Ergot and the Salem Witchtrials

Discussion of things literally or figuratively unearthed in the last quarter of 2025 continues. It begins with potpourri then covers tools, Neanderthals, edibles and potables, art, shipwrecks, medical finds, and repatriations. Research: Abdallah, Hanna. “Famous Easter Island stat ...  Show more

The show's coverage of things literally or figuratively unearthed in the last quarter of 2025 begins with updates, books and letters, animals, and just one exhumation. Research: Abdallah, Hanna. “Famous Easter Island statues were created without centralized management.” PLOS. Via ...  Show more

People were executed as witches in Salem in the 1690s, but no one was burned at the stake. Learn what really happened in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/witches-burned-at-stake-in-salem.htm Learn more about your ...  Show more

Modern day researchers are still trying to explain what happened in 17th century Salem. Many have blamed the event on mass hysteria, but one doctor points to an outbreak of a fungus called ergot — the same organism used to create LSD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca ...  Show more

While the events of the Salem witch trials began within the borders of the Salem village community, many of the forces that drove it forward were external. As we're about to see, Salem was full of more than stories about witchcraft—and those external threats were about to come ho ...  Show more

Join Ben and Matt as they interview Aaron Mahnke, the creator of the world-famous Lore podcast, about Unobscured, the new series where he dives deep into the true story of the Salem witch trials. How many people were tried? How many actually died? What does Hollywood get wrong ...