Best Thomas Preston Floyd Podcasts (2025)

1
Neolithic Cultures of Inner Mongolia and the Liao River 32:57

3d ago32:57

32:57

This week we conclude our overview of neolithic cultures in China between 6000 and 4000 BC. To do this we discuss the Xinglongwa, Xinle, and Zhaobaogou cultures. We discuss their discoveries and what made each of them unique as well as what similarities they shared, or didn't share. Twitter/X: https://x.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/Br9…

1
Neolithic Cultures of the Lower Yellow River 29:12

10d ago29:12

29:12

This week we cover the emerging neolithic cultures of the lower Yellow River between the years 6000-4000 BC. This includes the Houji, Beixin, and Dawenkou. We go over their lifestyles and food production methods, pottery, and how they evolved over time. We also talk about their suspected relations to each other as well as other neighboring cultures…

1
The Start of the Yangshao 40:17

17d ago40:17

40:17

This week's episode focuses on the origins of the Yangshao culture. We go over its discovery in the 1920s and early theories it gave rise too. How those changed over time after the discovery of its earliest period, the Banpo phase and its type site. We talk about their homes, pottery, crafts, burial practices, social organization, lifestyles, and t…

1
Neolithic Cultures of the Upper Yellow River 43:40

24d ago43:40

43:40

This week I go over some information I found regarding potential matriarchy mentioned last week and I also talk about modern examples of more matriarchal societies in modern China. Of course our main focus is on the neolithic cultures that emerged along the upper yellow river between 6000-4000 BC(E), the Laoguantai, Dadiwan, and Bajia cultures. Twi…

1
Neolithic Cultures of the Middle Yellow River 35:43

1M ago35:43

35:43

This week we cover the neolithic cultures of the Peiligang, Cisha, and Jiahu. Or do we? Part of this week's episode deals with some debates about how closely related these neolithic culture are related to each other. We of course still talk about lifestyles of these sites, their pottery, economies, and burial practices. We also set the stage for ne…

1
Neolithic Cultures of the Yangtze Delta 34:49

1M ago34:49

34:49

This week's episode week we talk about the emerging neolithic cultures of the Yangtze Delta. This includes the Kuahuqiao, Hemudu, and Majiabang. We discuss the expanding roll of rice agriculture during this period for the various sites. but also the continued reliance on wild sources of food. We also discuss some the differences in their pottery as…

1
The Pengtoushan and Daxi cultures 28:58

2M ago28:58

28:58

This week we talk about two neolithic cultures that existed in the western portion of the Yangtze River system, the Pengtoushan and Daxi cultures. The Pengtoushan culture ends a few hundred years after the start of this season, but we discuss their last (or next to last) site of Bashidang. As well as their burial practices, architecture, pottery, a…

1
Setting the Stage for China's Neolithic Expansion 37:11

2M ago37:11

37:11

This week we go over several broad topics that are related to neolithic China. This includes the etymology of the two main rivers, the Yangtze and the Yellow, along which various neolithic cultures emerge. The potential langue spoken and spread by one or more of these cultures, and the broad genetic background of the people who will found the neoli…

1
The start of Neolithic Taiwan and the Austronesian People 31:09

2M ago31:09

31:09

This week's episode sees us discuss the island of Taiwan, and the people living on it. We go over the theory of how over the next few seasons they will spread off the island and spread the Austronesian language and their influence over a number of other regions and people. We also talk about the etymology of the island as well as different names gi…

1
In the Mountains and Hills 30:22

2M ago30:22

30:22

This week's episode talks about genetics and linguistics in Southern China and the border regions of northern South East Asia, We al briefly discuss the climate and geography of the Guilin and Guangxi provinces , and we talk about the final abandonment of the Zengpiyan site as well the spread of rice agriculture south from the Yangtze River. Twitte…

1
New Cultures and the Spread of Agriculture 30:58

2M ago30:58

30:58

This week we conclude our study of South East Asia between 6000-4000 BC(E). In it we discuss the sites and material cultures of Quỳnh Văn and Đa Bút. We also go over the spread of agriculture into other parts of the region toward the end of the season as well as a talk about the current understanding of the genetic relationship between the Andamane…

1
Neolithic South East Asia 33:16

3M ago33:16

33:16

Take 2! After an Audacity crash caused me to lose my first recording I was able to rerecord, and while I think this is much rougher we were still able to go over some highlights of this period of Neolithic South East Asia in general like the spread of agriculture and the domestication of pig and chickens.. I also focused on some specific sites in w…

