Chae Byrne

Current position

Research Fellow, Project Manager-ARC Laureate 'Desert People Project' University of Western Australia

Research Fellow on 'Desert to the Sea' ARC Linkage, University of Western Australia

Where did you study?

Curtin University

University of Western Australia

How did you become interested in archaeology?

I was drawn to archaeology for my love of history and the past. Archaeology stood out to me as it bridged the gap between social science analytical thinking and scientific application.

What archaeological projects are you working on at the moment?

Peter Veth's 'Desert People Project' in both a Project Manager and research capacity.

Jo McDonald's 'Desert to the Sea' project, undertaking archaeobotanical, ethnobotanical and experimental fire research.

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

Much of my time on fieldwork is sampling plants, so I’m often exposed to some crazy creatures. My most recent fieldwork had me chased by hundreds of angry spitfire caterpillars!

What’s your favourite part of being an archaeologist?

I love how archaeology is the bridge between a multitude of worlds.

The past and present, analytical thinking, scientific method, multidisciplinary teams, working with Traditional Owners. I feel very lucky to work with such knowledgeable Traditional Owner colleagues and learn more about deep-time ecological knowledge and connection to the landscape. I learn something new every time I’m in the field.

I love being in the lab one week, then in highly remote deserts the next.

Follow up reading.

https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/persons/chae-byrne