The End of Time: The Maya Mystery of 2012

March 20, 2012
Anthony Aveni is the Russell B. Colgate Professor of Astronomy and Anthropology serving appointments in both Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Sociology and Anthology at Colgate University. He is the author of several books, including his latest The End of Time: The Maya Mystery of 2012.

Audio Podcast (12MB, 1 hr 8min 27sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Palenque: The Art and History of an Ancient Maya Royal Court

February 28, 2012
David Stuart is the Linda and David Schele Professor of Mesoamerican Art and Writing at the University of Texas at Austin. He has conducted field research at archaeological sites in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras, and remains actively engaged in several large-scale excavation projects in the Maya area.

Audio Podcast (12MB, 1 hr 8min 27sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Chocolate: The Bitter Truth

February 24, 2012
Carol Off, author of Bitter Chocolate: Investigating the Dark Side of the World's Most Seductive Sweet, exposes the reality of the chocolate industry.

Audio Podcast (9MB, 55min 05sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Reconsidering Ideas About Early Maya Political Organization

January 31, 2012
Helen R. Haines is a Research Associate at the Archaeological Research Centre and teaches with the Department of Anthropology at Trent University and the University of Toronto.

Audio Podcast (9MB, 55min 05sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

History Wars: Tommy Douglas Put Canada's Healthcare on the Wrong Path

January 25, 2012
Did Tommy Douglas put Canada's Healthcare on the wrong path? Canadian historian and award-winning author Michael Bliss and Greg Marchildon, CEO of the Romanow Royal Commission on Health Care, take the gloves off.

Audio Podcast (9MB, 55min 05sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

What Not to Believe About the Ancient Maya

November 22, 2011
Elizabeth Graham is a Professor at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London, and an Adjunct Research Professor in Anthology at the University of Western Ontario.

Audio Podcast (8MB, 45min 18sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

The Rise and Fall of the Sacred Rulers of the Maya World

November 15, 2011
Justin Jennings is Associate Curator of New World Archaeology at the ROM and lead curator of the exhibition Maya: Secrets of their Ancient World (open until April 9, 2012).

Audio Podcast (8MB, 47min 28sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

History Wars: Power Corrupts Canadian Prime Ministers

October 25, 2011
Are our Canadian Prime Ministers corrupted by power? Sheila Copps, one of Canada's most recognized politicians, and Andre Coyne, national editor of Maclean's magazine, take the gloves off for this lively debate.

Audio Podcast (14MB, 84min 7sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Extraordinary Canadians: Tommy Douglas, Maurice Richard, Wilfrid Laurier and Glenn Gould

April 14, 2011
Bestselling authors Vincent Lam, Charles Foran, Andre Pratte and Mark Kingwell in a lively moderated conversation, discussing their new biographies of Tommy Douglas, Maurice Richard, Wilfrid Laurier and Glenn Gould.

The opinions expressed in this lecture are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

Audio Podcast (7MB, 64min 28sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Downstream: The Oil Sands Industry and The Athabasca River

April 13, 2011
D.W. Schindler discusses the controversy over the links between pollution from the oil sands industry with cancer deaths in fort Chipewyan on the Athabasca River in Alberta, what action has been taken, and what issues need to be addressed by future monitoring in order to develop the oil sands without jeopardizing the river or people downstream.

The opinions expressed in this lecture are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

Audio Podcast (6MB, 52min 10sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Being Different: Autism with John Elder Robison

April 11, 2011
John Elder Robison is one of the most visible advocates for people living with Asperger's syndrome. He grew up with Asperger's at a time when the diagnosis didn't exist, and with no inkling of how to pass for normal. Robison overcame enormous odds to lead a fulfilling life - from an anti-social child to a successful father who has now raised an Aspergian son.

The opinions expressed in this lecture are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

Audio Podcast (5MB, 47min 12sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

The Blue Legacy: An Evening with Alexandra Cousteau

March 22, 2011
Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of the legendary Jacques Cousteau speaks about her family's mission to raise understanding and awareness of the importance of water in all its forms.

The opinions expressed in this lecture are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

Audio Podcast (38MB, 52min 41sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

History Wars: Pierre Trudeau was a Disaster for Canada

March 22, 2011
One of the most loved and loathed Prime Ministers of Canada, Pierre Trudeau's influence continues to be felt today. Moderated by J.L. Granatstein, Canadian personalities David Frum and John English argue the nature of Trudeau's legacy in the third History Wars debate.

The opinions expressed in this lecture are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

Audio Podcast (38MB, 52min 41sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

The Blue Covenant

March 03, 2011
Is access to clean drinking water a basic human right? Moderated by Mark Kingwell, panelists Maude Barlow, National Chairperson, The Council of Canadians; Bruce Pardy, Professor of Environmental Law, Queen's University; and Dr. Zafar Adeel, Director, United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health discuss this important discuss this important question. Presented as part of Water: The Forum.

