Ethnocynology with David Ian Howe

In this episode, David is joined by fellow APN hosts Ashleigh Airey and Tilly Siebrecht to discuss all things Tolkien, but mainly the dogs in the Tolkien Legendarium.

The first discusses how they got into Tolkien and the Peter Jackson trilogy as kids, and how it grew into a lifelong love of the stories, and the episode quickly details from there.

Once they return from a break, the 3 hosts then get on track about the dogs of the Tolkien universe, including Huan from The Silmarillion, the wargs of Isengard, and the various wolves controlled by...

In this episode of Ethnocynology, David does a solo and audio exclusive of his recent weekend Knapping and goes over his reading list.

Dog sitting for Donny Dust, David spent the past weekend Flintknapping day and night in Donny’s shop and discusses how fun and engaging it is to craft stone tools, and discusses how it’s really interesting to rewatch the videos of yourself knapping, as you really start to notice how much you think and how an ancient homages would’ve thought when they were doing the same.

David also talks about the mo...

In this episode of Ethnocynology, David Ian Howe sits down with legendary Yellowstone wolf observer and author Rick McIntyre to discuss what decades of watching wild wolves have taught him about their complex social lives. Rick shares stories of some of Yellowstone’s most famous wolves, including Wolf 8 and Wolf 21, exploring leadership, adoption, family bonds, personality, cooperation, conflict, and even mercy.

The conversation also travels back into the Ice Age to ask what the first human hunter-gatherers may have seen in wolves and how that relationship could have eventually produced the domestic dog. Rick discusses how wolves ma...

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:<...

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<...

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...

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.

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 Ame...

In this episode of Ethnocynology, David continues his conversation with Bradley Rydholm of Nature Is Not Metal to discuss animal cognition, ecology, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Bradley shares the story behind his popular Instagram page, his work as an outdoor educator, and why he believes wild animals possess rich social lives and individual personalities that are often overlooked.

The conversation explores everything from wolves to topics like anthropomorphism, cooperation in nature, and the emotional lives of animals. David and Bradley also discuss how experiences in the wilderness can change the way people view th...

In this episode of Ethnocynology, David sits down with Bradley Rydholm of Nature Is Not Metal to discuss animal cognition, ecology, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Bradley shares the story behind his popular Instagram page, his work as an outdoor educator, and why he believes wild animals possess rich social lives and individual personalities that are often overlooked.

The conversation explores everything from wolves to topics like anthropomorphism, cooperation in nature, and the emotional lives of animals. David and Bradley also discuss how experiences in the wilderness can change the way people view themselves, ot...

In this episode of Ethnocynology, David chats with friend of the show Dr. Alyce Cannon, who is an expert in classics and dogs in the classical world.

The discussion begins with an overview of Alyce’s research an ancient Greece and how dogs appear in pottery after the great Athenian plague.

Then they begin to discuss Odysseus’s dog Argos in Home’s Odyssey: his roles, significance, and sad story. And discussed as well as whether or not he will be in the new Christopher Nolan version of the epic poem.

Towards the end of...

In this Q&A episode of Ethnocynology, David answers listener questions about dogs, archaeology, human evolution, and the ancient past. From whether Neanderthals had dogs, to why humans mourn dogs so deeply, to what ancient people may have named their dogs, this episode explores the relationship between humans and dogs across history. David also discusses archaeological misconceptions, Ice Age societies, ancient dog breeds, civilization, language, and what life may have actually looked like 20,000 years ago.

Links:

ArchPodNet

In this episode of Ethnocynology, David has a deep discussion with Anjali Ranadive.

Anjali Ranadive is a wildlife conservationist and founder of Women for Wolves, a California-based nonprofit and wolf-dog sanctuary focused on wolf conservation, rescue, education, and human–wildlife coexistence.

Based in El Dorado County, her work bridges conservation, advocacy, policy, and storytelling to protect wolves and reshape how people relate to predators and the natural world.

Anjali studied at the University of California, Berkeley, and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in wildlife conservation. She received the Paul Walker Ocean Lead...

With two new dog genetic and archaeological studies in the news, David briefly overviews his thoughts on them before he interviews the researchers in the coming Episodes. One was found in Britain, and another in Turkey, and they help fill in the gaps of previously published genetic studies.

