Ryan Zanker
Current position
Archaeologist
Where did you study?
Flinders University
How did you become interested in archaeology?
In high school, I really enjoyed taking ancient studies in Year 11, particularly a topic on Ötzi the Iceman. My history teacher encouraged me to pursue archaeology and ancient studies further. After my first degree (aviation and aviation management), I decided to return to my interest and haven’t looked back.
What archaeological projects are you working on at the moment?
I work on development driven projects across NSW, including mines, gas pipelines, wind farms, solar farms, road corridors, etc.
Tell us about one of your most interesting archaeological discoveries
I was working on a project for a telco mast on top of a hill in north coast NSW. As part of my background research, I happened to find that the specific hill that was surveyed was a gazetted Aboriginal Place, noted for its abundance and harvesting of yams and tubers. I ended up down a rabbit hole about yams and their importance to local peoples. Very cool.
Tell us about a funny / disastrous / amazing experience that you have had while doing archaeology
Doing a road corridor survey in regional NSW, there was a previously recorded cluster of scarred trees near to my project area. When I got out there to survey, they were plotting right in the middle of the highway, and according to the nearby Local Aboriginal Land Council were most likely a recording error. Ended up getting caught in a cyclone of bureaucracy to get that sorted.
What’s your favourite part of being an archaeologist?
My favourite part of being an archaeologist has been the amazing country I’ve been privileged to visit and work. From the middle of Sturt National Park in corner country to the Snowy Mountains, I have worked in places that most people will never see.
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