Audio is streamed from the publisher.
Show notes
In 48 B.C.E., a massive fire ripped through the Library of Alexandria in Egypt, one of the largest and most significant ancient libraries. An estimated 100,000 works of literature were lost. Throughout history, there are[https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/fire-library-of-alexandria/?utm\_source=wnyc&utm\_medium=podcast&utm\_campaign=scifri"]( lots of examples of things being “lost”: cities, like Pompeii, graves of figures like Genghis Khan, and works of art from masters like Leonardo da Vinci. Author Sam Kean explores these historical losses in his new book, “The Museum of Lost Things.” He joins Host Ira Flatow to discuss what we can learn from them. [https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/the-museum-of-lost-things-book-excerpt/?utm\_source=wnyc&utm\_medium=podcast&utm\_campaign=scifri"]( Read an excerpt from “The Museum of Lost Things: True Tales of Fabled Treasures, Legendary Cities, and Mythical Creatures That Vanished From History” Guest: Sam Kean is the author of eight books, including “The Museum of Lost Things." He is based in Washington, D.C. _Transcript will be available after the show airs on_ [https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/fire-library-of-alexandria/?utm\_source=wnyc&utm\_medium=podcast&utm\_campaign=scifri"]( _sciencefriday.com._ [https://pod.link/73329284"]( _Subscribe to this podcast._ _Follow our show on_ [https://www.instagram.com/scifri/"]( _Instagram_ _,_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@scifri"]( _TikTok_ _,_ [https://www.facebook.com/scifri"]( _Facebook_ _, and_ [https://bsky.app/profile/scifri.bsky.social"]( _Bluesky_ _@scifri and_ [https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm\_source=wnyc&utm\_medium=podcast&utm\_campaign=scifri"]( _sign up for our newsletters_ _. Got a science question that’s keeping you up at night? Call us:_ _877-472-4374_ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See [pcm.adswizz.com]( https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.