Emily Grey

Current position.

Prospective PhD Candidate in Archaeology at the University of Western Australia.

Where did you study?

University of Western Australia.

How did you become interested in archaeology?

From a young age I was fascinated by history and the way people react to the worlds around them. My dad is a biologist and my mum a potter and sociologist, so I learned to appreciate the environment, from the tiniest animals and plants, as well as the ways in which people interact with, move through, and utilise their surroundings. I really struggled after high school to find a passion that pushed me to work harder and succeed, and when I landed on archaeology I knew I had found my niche.

What archaeological projects are you working on at the moment?

At the moment I am working on my PhD project, investigating human-plant relationships in gatherer-hunter communities through the relational analysis of plant depictions in Kimberley rock art. My project is spatially located in Balanggarra land in the northeast Kimberley, and is part of the ARC project Kimberley Visions: Rock Art Style Provinces in Northern Australia. I take a strong relational approach to the archaeological record in an effort to recognise, respect, and understand traditional relational ontologies and human-environment relationships in gatherer-hunter communities. 

Tell us about one of your most interesting archaeological discoveries.

Climbing up the side of the escarpment in the Kimberley, while very hard work, is worth it when you reach the top and get to explore rock shelters full of incredible paintings, grinding patches, and beautiful lithics. Especially when you have a view of the whole plain stretched out below you!

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

I'm Coeliac, and once got gluten poisoning on a field school - I spent four hours throwing up my internal organs in a hot demountable toilet. Not an enjoyable experience, but I was told the toilet was nicer than the local hospital, so we stayed put.

What’s your favourite part of being an archaeologist?

Meeting and working with Traditional Owners to record their heritage, so both academic and community groups can benefit. 

Follow up reading:

I'm working on several papers at the moment, so stay tuned!! 

You can find Emily’s LinkedIn profile here.