1
Agriculture from the East? 31:53

3M ago31:53

31:53

This week I go over some agricultural developments. One about millet domestication I forgot to cover in an earlier episode. The other is about rice domestication and the possibility of local strains being domesticated prior to the introduction of other strains from the East. We also discuss potential animal domestication events. Finally we discuss …

1
The Ganges and Brahmaputra 30:43

3M ago30:43

30:43

This week's episode deals with some etymology of the two eponymous rivers. The climate of the regions their systems run through and how that has affected archeology of this region during this period. We also give a very brief overview of the populations living in what is now Nepal and Bhutan. Twitter/X: https://x.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://yo…

1
Isolated Tongues 32:09

3M ago32:09

32:09

This week I talk about some of the most mysterious and probably oldest isolated languages in the Indian subcontinent in the regions we've gone over so far this season. If they existed during this season's time frame and if so where. We also talk about the Vedda people of Sri Lanka Twitter/X: https://x.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/z36xq…

1
Between the Mesolithic and Neolithic 30:42

4M ago30:42

30:42

This week we start talking about Southern India and Sri Lanka for this season. We discuss how the sea level is affecting the connection between the two regions as well as possible agricultural and pastoral developments in the region. We also talk about potential language and ritual developments. Twitter/X: https://x.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https:/…

1
The Neolithic Indus 27:31

4M ago27:31

27:31

This week we talk about the similarities between the sties we discussed last week and the numerous villages and sites emerging along the Indus River Valley. We also talk about some of those sites and how they were beginning to develop their own material identity. Twitter/X: https://x.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/gJNzQb7jfx4…

1
Mehrgarh III and Neolithic Balochistan 34:26

4M ago34:26

34:26

This week we finish Mehrgarh up for this season by discussing the first half of Phase III and enter the chalcolithic phase for the site. We also discuss two material cultures that emerged from the neolithic expansion happening in Balochistan, Kili Gul Mohammad and Togau. Twitter/X: https://x.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/E8Tqk_KIX1E…

1
Developments at Mehrgarh 25:51

4M ago25:51

25:51

This week I am following up to some questions about the Eurasian Steppe. Before we moved on to talk about the end of the first phase of Mehrgarh, a site we first discussed last season. We move into the second stage and appearance of pottery as well as the wide range of new production techniques developed during the period. We also go over changes t…

1
Central Asian Neolithic and the Kelteminar 29:21

5M ago29:21

29:21

This week we talk about the continued spread of the Neolithic life styles along the various river valleys around portions of Central Asia. We also discuss the more traditional Kelteminar culture of the Caspian and Aral Sea. As well as some theories surrounding their spread. Twitter/X: https://x.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/HH9Zm2eKg1M…

1
The Settlements of the Central Iranian Plateau and the Zayanderud 23:25

5M ago23:25

23:25

This week we talk about the Central Persian or Iranian Plateau and the possibility of a missing or undiscovered material culture in the region possibly centered in or around the Zayandeh River. We also focus on the site of Tepe Sialk Twitter/X: https://x.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/AYjdTtXf2_0…

1
The Dalma, the Jeitun, and the start of the Anau 37:09

5M ago37:09

37:09

Happy New Year! We start off 2025 by talking about the Dalma culture and its spread from the banks of Lake Urmia. We discuss their pottery, mixed life ways, their settlements, and their trade. We also cover the end of the final part of the Jeitun culture. The spread of their sites and speculate on their influence and trade with their neighbors. Fin…

1
Chogha Mish and the Susian Culture 27:59

5M ago27:59

27:59

This week we talk about the Susian culture and its start at the start at the site of Chogha Mish. The devastation it faced in the early 5th millennium and it's continuation after this near disaster. We also talk about the expansion of copper artefacts and tools the is happening all along the Iranian Plateau but particularly in Susa itself. Also Mer…

1
The Caspian Neolithic and Zagros Mountain Cultures 29:26

6M ago29:26

29:26

This week we talk about the shift in the life style of the peoples living along the Caspian Sea and in the Zagros Mountains. How they differed from each other and their Southern Caucasus cousins. We also talk about their closest neighbors and their trade relations. Twitter: https://x.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/eY-Rh57wp3c…