The opinions expressed in this lecture are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

Audio Podcast (30MB, 49min 41sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

History Wars: Multiculturalism has put Canada on the Wrong Course

February 22, 2011
The second of four lively debates on Canada's History. J.L. Granatstein and Haroon Siddiqui debate the influence of multicultrualism on Canada. Moderated by Michael Bliss.

The opinions expressed in this lecture are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

Audio Podcast (15MB, 72min 41sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

El Anatsui: Exhibition Overview (Part 2)

February 24, 2011
The final segment of Lilanne Lortie's ASL tour of the Institute of Contemporary Culture's exhibition, El Anatusui: When I Last Wrote to You About Africa features Akua's Surviving Children, a sculptural installation crafted from driftwood.

Video contains no sound.

Video Podcast (15MB, 2min 41sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

El Anatsui: Exhibition Overview (Part 1)

February 24, 2011
The first segment of Lilanne Lortie's ASL tour of the Institute of Contemporary Culture's exhibition, El Anatusui: When I Last Wrote to You About Africa examines the technique and design behind the artist's large tapestries.

Video contains no sound.

Video Podcast (15MB, 2min 41sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

History Wars: Is the Monarchy a Dangerous Relic of the Past?

January 11, 2011
The first of four lively debates on Canada's History. Michael Bliss and John Fraser argue the relevance of the monarchy to Canada today. Moderated by J.L. Granatstein.

The opinions expressed in this lecture are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

Audio Podcast (66MB, 59min 41sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Eva Holtby Lecture: Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

November 8, 2010
Acclaimed literary critic Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr., this year's distinguished speaker, presents The Image of the African in Western Art. Dr. Gates is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and the Director of the W. E. B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University and now the host of the PBS television mini-series African American Lives.

The opinions expressed in this lecture are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

Audio Podcast (57MB, 59min 41sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Return of the Mummy

October 28, 2010
After years in storage at the University of Toronto, a mummy from the ROM's Egyptian collection returns to the Museum. Gayle Gibson, ROM Educator and Egyptologist, introduces us to this young mummy and describes what we can learn about her life.

Video Podcast (13MB, 2min 46sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Before the Empire: New Light from Early Qin Archaeology

September 21, 2010
Li Feng is Associate Professor of Early Chinese History and Archaeology, Department of East Asian Languages and Culltures at Columbia University. He discusses what archaeology has revealed about China before the rise of the First Emperor's empire.

The opinions expressed in this lecture are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

Audio Podcast (49MB, 52min 46sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Newest Sources of Early Chinese History: Inscribed Bronze Vessels Recently Discovered

September 21, 2010
Edward L. Shaughnessy, Lorraine J. and Herrlee G. Creel Distinguished Service Professor of Early China in the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at University of Chicago, discusses what recently discovered inscribed bronze vessels have revealed about Early Chinese History.

The opinions expressed in this lecture are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

Audio Podcast (19MB, 41min 29sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

The Palampore

September 07, 2010
The Palampore hangs in the Sir Christopher Ondaatje South Asian Gallery at the Royal Ontario Museum. Before installation in the gallery, this artifact was the focus of a conservation project lead by Shirley Ellis, Senior Textile Conservator at the ROM.

Video Podcast (31MB, 5min 29sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

South African Dinosaur Eggs and Babies

September 07, 2010
The discovery of a partial clutch of Massospondylus dinosaur eggs in South Africa helped ROM Palaeotologist, Dr. David Evans, and a team of researchers at the University of Toronto trace the growth from a tiny egg to a 20-foot-long adult. The rare 190 million year old fossils are on display at the ROM until September 12, 2010.

Video Podcast (16MB, 2min 45sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Law and War in the Making of the Chinese Empire

July 06, 2010
China's terracotta army is internationally recognized, but the discovery of the legal documents of the Qin state is known only to specialists. Robin D. S. Yates, James McGill Professor of History and East Asian Studies at McGill University, explores what these important documents tell us about the administrative, organizational and legal advances at the time of the First Emperor.

The opinions expressed in this lecture are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

Audio Podcast (52MB, 57min 37sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Iconic: Earl of Pembroke's Armour

January 11, 2010
Made in King Henry VIII's royal workshop, this suit of armour is one of only three of its kind on display in the world. One of the ROM's iconic objects, see the suit in the Samuel European Galleries.

Video Podcast (15MB, 2min 37sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Conversations: Dr. Chen Shen

July 14, 2010
Dr. Chen Shen is the Bishop White Chair of East Asian Archaeology at the ROM, and is the senior curator who developed the exhibition The Warrior Emperor and China's Terracotta Army.

This exciting series offers a behind the scenes look at the various curatorial research, education, and programming that is currently happening around the Museum.

