Sven Ouzman
Current Position
Researcher and academic at the University of Western Australia Archaeology and Centre for Rock Art Research + Management
Where did you study?
Bachelor of Arts + Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Doctor of Philosophy - University of California, Berkeley, USA.
How did you become interested in archaeology?
I liked being out in the bush, getting lost and finding interesting things. Archaeology gave a purpose to my lostness.
What archaeological projects are you working on at the moment?
I am busy with two large Australian Research Council Projects in the Kimberley researching and dating rock art, archaeological and heritage sites. These projects are all about team work with Traditional Owners and multiple academic, government and philanthropic partners.
I am also interested in using Archaeology to study contemporary issues such as graffiti and homelessness.
Tell us about one of your most interesting archaeological discoveries.
We're not treasure hunters so our discoveries are less about spectacular objects than interesting ideas. So, one of my best discoveries was when I was working on San or 'Bushman' rock art in southern Africa and realised that black and white rhinos were being used as natural models for the destructive male and nurturing female rain in San belief and rock art.
Tell us about a funny/disastrous/amazing experience that you have had while doing archaeology.
We make mistakes all the time - and we should learn from them...
However this January during our UWA 'Experimenting with Archaeology' Summer School I repeatedly told students to move carefully near the excavation so they did not knock down the strings marking out the excavation grid.
Guess what I did....?
What’s your favourite part of being an archaeologist?
Exploring the world below our feet!
Follow up reading:
Who wants a boring old reading? See how we learn from communities here - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11- 17/kimberley-rock-art-partnership-helps-students/9158608