Secondly, David discusses his newly launched The History of Dogs Course hosted by FluentPet! Check the link below to sign up for the course and to get a special APN listener discount. OR use code DAVIDDOGS at checkout. That is FLUENT.PET / DAVID The History Of Dogs (NOT fluentpet...

In this episode of Ethnocynology, David hosts a panel of guests, including Drs. Shane Miller, Spencer Pelton, Jesse Tune, and Carlton Gover, to discuss the recent Monte Verde paper by Surovell et al.

They discuss the recent paper, the synopsis, and address the many professionally published comments and critiques of the paper, as well as the conversation of the paper on the YouTube video of the previous episode.

Links:

ArchPodNet

For decades, Monte Verde in southern Chile has been one of the most famous archaeological sites in the Americas. The site was widely accepted as 14,500 years old, making it one of the strongest pieces of evidence for human presence in the Americas before Clovis.

But what if that interpretation was wrong?

In this special episode, I sit down with Dr. Todd Surovell, professor of anthropology at the University of Wyoming, to discuss new research that re-examines Monte Verde using modern geoarchaeological methods. The results suggest that the famous site may actually be much younger than...

In this episode, David sits down in Nashville with archaeologist Aaron Deter-Wolf, a leading researcher in the archaeology of tattooing and co-editor of Ancient Ink: The Archaeology of Tattooing.

They explore how tattoos function as deep cultural expressions across human societies, from Ötzi the Iceman’s 5,000-year-old tattoos to newly documented tattooed mummies in Peru. The conversation dives into experimental archaeology, ancient tattoo tools made from bone and stone, and what tattoos can reveal about identity, belief, and social structure in the past.

Together they discuss how tattoo traditions changed under empires, how archaeologists identify tat...

In this episode of Ethnocynology, David talks about his recent trip to Mexico. Initially, David went to Oaxaca to experience the local culture and take pictures of dogs, and he also spent a lot of time touring mezcal facilities and archaeological sites.

After Oaxaca, David then took a bus to Mexico City, where he gave a talk about his upcoming book at UNAM, the largest university in Latin America.

As well, David details how incredible the Museum of Anthropology is and takes you on a tour of the museum through his words, describing what he...

In this episode of Ethnocynology, David talks about the book he's writing, reflects on the recent passing of his dog and his uncle, and what those have in common. With an upcoming trip to Mexico to research dogs in ancient and classical Mexican culture, David weaves in themes of dogs as spiritual constants and symbols of death around the world, including ancient Persia and China. He also asks the audience to consider how dogs and death may go hand in hand in their own lives.

Transcripts

For a rough transcript head over to: https://www...

In this episode of ethnocynology, David gets back to dogs!

Ever wanted to hear his full manifesto on dogs, culminating nearly a decade of research? Well, here it is!

What are dogs, where do they come from, and why are they so prevalent in history, legend, and mythology?

Transcripts

For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/ethnocynology/29

Links:

ArchPodNet

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What if one of the most important technologies in human history wasn’t a spear, a stone tool, or writing, but a bone needle?

In this episode of Ethnocynology, David sits down with Dr. McKenna Litynski, an interdisciplinary anthropologist, to explore how sewing needles, clothing, and thermoregulation fundamentally reshaped human survival during the Ice Age. And helped Homo sapiens expand across the globe.

This conversation is both a deep dive into Ice Age archaeology and a clear, behind-the-scenes walkthrough of how you actually earn a PhD in anthropology, from preliminary exams to dissertation defense. This ep...

As the APN takes a break this holiday season we’re taking this opportunity to bring you episodes of shows you may not be aware of. Today we have an episode from The Archaeology Show about lost cities.

The Archaeology Show: Lost City or Lost Cause? Diving Into the Latest Atlantis Claims

In this episode of The Archaeology Show, we kick things off with a look at the recent discovery of a treasure-filled tomb belonging to the first known ruler of a Maya city in Belize, shedding light on ancient Maya leadership and ritual. In se...

Do you have your pens at the ready? It’s pop-quiz time! Since David’s away for this episode, he’s given you a refresher on why bone needles are so important! This may or may not relate to a certain episode sequel he’s been working on…

Here’s a recap of Episode 9!