Video Podcast (22MB, 2min 23sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Building Up and Digging Down: New Archaeological Evidence for Construction of the Tomb Complex of the First Emperor

June 24, 2010
Explore the construction of the First Emperor's vast tomb complex and how recent discoveries have changed our understanding its construction. Dr. Chen Shen, Senior Curator and Bishop White Chair, East Asia Art & Archaeology and curator of The Warrior Emperor and China's Terracotta Army, is the first speaker in The Enduring Genius of China Lecture Series.

Audio Podcast (40MB, 58min 11sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Palaeontologists solve mystery of 500 million-year-old squid-like carnivore

May 26, 2010
A study by Martin Smith of the University of Toronto and Jean-Bernard Caron of the Royal Ontario Museum sheds new light on a previously unclassifiable 500 million-year-old squid-like carnivore known as Nectocaris pteryx. The new interpretation became possible with the discovery of 91 new fossils that were collected from the Burgess Shale site in the UNESCO World Heritage Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, BC.

The findings are presented in "Primitive soft-bodied cephalopods from the Cambrian", published in Nature(May 27, 2010).

> Jean-Bernard Caron
> Burgess Shale Projects

Video Podcast (17MB, 3min 11sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Isadore Sharp: Motel to Mogul

May 18, 2010
Isadore Sharp, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, spoke at the Royal Ontario Museum on May 18 as the first in the Director's Signature Lecture Series. Listen as he shares his thoughts on leadership, success and accomplishment. Introduction by William Thorsell, Director and CEO of the ROM.

Audio Podcast (28MB, 24min 24sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Robert Mankoff: The Ethos and Ethics of The New Yorker Cartoons

April 13, 2010
Listen as Robert Mankoff, the cartoon editor of The New Yorker, discusses how the Magazine deals with topical issues in its cartoons compared to newspaper editorial cartoonists. The evening was moderated by The Globe and Mail's Margaret Wente.

Audio Podcast (40MB, 57min 55sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Conversations with Archaeologists and Researchers: Dr. Eileen Schuller

May 07, 2010
Dr. Eileen Schuller, scholar and professor at McMaster University, talks about her personal journey as a Dead Sea Scrolls researcher and the opportunities she has had along the way.

This unique video series, Conversations with Archaelogists and Researchers, explores the careers and experiences of five individuals associated with with the Royal Ontario Museum.

Video Podcast (7MB, 2min 13sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Conversations with Archaeologists and Researchers: Dr. Peter Storck

May 07, 2010
Dr. Peter Storck, ROM Archaeologist and author of Journey to the Ice Age, discusses his contributions to the study of Paleo-Indians, the first people to migrate into Ontario.

This unique video series, Conversations with Archaelogists and Researchers, explores the careers and experiences of five individuals associated with with the Royal Ontario Museum.

Video Podcast (10MB, 2min 45sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Conversations with Archaeologists and Researchers: Roberta Shaw

May 07, 2010
Roberta Shaw, Assistant Curator of Egyptology at the Royal Ontario Museum, talks about how she got into Egyptology, projects she has completed in her career, and her favourite object at the ROM.

This unique video series, Conversations with Archaelogists and Researchers, explores the careers and experiences of five individuals associated with with the Royal Ontario Museum.

Video Podcast (9MB, 2min 10sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Conversations with Archaeologists and Researchers: Dan Rahimi

May 07, 2010
Dan Rahimi, Vice President of Gallery Development at the Royal Ontario Museum and archaeologist, talks about his archaeological career and what he believes to be the focus of archaeology.

This unique video series, Conversations with Archaelogists and Researchers, explores the careers and experiences of five individuals associated with with the Royal Ontario Museum.

Video Podcast (8MB, 90sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Conversations with Archaeologists and Researchers: Dr. Dan Bahat

May 07, 2010
Former District Archaeologist of Jerusalem and current professor at Bar-Llan University and St. Michael's College at University of Toronto, Dr. Dan Bahat talks about his renowned archaeological career.

This unique video series, Conversations with Archaelogists and Researchers, explores the careers and experiences of five individuals associated with with the Royal Ontario Museum.

Video Podcast (12MB, 2min 10sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

David Evans in South Africa

May 03, 2010
On location in South Africa, David Evans, Associate Curator Vertebrate Palaeontology, shows us where he discovered and collected the dinosaur nest in 2005 that is on display at the ROM until September 12, 2010.

Video Podcast (10MB, 30sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Jane Goodall: 50 Years of Chimps and Change

April 12, 2010
On April 9, 2010, Jane Goodall, Ph. D., DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN messenger of Peace, spoke to a sold-out audience in Toronto. Listen as she reflects on her research over the past five decades.

Co-presented by the Royal Ontario Museum and the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada (www.janegoodall.org) in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Centre for Environment, University of Toronto, as part of the ROM's Slice of Life: Biodiversity Lecture Series.