1
The Neolithic Caucasus and the Shulaveri–Shomu culture 37:33

6M ago37:33

37:33

This week we're back to more historical and archeological information. We're going over the arrival of agriculture and people who made the foundations of the Shulaveri-Shomu culture. That culture's characteristics advancements and its eventual decline. YouTube: https://youtu.be/pQ5Phf11zZw Twitter/X: https://x.com/WarAdRevPod…

1
Back from Vacation with some Etymology 48:09

6M ago48:09

48:09

I am back after a couple of weeks off! Today I'm easing myself back into the swing of things by going over some etymology of the mountains and rivers in the areas we will be talking about the next couple of episode and some small facts about each of them. Join me as we talk about the Caucasus and Zagros mountains as well as some smaller neighboring…

1
Eridu Genesis and Debate between Summer and Winter 58:02

7M ago58:02

58:02

In our final episode on Sumerian mythology this season we cover the tablets containing the Eridu Genesis and the Debate between Summer and Winter. The Genesis covers the creation of cities, kingship, the gods plan to wipe out humanity, and their survival thanks to the sage king Ziusudra thanks to the intervention of Enki. We also cover the birth of…

1
The Sumerian King List Before the Flood 39:11

7M ago39:11

39:11

This week we go over some points from last week that I wanted to make and then we move onto the Sumerian King List. What it says about history up to the flood and just after and how much it can be trusted. Twitter/X: https://x.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/vV3a16TJ7tg

1
The Top of the Sumerian Pantheon 38:04

7M ago38:04

38:04

This week we go over the state and origin of most of our Sumerian religious and mythological sources. We then go over the most important gods of the Sumerian pantheon, their roles, domains, their relations to each other, and their primary cities and temples. Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/BpF9EP33An0…

1
Ubaid Follow Up and Uruk and Sumerian Origins 44:36

8M ago44:36

44:36

This week I go into more detail on some Ubiad points I went over last week. Including statuary, linguistics, and warfare. I also talk about some more potential advancements they potentially made when it came to wool and fishing. Twitter/X: https://x.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/xKIHp2wOI5I…

1
The Ubaid Period 44:10

8M ago44:10

44:10

This week we talk about the Ubaid culture of southern Mesopotamia. Beginning with their discovery and then going over their evolution from simple settlements of reed huts to early cities of up to 5000 people and spread out of the south to cover areas that belonged to the cultures that we discussed the last few weeks. Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/…

1
The Roots of Mesopotamian Civilization: Hassuna and Samarra 39:33

8M ago39:33

39:33

This week we talk about two material cultures that emerge in the Tigris River Valley, the Hassuna and Samarra. We go over what made them unique and what they have in common and the areas they overlapped with each other and the Halaf. Twitter/X: https://x.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/tKrS1xrUElE…

1
The Halaf Culture 37:03

8M ago37:03

37:03

This week we give an overview of the Halaf culture that established itself in the upper Tigris River Valley and spread to occupy land to it's West, North, and Southeast. Not to mention spreading it's material culture well outside of these bounds. We go over what we believe made the Halaf the Halaf, their pottery, statuary, agriculture, and architec…

1
Ugarit and Adana 31:15

9M ago31:15

31:15

This week sees us finish our overview of the northern Levantine coast by talking about the foundations of Ugarit and Adana, the mystery of who founded them, and the differences between them. We also talk about a couple of smaller sites in the border regions between the two. Twitter: https://x.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/mommI-xQlOg…

1
Geography of the Northern Levant and Cilicia 33:31

9M ago33:31

33:31

This week's episode is focused on the geography and some etymology of the regions we talked about in our central Levant episode and the places we will be discussing for the next week or two. I had some questions come in about several of the places and I though this might be a good time to slow down a bit and talk about it. Next week's episode we se…

1
Ceramic Cyprus 27:20

9M ago27:20

27:20

This week we talk about the end of the Aceramic period on Cyprus and the apparent disappearance of the people and culture of that period, the Khirokitia. Then we turn to the arrival of the Sotira people and the arrival of the pottery before they to contract and set the stage for the arrival of the Cacholithic age and people. Twitter/X: https://x.co…

1
The Central Levant 27:19

9M ago27:19

27:19

This week we talk about the central Levant and why they were able to more quickly urbanize and the early sites of Byblos and Beirut. We also discuss Damascus, the Beqaa Valley, and Qarqar. As well as who the people inhabiting the sites may have been. Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/KfmKH9iptBM…