In this episode of Ethnocynology, David highlights a recent paper published about a bone needle he helped excavate in the summer of 2022.

While David wasn’t an author on the paper, he was there when it was excavated, recorded the moment, an...

Please enjoy this Promo episode from the Great Plains Podcast this week!

In this episode, I sit down with Nebraska archaeologist Nolan Johnson to talk about his work uncovering and interpreting the state’s rich historic past. We begin with the Beaver Creek Trail Crossing, a site that offers a glimpse into the experiences of travelers along the overland trails and the material traces they left behind. Nolan shares the story of how the site was investigated, what artifacts reveal about life on the move, and why these places remain important today.

In the second ha...

In this episode David sits down with Zach Lindsay, a Mayanist archaeologist and board member of the Institute of Maya Studies, to explore the intersection of Mesoamerican archaeology, art, mythology, and—of course—dogs! From the monumental pyramids of Teotihuacan to the symbolic underworld journeys of ancient Maya souls, Zach brings a journalist’s curiosity and an archaeologist’s precision to one of the world’s oldest human–dog relationships.

Transcripts

For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/ethnocynology/27

Links:

ArchPodNet<...

In this third installment of the “Horse Series,” David sits down with Dr. Carlton Shield Chief Gover to explore the intersections of Indigenous oral traditions, radiocarbon dating, and the archaeology of horses across the Great Plains and the Caribbean.

Carlton shares how Pawnee oral traditions align with archaeological evidence, revealing new insights into the transitions from hunter-gatherer to agricultural societies. The conversation expands into how the reintroduction of horses revolutionized Plains warfare, movement, and culture — transforming not just how people traveled, but how they defined bravery, honor, and trade.

The episode then dives underwater — literally — as Carlton...

Remembering Jane Goodall with Primatologist Carson Black

In this deeply heartfelt episode, David speaks with Primatologist, Biological Anthropologist, and Conservationist, Carson Black, who has spent her academic career studying chimpanzees in Senegal and howler monkeys in Costa Rica.

Together, they reflect on the life and legacy of Jane Goodall, the “living Darwin of the modern era,” and how her groundbreaking work continues to shape the way we understand both chimpanzees and ourselves.

Carson shares vivid stories from the field—bucket showers under the Milky Way, mischievous chimps throwing rocks, and the humbling power of see...

In this episode of Ethnocynology with David Ian Howe, I sit down with my good friend and former graduate school cohort member Cassidee Thornhill, Collections Manager at the University of Wyoming Archaeological Repository.

Cassidee’s research dives into the early contact era in Wyoming, focusing on the arrival and spread of horses before and during European colonization. We discuss her fascinating thesis work on the Black’s Fork River site, where a young foal was found buried alongside three coyote skulls—an extraordinary archaeological discovery that sheds light on early human–horse relationships on the Plains.

Topics...

In this episode of Ethnocynology, host David Ian Howe sits down with archaeologist and anthropologist Dr. William Taylor (University of Colorado Boulder), author of Hoofbeats: How Horses Shaped Human History.

While this show usually focuses on dogs, today we shift to the other animal that transformed humanity: the horse. Dr. Taylor walks us through the evolutionary history of horses, their domestication on the Eurasian steppe, and their reintroduction to the Americas after the Ice Age. Together we explore how humans first interacted with horses—as prey, symbols in cave art, sources of milk and meat, and eventually as...

In this episode of Ethnocynology, host David Ian Howe sits down with friend and creator North02 to dive into one of North America’s most fascinating and overlooked archaeological stories—the Old Copper Culture.

Together, they explore how Native communities in the Great Lakes region began shaping some of the world’s earliest metal tools and weapons, thousands of years before metallurgy took hold in Europe. From massive copper swords and fishing hooks to spear throwers and intricate ornaments, this culture reveals a technological world far beyond the usual “stone tool” narrative.

We discuss:

On this episode of A Life in Ruins Podcast, David and Connor talk to Dr. Angela Perri about her lengthy CV and her academic/professional career. Dr. Perri is currently the top researcher in the world in terms of understanding the relationship between humans and dogs in the ancient world. So clearly, David's ears perked up.

