Nil Muhaffel

Current position

Archaeologist and Heritage Advisor in Victoria

Where did you study?

Bachelor of Arts at Monash, Archaeological Science at Australian National University, and Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies at Deakin University

How did you become interested in archaeology?

My father was a tour guide in Egypt and he would wear an Indiana Jones hat and talk about archaeology all the time - oh and his bedroom was covered with maps! I just thought it was so fascinating.

What archaeological projects are you working on at the moment?

I work with Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in Victoria at the moment, and I love it. However, I plan on starting my research as soon as my toddler starts school!

Tell us about one of your most interesting archaeological discoveries.

Initially, I was fascinated by forensic archaeology. I have always been very active politically and loved the idea of using archaeological techniques to uncover human right issues, specifically mass graves. Helping exhume mass graves from Somaliland’s civil war in 1990’s was an experience I will never forget. It has taught me a lot about humanity.

Same year I had the opportunity to assist the excavation of an Iron Age mass grave containing approximately 60 individuals in Southeast Turkey.

It was very interesting to see the way the treatment of the dead could be so varied and so similar at the same time, throughout our past.

What’s your favourite part of being an archaeologist?

To uncover a tiny piece of a grand puzzle we’ve been going at since forever.