Talk To An Expert

Step into the fascinating world of ancient Egypt with renowned Egyptologist Dr. Chris Naunton in this captivating 80-minute conversation that bridges the gap between cutting-edge archaeological science and timeless mysteries. Known for his work with the Egypt Exploration Society and acclaimed documentaries including "Tutankhamun and the Mystery of the Burnt Mummy," Dr. Naunton brings decades of scholarly expertise and fieldwork experience to explore some of Egypt's most intriguing questions.

This comprehensive interview takes you on an intellectual journey through 4,000 years of Egyptian civilization, from the architectural marvels that have stood for millennia to the latest technological breakthroughs revolutionizing our understanding of the pyramids. Discover how ancient concepts like Ma'at (cosmic order) influenced monumental design, learn about recent muon tomography discoveries revealing hidden chambers in the Great Pyramid, and delve into the mysteries surrounding enigmatic sites like the Serapeum at Saqqara and the megalithic Osirion at Abydos.

Dr. Naunton navigates between mainstream archaeology and alternative theories, providing evidence-based explanations for controversial topics while maintaining intellectual honesty about what remains unknown. From the astronomical sophistication of the Dendera Zodiac to the political intrigue surrounding female pharaohs like Sobekneferu and the lost queen Nefertiti, this conversation offers both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers a rare glimpse into the scholarly world of Egyptology.

What if the narratives of Noah, the Tower of Babel, and even Creation itself were not original to the Bible?

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Eckart Frahm at Yale University, one of the leading voices in the study of Mesopotamian history and texts, to take a look at interactions and overlap between Mesopotamian myths and the Hebrew Bible.

In our conversation we cover:

• The parallels between the epic of Gilgamesh and Noah's flood narrative

• How Babylonian creation myths could have shaped the account we have in Genesis

• The political and religious forces that helped shape God for ancient Israel

• Legal codes like Hammurabi's continuity with biblical law

• How ideas of exile, empire, and inter-cultural borrowing might have also contributed to monotheism

All cultures come to revisit and rewrite one another's traditions, from myth to theology, from trauma into identity. If you are interested in where these traditions began for some of the Bible's most recognisable stories, this is a must listen.

Eckart Frahm is the John M. Musser Professor of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations at Yale University. His research focuses on Assyrian and Babylonian history, cuneiform texts, and ancient Mesopotamian literature, religion, and politics. His latest book, Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World’s First Empire (2023), won the Nancy Lapp Popular Book Award and has been widely translated.

Frahm has authored numerous books on Assyriology, including studies on Sennacherib’s inscriptions, Babylonian and Assyrian text commentaries, and cuneiform constellations. He co-directs the NEH-funded Cuneiform Commentaries Project and holds editorial roles in major academic series and journals. At Yale, he oversees cuneiform research at the Peabody Museum and organizes the Assyriological Seminar series.

Before Yale, he taught at Heidelberg and worked with cuneiform collections worldwide. He has also contributed to archaeological excavations and training programs for Iraqi scholars. His extensive publications are available at his Yale Academia profile.

What if an Egyptian princess became one of Ireland’s founding legends?

In this episode, Dr Ioannis Syrigos speaks with author and researcher Luke Eastwood about his explosive theory linking Queen Meritaten, daughter of Akhenaten and sister of Tutankhamun, to the legendary figure of Scotia in early Irish myth. We discuss DNA evidence, forgotten texts, ancient trade routes, and the political resistance to rewriting history.

Subscribe now to Ancient Origins Unleashed for interviews that challenge conventional history.

And don't miss the companion article: “Egyptian Queen Meritaten (Scotia) – Was Her Voyage to Ireland Possible?”

Luke Eastwood. He is an author, researcher, and a bold voice in the exploration of ancient history and forgotten lore. With a deep background in spirituality, mythology, and Celtic tradition, Luke brings a unique interdisciplinary lens to his work.

His latest book, Scotia: Lost Sister of Tutankhamun, offers a provocative and fascinating theory, that Meritaten, daughter of the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten, may have fled Egypt after the collapse of the Amarna dynasty and become the legendary Scota, a foundational figure in early Irish and Scottish myth.

In this interview, I sit down with historian and broadcaster Dr. Christopher Harding to unravel the story of Himiko, the enigmatic shaman-queen who appears at the start of Japanese history, and who quite possibly founded the world's oldest surviving monarchy.

We learn that Himiko ruled with political authority and “supernatural” power. Feared and respected, and possibly erased from Japanese records, she was so dominant that she could command 1,000 attendants, yet is virtually unknown to the modern world. We also look at her portrayal in Tomb Raider, debates over her secret tomb, and what her legacy is today in modern Japan.

