Ancient LOLs: Memes Before the Internet episode artwork

EPISODE · May 30, 2025 · 5 MIN

Ancient LOLs: Memes Before the Internet

from Sketchy Past: The Funny Side of Art & Design History

Think memes are a modern invention? Think again. In this episode, we travel back thousands of years to uncover the surprisingly hilarious world of ancient memes. From graffiti in Pompeii that would rival your group chat, to sassy hieroglyphs, medieval marginalia, and even Renaissance meme-battles, we’ll show you how humans have always loved a good joke—no Wi-Fi required. Art history has a sense of humor... and it’s way older than you think.

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Ancient LOLs: Memes Before the Internet

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How long is this episode of Sketchy Past: The Funny Side of Art & Design History?

This episode is 5 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 30, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Think memes are a modern invention? Think again. In this episode, we travel back thousands of years to uncover the surprisingly hilarious world of ancient memes. From graffiti in Pompeii that would rival your group chat, to sassy hieroglyphs,...

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