As usual, we first dive into Angela's early life and career in anthropology, and talk about her interesting transition from a Las Vegas bartender and Oregonian undergrad, to being a PhD student in the UK.

We then discuss her...

An Anthro Chat With Stefan Milo.

In this episode of ethnic psychology, David sits down with good friend Stefan Milo, archaeologist, YouTuber, and overall outstanding chap.

David and Steve catch up on recent anthropology news and discussed the recent archaeological findings at White Sands national Park, as well as the recent genetic findings surrounding Dragon Man, the Denisovans, and the peopling of the Americas.

David and Stefan also discuss the growing concern among content creators regarding automated intelligence and whether or not the recent advancements with AI video generation will put people like...

On this episode of A Life In Ruins podcast, David interviews his former advisor Dr. Todd Surovell. Todd served as an advisor to David and was a committee member for David and Connor‘s MA theses.

David begins interviewing Todd about what archaeology means to him, and a discussion of his early life. The conversation later turns into how Todd found his way into anthropology, and his work in graduate school.

And in the third segment, Todd and David discuss Clovis archaeology, Clovis and Folsom culture, and megafaunal extinctions. Todd also discusses what it means to...

In this episode of ethnic psychology, David sits down with a friend of the pod, Artur Hulu. But you may know him by his Instagram pseudonym Gaius Flavius.

Arthur is a prolific memes it is pretty tapped into the cultural Zeitgeist of the Internet. Well, most of his memes have to do with ancient Rome and classical history, they are successful because he understands the complex history of memes and modern internet culture.

David and Arthur discuss different memes that have done well, their strategies for posting, and why this is important for science and...

In this episode of Ethnocynology with David and Howe, David sits down with good friend Jonny Devaney! Jonny recently got back from an extended trip to Italy with his family, where he went to Pompeii, Naples, Venice, Rome, and got to see a mass run by the new Pope Leo.

They first start by catching up with each other and then quickly get into the trip.

Jonny spent the most time in Rome and Naples, but also got to see lots of Venice and was given a personal tour of Pompeii by an archaeologist.

In this episode, David answers questions he received from a Q&A on Instagram. While some are archaeological, most are on dogs. The questions range from dogs in the Americas, to dog burials in Europe, why are some wolves black? Why are there so many arrowheads in Wyoming? And were dogs really eaten?

David answers these questions, and does his usual rant and tirades in between questions about current anthropology, the Colombian exchange, and people that annoy him on Instagram.

Transcripts

In this episode, David finally discusses the 2018 film “Alpha.” Alpha is a movie that takes place 20,000 years ago in France, in which a boy is separated from his hunting party, and has to survive on his own to get home. That is until he meets a wolf, and the two of them then have to survive together to make it home. It is a story of survival, but also the first domestic dog.

David reviews the movie scene by scene and adds anthropological context and discusses the accuracies and inaccuracies using examples from real archeology.

Tran...

In this episode, David reads some selected short stories and posts from his Instagram that helped build his account.  If you've been following him for a while, you'll recognize some of these posts, and more importantly you'll recognize the illustrations done by Ettore Mazza.

Many of these posts have to do with dogs, wolves, and anthropology but the final one has to do with tattoos and the Lord of the Rings.

David stresses that these posts were originally a lot longer pieces of work, but had to be cut down to only 2,200 characters to fit w...

In this episode of Ethnocynology, David chats with friend, colleague, and former A Life in Ruins host, Dr. Carlton Shield Chief Gover.

David and Carlton do a brief catch up before diving right into the recent paper released by Colossal Biosciences and a team of researchers regarding newly researched direwolf genetics.

David and Carlton discuss the ethics of release the un-peer reviewed paper only after the huge media push, as well as Carlton gives a an analysis of the statistics in the paper.

Links:

davidianhowe.com

Davidianhowe.com/store<...

In this episode, David talks about the recent news about the direwolves that were “brought back from extinction.” However, as he explains, no direwolves were brought back from extinction, and it seems the company is intentionally lying to the public for one reason or the other. David talks biology, speciation taxonomy, and why it seems the public is being duped.

Links:

davidianhowe.com

Davidianhowe.com/store

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