Ethnocynology with David Ian Howe

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has been out for a few weeks, but how does it hold up to a panel of archaeologists and classicists?
In this episode, I’m joined by archaeologist, author, and YouTuber Raven Todd DaSilva, classicist, researcher, and PhD student Cosima Carnegie, and classicist and ancient dog expert Dr. Alyce Cannon to break down Nolan’s The Odyssey from the perspectives of archaeology, ancient history, and the original Homeric epic.
So how accurate is Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey? And more importantly: does it actually matter? Let us know!
Links:
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History of Dog course
Raven - ‪ / digitiwithraven
Cosi: / cosisodyssey
https://cosisodyssey.substack.com/
Alyce: / historydoggos
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Ethnocynology with David Ian Howe is taking a break this week, so please enjoy this episode of the Rock Art Podcast! In this episode, Alan speaks with Stephen Alvarez about his new book, Rock Art: An American Story, exploring the enduring significance of rock art across North America. They discuss Indigenous perspectives, the sacredness of rock art sites, and how ancient imagery continues to connect people with place, culture, and history. The conversation also considers the challenges of interpreting and dating rock art, and the importance of respecting and protecting these remarkable records of the past.

Transcripts

Transcript

Links

Rock Art Podcast - Episode 171

Rock Art: An American Story by Stephen Alvarez with Kate Nelson

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In this episode of Ethnocynology, I sit down with dog science communicator Alexandra the Average for a wide-ranging conversation about dogs, science, identity, and the ways our own cultural biases shape how we understand dogs themselves.

Alexandra discusses her approach to navigating misinformation in the dog and animal-welfare world, including why she relies on multiple studies rather than individual papers. But also the importance of reading beyond the abstract, and how scientific findings can become messy once they reach social media.

The conversation dives into some of the most persistent debates surrounding dogs, including pit bull stereotypes, breed and temperament, dog-bite statistics, veterinary bias, and how race and socioeconomic inequality can affect people's experiences with animal welfare and adoption.

We also explore the deeper history behind our relationships with dogs, like the use of dogs as status symbols to the effects of colonialism on Indigenous dog populations. We  discuss how dogs can become wrapped up in human identity, prejudice, politics, and even colonial violence, illustrating why the history of dogs can never really be separated from the history of people.

Alexandra also discusses her upcoming podcast, Pod Reviewed Research, which explores the human-animal connection, animal welfare, legislation, history, and culture through detailed, research-heavy conversations.

Transcripts

For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/ethnocynology/43

Links:

The racialization of pit bulls: What dogs can teach us about racial politics

Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes

Human–dog bond cross-cultural study

Once-daily feeding is associated with better health in companion dogs"

"Implicit weight bias exists among veterinary professionals,"

Visual breed identification vs. DNA.

Dog-bite fatality risk factors

Woolly Dog

“Possessions and the Extended Self,"

Bronwen Dickey, Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon

Michael Luo, Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America (2025)

CARE: Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity

Dog Aging Project

Darwin's Ark

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In this episode of the Ethnocynology, David talks with long time friend, Dr. Devin Pettigrew, the leading expert in the history and ballistics of the atlatl.

After a recent paper came out by Eren et al, claiming that Clovis hunters were only scavengers, Devin and David dive into the paper and discuss the role of hunting in human history as well as the history of the Atllatl, and how the Clovis people would’ve hunted across the North American landscape.

They also then discuss Devin’s future research and what this means for the field.

Transcripts

For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/ethnocynology/42

Links:

The History of Dogs

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In this solo episode, David shares stories from two unforgettable weeks in Wyoming—from excavating an ancient Bison antiquus at the Willow Springs archaeological site to spending a day tracking wolves in Yellowstone National Park with wildlife guide Evan Stout.

Along the way, he reflects on field archaeology, the challenges of living with permanent neuropathy after Guillain-Barré syndrome, the history of Yellowstone, wolf conservation, and why observing wild wolves offers a unique window into understanding the dogs that have shared our lives for thousands of years.

Whether you're interested in archaeology, wildlife, human evolution, or America's national parks, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at two worlds that are more connected than they might seem.

Books Mentioned

Empire of Shadows

Undaunted Courage

Eavesdropping on Animals

Rise of Wolf 8

Reign of Wolf 21

Transcripts

For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/ethnocynology/41

Links:

davidianhowe.com

Davidianhowe.com/store

History of Dog course: The History of Dogs

Yellowstone Wildlife Guide Company

The APN Awards: The APN Awards - Nominations Open!

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