Sarah Chandlee
Current position
Regional Manager (VIC) at Everick Heritage
Where did you study?
MA in Anthropology/Archaeology at The University of Tulsa (US), followed by a PhD in Archaeology at Monash University (2022)
How did you become interested in archaeology?
I've always loved ancient Egypt, though for some reason did not know being an archaeologist was actually a real job until I studied abroad at The American University of Cairo while earning my Bachelors. From then on the rest is history as they say, I wanted to do nothing else but pursue and work towards becoming an archaeologist - have to say I love it more every day.
What archaeological projects are you working on at the moment?
I'm currently the Regional Manager of the Everick Heritage Victorian team working on projects throughout the state, related to both Aboriginal and historical heritage. Some of my recent favourites have been projects in non-RAP areas, forming positive working relationships with Traditional Owners and finding ways with them to further preserve heritage on-Country. These projects have also been larger in scale, providing an opportunity to consider the context of the surrounding landscape and broader heritage connections.
Tell us about one of your most interesting archaeological discoveries
Not really sure where to begin with this one ... so I usually default to location haha. In Egypt, it would be excavation of a Late Period mudbrick house that became part of my thesis; in Greece, it would be a hoard of Roman coins in a cloth bag partially preserved; and in Australia, there's almost way too many amazing things here with the rich cultural history! Though off the top of my head, two sites come to mind, including identification of a hand-axe in the Otways and recording an itty-bitty cultural scar on a small Black Box tree that given the size of the bark removal, Traditional Owners noted this was likely carved to make a bullroarer (or as seen on TV, the 'bush tele' used by Mick Dundee).
Tell us about a funny / disastrous / amazing experience that you have had while doing archaeology
Some of the best memories working in archaeology have come from working alongside Traditional Owners, including cooking fresh oysters on-site in Mallacoota, organising BBQs for extensive salvage excavations, and impromptu smoking ceremonies on-site. For a funny story, I was handed sap from a tree along the Murray by a Traditional Owner who said I should eat it. The team had been joking on-site all day, and I was somewhat sceptical. The TO said not to worry, and took some for himself, saying it was bush candy - and he was right, it was delicious (likely Acacia) sap! We all enjoyed a sweet treat that day and appreciation of Traditional knowledge of the landscape.
What’s your favourite part of being an archaeologist?
I really do love it all, from field work to artefact analysis to Traditional Owner engagement to research. I find it fascinating to piece together a story. What is recorded during a survey or test excavation is only a small picture of the broader cultural landscape, though the bigger picture of a site, or multiple sites, is still possible when utilising all available forms of research (and there are so many!). Archaeology is also great in this instance as there are so many wonderful people working in this industry, each with unique skills and knowledge. I literally learn something new every day.
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