The audio podcast is no longer available on the ROM website. Visit the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada to listen to the full lecture.

Audio Podcast (Not Downloadable, 55min)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Finding Your Inner Fish

April 09, 2010
Listen as Neil Shubin of the University of Chicago tells the 3.5-billion-year history of the human body through the fossils and DNA of our cousins in the living world.

Audio Podcast (32MB, 50min)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Artist Talk: Dan Perjovschi

April 09, 2010
On February 17 2010, following his week-long stay drawing directly on the walls of the ICC's Roloff Beny Gallery, Dan Perjovschi shared his thoughts on his work, his practice, and his experiences of working in museums and galleries all over the world.

Video Podcast (42MB, 10min)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Biodiversity with David Suzuki

March 29, 2010
Preserving the diversity of life on earth has never been more important. Dr. David Suzuki discusses the significant role biodiversity plays in maintaining the health of our planet.

Video Podcast (2MB, 1min)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Brave the New Bat Cave

March 22, 2010
Bigger, better and scarier than ever! See what kids are saying about the revamped Bat Cave.

Video Podcast (2MB, 1min)
Written Transcript (PDF)

2010 Vaughan Lecture: New Directions in Dinosaur Research

February 11, 2010
Dr. David Evans highlights some of the ROM's latest field projects and newest dinosaur discoveries. The ROM dinosaur research program is currently expanding at an unprecedented rate, with many new and exciting lab and field projects taking place across the globe, from Mongolia, to South Africa, to the Canadian Arctic and Alberta and building on the ROM's rich history of dinosaur research that goes back almost a century.

Audio Podcast (40MB, 1 hr)
Written Transcript (PDF)

The Warrior Emperor and China's Terracotta Army

February 10, 2010
The ROM is please to bring The Warrior Emperor and China's Terracotta Army to Toronto. Opens June 2010.

Video Podcast (8MB, 90 sec)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Bat Cave: Underground

February 5, 2010
ROM Video Producer, Elaisha Stokes, visits Jamaica's St. Clair Cave. A Toronto team from went to Jamaica in January 2010 to gather footage of the inhabitants of the underground structure in preparation of the opening of the new bat cave.

Video Podcast (14MB, 2min)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Prom Noir:
The Young Patrons' Circle (YPC)

January 28, 2010
The Young Patrons' Circle (YPC) invites you to a thrilling night of dark glamour and cinematic fantasy for PROM Noir. The YPC's fifth annual fundraiser takes place Saturday, March 27, 2010.

Video Podcast (12MB, 1min)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Iconic - Tagish Lake Meteorite

January 15, 2010
The ultimate deep-space time capsule, this small black rock plummeted from space carrying organic material dating back 4.5 billion years. Much of the meteorite remains frozen in the ROM's vaults for research, but a sizable piece is on display in the Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth’s Treasure and is one of the ROM’s iconic treasures.

Video Podcast (16MB, 2mins)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Iconic - Striding Lion

January 15, 2010
A city known for many of the great wonders of the world, the striding lion of Babylon once adorned the citadel of the Nebuchadnazzar castle. Found in the throne room, the decorated relief on clay bricks is extremely rare and is one of the ROM’s iconic, must see treasures.

Video Podcast (16MB, 2mins)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Iconic - The Paradise of Maitreya

January 14, 2010
This temple wall painting installed in the Bishop White Gallery of Chinese Temple Art forms the centrepiece of one of the world’s most important collections of Chinese temple art. Learn about this iconic ROM object, one of the best-preserved examples of its kind, and why it is a must-see treasure of the ROM.

Video Podcast (16MB, 2mins)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Iconic - "Kunti" (Blue Lady)

January 14, 2010
Listen as artist, Navjot Altaf, speaks about the sculpture "Kunti" (blue lady) from the series "In Response to," one of the ROM's iconic treasures. A modern twist on conventional South Asian art, the larger than life sculpture is inspired by village witch-trials and fertility goddesses. Its brilliant blue references the indigo trade and the traditional Hindu colour of divinity.

Video Podcast (16MB, 2mins)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Opening of Fakes and Forgeries: Yesterday and Today

January 08, 2010
At the opening of Fakes and Forgeries: Yesterday and Today, Dan Rahimi, Vice President, Gallery Development, introduces this interactive, new ROM exhibition that challenges visitors to find the fakes.

Video Podcast (10MB, 2mins)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Iconic - White Rhino

December 14, 2009
This white rhino is a rare specimen and the centerpiece of the Life in Crisis: Schad Gallery of Biodiversity. Born in South Africa, "Bull" was a mighty 4,500 pounds and is one of the Iconic Objects of the ROM.

Video Podcast (18MB, 3mins)
Written Transcript (PDF)