Adam Pietrzak

Current position

Heritage Consultant and Archaeologist at GML.

Where did you study?

The University of Birmingham.

How did you become interested in archaeology?

I've been interested in archaeology for as long as I can remember. As a child I used to happily dig all day long in a sandpit and dream of finding a pyramidion or a cache of carbonized scrolls preserved by the pyroclastic flows of a volcanic eruption.

What archaeological projects are you working on at the moment?

I am working on excavations for several developments in Sydney and Parramatta, as well assessments and reports. Archaeology isn't always digging, and the pen is often more important than the trowel!

Tell us about one of your most interesting archaeological discoveries.

For me the most interesting discoveries aren't gold or treasure- but artefacts which bring to life the small gestures of everyday people who often get left out of the historical narrative. I once found a piece of slate in the remains of an 1860s terraced house in inner Sydney. On turning it over, I found that the slate had been used as an artist's palette, and it still retained vivid colours splashed across it's surface - bright reds, verdant greens, and deep blues. There's something deeply human about the desire to paint that transcends time and space.

Tell us about a funny / disastrous / amazing experience that you have had while doing archaeology.

The sisyphean task of bailing out water from flooded excavations in England, usually in the pouring rain and with a bucket full of holes, often has the feel of bailing out a sinking ship in a disaster movie - but with the on-site camaraderie it's always a fun time.

What’s your favourite part of being an archaeologist?

The privilege of working alongside so many passionate, curious and courageous people, and that every site is a new adventure. There's always the hope that with each trowel-full of earth, you might find something amazing. There's also a beauty in working outside through the seasons - in the harsh sun, lashing rain, and on those cool overcast days which offer a rare respite.

Follow up reading.

https://www.gml.com.au/people/adam-pietrzak-heritage-consultant/