Host Dr. Alan Garfinkel interviews Dr. John Bellezza about his path from traveling in India and Tibet in the 1980s to focusing on Tibetan prehistory, archaeology, cosmology, and rock art, later earning a PhD at the University of Kent based on prior publications. Bellezza stresses learning Tibetan languages and working in the field as Tibet opened to travelers in 1984, then turning to pre-Buddhist traditions often erased or absorbed by Buddhism and long neglected by scholars. He describes discoveries at Lake Namtso, evidence for high-altitude pastoralism and hunting, and key finds in rock art and monuments, including chariots and standing-stone complexes. He previews ongoing rock art volumes and future work on bronze talismans and Old Tibetan texts.

For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/rockart/164

Dr. Alan Garfinkel

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In this episode, Alan speaks with Dr Jayc Sedlmayr about his research into indigenous theology and animal ceremonial traditions. Drawing on interdisciplinary backgrounds, Sedlmayr discusses his “Embodied Essence” project, which explores how many cultures understood spiritual essence as residing in bodily substances—especially bone marrow. He explains how this perspective helps interpret ritual practices involving bones, such as their treatment as regenerative “seeds,” their placement in ceremonial contexts, and their role in maintaining relationships between humans, animals, and the spiritual world.

For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/rockart/163

• Embodied Essence sessions (SAA 2024 collection)
• The Ensouled Body (co-authored by Jayc Sedlmayr)

Dr. Alan Garfinkel

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In this episode, Alan speaks with Dr Christian Bentz and Dr Ewa Dutkiewicz about their research on early systems of conventional signs. They explore how recurring symbols in rock art and mobile artifacts may reflect shared visual communication as far back as 40,000 years ago, and what this reveals about early human cognition and culture.

For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/rockart/162

• SignBase, a collection of geometric signs on mobile objects in the Palaeolithic
• Humans 40,000 years ago developed a system of conventional signs
• Dr Ewa Dutkiewicz Profile
• Dr Christian Bentz Profile

Dr. Alan Garfinkel

• avram1952@yahoo.com
• Dr. Alan Garfinkel’s Website
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• APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
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