If you think Japanese history is all about emperors, samurai, and men, this one will make you think again!
Read the relevant article: Queen Himiko: The Shaman Ruler Who Haunts Japan's Ancient Past.

Dr. Christopher Harding is a historian, broadcaster, and senior lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, specializing in the cultural and intellectual history of Japan, India, and other parts of Asia. Known for his ability to bring complex histories to life, Dr. Harding has authored acclaimed books like The Japanese: A History in Twenty Lives and regularly appears on BBC Radio 3 and 4.

Were the legends of giants merely myth, or do they echo a forgotten truth buried beneath millennia of cultural memory?

In this exclusive interview, independent scholar Willem McLoud takes us deep into the world of ancient Mesopotamia, Canaan, and the Mediterranean, uncovering the mysterious threads that connect the Hurrians, the Pelasgians, and the Nephilim of biblical lore. Drawing on over three decades of research, McLoud explores how dragon-slayer myths, giant traditions, and heroic lineages may point to real historical undercurrents and spiritual frameworks long obscured by time.

What if the ancient world preserved the memory of beings who were more than just men—offspring of gods, builders of empires, and carriers of sacred bloodlines?

Dr Willem McLoud  is an independent South African scholar whose main interests are ancient Middle Eastern studies, Kantian philosophy and philosophy of science. Willem’s main areas of study regarding the ancient Middle East are the Sumerian, Akkadian and early Egyptian civilizations, with special focus on the Uruk and Akkadian Periods in Mesopotamian history as well as the Old Kingdom Period in Egyptian history

Join Dr. Ioannis Syrigos from Ancient Origins as he interviews Eckart Frahm, Yale professor and leading expert on Assyria and Mesopotamian history. Together, they’ll uncover the mysteries of the ancient world and its impact today.

Assyria: The World’s First Empire – From its democratic origins to its dramatic fall, we’ll explore Assyria’s rise, plagues, political intrigue, and the legendary libraries of Ashurbanipal.
Bible & Babel – How Mesopotamian history shaped Biblical narratives, from the Babylonian Exile to the stories of the flood and the Tower of Babel.
The Minds of Mesopotamia – Cuneiform, scholars, scribes, and the spiritual life of an ancient civilization.
Looting & Legacy – The destruction of archaeological sites, the black market for artifacts, and the fight to preserve history.

Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation with one of the world’s foremost experts on the ancient Near East, hosted by Ancient Origins!

Eckart Frahm is the John M. Musser Professor of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations at Yale University. His research focuses on Assyrian and Babylonian history, cuneiform texts, and ancient Mesopotamian literature, religion, and politics. His latest book, Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World’s First Empire (2023), won the Nancy Lapp Popular Book Award and has been widely translated.

Frahm has authored numerous books on Assyriology, including studies on Sennacherib’s inscriptions, Babylonian and Assyrian text commentaries, and cuneiform constellations. He co-directs the NEH-funded Cuneiform Commentaries Project and holds editorial roles in major academic series and journals. At Yale, he oversees cuneiform research at the Peabody Museum and organizes the Assyriological Seminar series.

Before Yale, he taught at Heidelberg and worked with cuneiform collections worldwide. He has also contributed to archaeological excavations and training programs for Iraqi scholars. His extensive publications are available at his Yale Academia profile.

Astrology, born from Mesopotamian cosmology, has shaped spirituality, science, and culture for millennia.

Join Dr. Ioannis Syrigos of Ancient Origins as he interviews Andrew Smith, an astrologer with over 30 years of experience, in a fascinating exploration of astrology’s history —from its ancient roots through Hellenistic, Islamic, and European traditions to modern times.

Discover astrology’s role in history, from WWII psy-ops and Reagan-era politics to the Halley’s Comet of 1066 and the Flood of 1524. 

This discussion blends philosophy and fascinating stories, uncovering humanity’s enduring quest for meaning in the stars. 

Andrew Smith has been a professional astrologer since 1993, dedicating his life to the practice and teaching of astrology. Self-taught, with some formal training at the Faculty of Astrological Studies, he has worked daily with clients worldwide since 1994, serving individuals, businesses, and organizations. Based in Kilquade, Ireland, Andrew and his wife, Karen, run the Blue Rose, a global school of astrology and spirituality. Passionate about helping others live what they love, he continues to write, teach, and guide from his home office, where he lives with his family.

Find more about Andrew at this website.