burning the bones of cattle to ensure the sun would return after the long winter?
Question 3
A mummy case currently on display in Gallery 62 has been nicknamed the Unlucky Mummy. What is said to have happened to all those who handle the case?
Question 4
The Jack O’Lantern is believed to take its name from an Irish myth about a man called Stingy Jack. In the myth, what did he trick the Devil into buying for him?
Question 5
Bobbing for apples is believed to be an ancient Roman tradition brought to the UK during the Roman invasion of Britain. According to tradition, what would the first person to bite into an apple be allowed to do?
ANSWERS:
Witch
Bonfires
Since the mummy case of a high priestess came into the possession of Thomas Douglas Murray in the 1880s, a series of fatalities was said to be linked to those who handled the mummy case.
Drinks
Marry
More episodes are available below!
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Iszi and Dr Alice Roberts discuss her favourite ancient burial sites in the UK
Iszi and Caroline Lawrence discuss some of the Objects that inspired the Roman Mysteries series.
Iszi gets charmed by a curator into thinking Nero wasn’t as bad as all that.
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Curator Sue Brunning tells Iszi about the true story behind the excavation at Sutton Hoo, and how this famous discovery changed our understanding of the past.
From making up hieroglyphs to pinching obelisks, the history of Egyptology is nearly as fascinating as Egyptology itself.
In a new series the British Museum Untold sees Dr Julia Farley and Iszi Lawrence discover all the different ways The British Museum has been supporting international conversation projects and bringing the past to life!