1
Cultures of the Southern Levant 37:01

10M ago37:01

37:01

This week we cover the "end" of the Yarmukian Culter, and the emergence of neighboring cultures to it's south and in some of it's old sites. This includes the Lodian, Nizzanim, and Wadi Rabah. We also talk about the arrival of the chalcolithic age in the levant with the Wadi Rabah and Ghassulian. We also talk about some etymology briefly. Twitter/X…

1
Departures, Arrivals, and Changes in the Levant 38:31

10M ago38:31

38:31

This week we move into the Levant to recap and talk about changes happening at Jericho (Tell Es Sultan) this season. We also talk about the spread of pottery and the invention of the earliest (or second earliest) pottery wheel. We also talk about the Western Semitic Languages and the contacts between the region, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. Twitter/X: h…

1
Mustatils 34:16

10M ago34:16

34:16

This week I had planned to start covering the eastern Mediterranean coast and the Levant, but I remembered I had one important aspect left to discuss about life in Arabia for this season. The structures known as Mustatils. We talk about their numbers, construction, and what they may have been used for. I also had some viewer feedback to go over. X/…

1
The Arabian Neolithic 36:53

10M ago36:53

36:53

This week we move into Asia. The first stop for the continent this season is the Arabian Peninsula. We cover the expansion of the Semitic branch of the Afroasiatic language family into this region as well as the etymology associated with that naming convention. We talk about links between Eastern Arabia and southern Mesopotamia and what products dr…

1
Northern Africa West of the Nile 40:13

11M ago40:13

40:13

This week we finish up our coverage of Africa. We go over a couple of points about Set I forgot to mention. I go into some etymology of places and peoples. I talk about the importance of oases as the Sahara desert expanded. I also go over the proto-Amazigh people and the cultures they're associated with that existed during this season's time line 6…

1
God of Order and the Gods of the Order 40:58

11M ago40:58

40:58

This week we're back and continuing to talk about Egyptian Mythology. A little earlier than theses versions of the myths may have existed during this season's time frame as there are some elements of society that we don't have a record of existing just yet, but the ideas of a cosmic order affecting the lives of humans and leadership struggles betwe…

1
The Creations of the Egyptian Gods 35:33

11M ago35:33

35:33

This week we dive into ancient Egyptian creation myths... or some of them. The gods that were mentioned in these and the concept of natural order Ma'at. Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/CruwFshiDIk

1
The Red Land and New Cultures 42:32

12M ago42:32

42:32

This week we talk about the eastern desert and the goods that are starting to be sourced from the area. We also talk about the culture doing the sourcing as well as a couple of other cultures emerging between 6000-4000 BC(E) Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/K8pi3MRq0rY…

1
Nubia and The Foundations of Kush 41:25

12M ago41:25

41:25

This week we jump ahead to talk about terminology used by the Egyptians about the regions and peoples to their south. We also talk about the site that will become the city of Kerma and the beginning of the Kingdom of Kush. We also check back in with the site of Nabta Playa and it's potential ties to Egyptian, Kushite, and other Nubian cultures. Twi…

1
The Highlands and the Sea 35:32

12M ago35:32

35:32

This week we talk about the Cushitic branch of Afroasiatic languages and the peoples of the Horn of Africa as well as their proto states and interactions with Egypt and Arabia. Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/WarAdRevPod YouTube: https://youtu.be/nDuDvnf5F2o

1
The White Nile, African Great Lakes, and the Omo 31:52

1y ago31:52

31:52

This week we discuss the Eburran culture and it's interaction with a pastoralist groups coming into African Great Lakes Region from the Nile and Horn of Africa. We also discuss said pastoralists and who their modern descendants may be. We also start covering peoples living in the Horn itself. Specifically the Omotic speaker's ancestors. YouTube: ht…

1
Lake Chad 26:16

1y ago26:16

26:16

This week we talk about the importance of Lake Chad. The origin of that name. The arrival of pastoralism and the importance of fishing in the region. We discuss the establishment of small scale trade that will eventually grow much larger. We also discuss the interaction between the various ethnolinguistic groups living in and around the region. Twi…

1
Lake Chad and The Headwaters Of the Nile 31:49

1y ago31:49

31:49

This week we move to the peoples living around Lake Chad, the eastern Sahel, the southern Nile, and its tributaries between 6000-4000 BC(E) and the expansion of pastoralism and agriculture. We also go over the idea of a macro Nilo-Saharan language and some of the pushback and criticism that got. We talk about the etymology of the Nile and Chari riv…

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