We all know the old joke: archaeologists find something, can’t figure out its purpose, and decide it must have a “ritual function.” But what’s the real story when it comes to exploring ritual in the archaeological record? In this special live recording of The Dirt, Anna and Amber tackle that very question by exploring the theory that informs ritual, before doing a roundup of sites and studies that give us a glimpse into a different side of people’s lives in other times and places.

After the show, the hosts will hang around for a Q&A about the episode’s topic, science communication, podcasting, and ways to get involved in archaeology no matter your age or background. Learn more about The Dirt Podcast at: thedirtpod.com