History is never one-dimensional — and archaeology reveals just how layered and complex our past really is. In this episode, Dr. Beh May Ting speaks with Dr. Nasha Rodziadi Khaw, Deputy Director of the Centre for Global Archaeological Research at USM, whose work is reshaping how we interpret Malaysia’s ancient past. From the discovery of a 1,200-year-old Buddha statue at Bukit Choras to new insights into early Kedah’s trade and landscapes, Dr. Nasha explains why archaeology must consider not only artefacts and texts, but also environmental contexts. We discuss how interpreting the past requires nuance, and why oversimplified narratives often miss the complexity of ancient civilisations.