Sean Ulm

Current position: 

Professor of Archaeology, James Cook University, Cairns
Deputy Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage
Editor, Australian Archaeology
Editor, Queensland Archaeological Research

Where did you study?

I did my undergraduate degree (anthropology and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies), honours (anthropology) and PhD (archaeology) at The University of Queensland.

How did you become interested in archaeology?

Growing up in regional Australia I was always interested in Aboriginal society, culture and land rights as well as history, especially ancient history. When I got to university I found my niche in combining these interests in anthropology and archaeology.

What archaeological projects are you working on at the moment?

My main fieldwork is across northern Australia where I collaborate with Traditional Owner communities to document cultural heritage and understand the extraordinary changes that have taken place in culture, landscapes and seascapes. I have a particular interest in coastal and island environments. My current projects focus on modelling how Sahul (the combined landmass of Australia and New Guinea at times of lower sea-level) was peopled, when different islands were first occupied and what the submerged archaeological landscapes of Australia's vast continental shelves can tell us about this history of the continent.

Tell us about one of your most interesting archaeological discoveries.

Every time you go into the field or laboratory you discover something new. That is one of the most extraordinary things about archaeology. This is especially true in places like Australia where so little archaeology has been done.

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

LOL. Too many to list! I spent several years excavating in Honduras in Central America where I managed to have a bot fly maggot grow in my back and pick-up dengue fever!

What’s your favourite part of being an archaeologist?

Working with Indigenous communities across the world has shaped the person I am today. It is an extraordinary privilege to be invited onto country and into the families and lives of Traditional Owners and custodians. I also love that archaeology is a team-based activity and in doing archaeology we form life-long bonds with one another that tightly knit our community together.

Follow up reading.

Check-out some of our recent work at: https://research.jcu.edu.au/portfolio/sean.ulm/