Talei Holm

Current position

Archaeologist with Umwelt and Masters Student at Flinders University.

Where did you study?

I started my undergrad at the University of Sydney (USYD) then jumped ship to finish it at the Australian National University (ANU). Now I am doing my Masters at Flinders researching culturally modified trees.

How did you become interested in archaeology?

I grew up on a farm in regional NSW and never really heard or thought much about archaeology. I didn't know what I wanted to do after year 12 but USYD had a scholarship and lowered Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for rural students and my thought process was "if you don't know what to do, do Arts". The only trouble was to apply for the scholarship you had to choose a major. Archaeology was the third thing on the list, I liked playing in the dirt and hated the idea of a "typical 9-5" so it seemed like a perfect fit. I never looked back!

What archaeological projects are you working on at the moment?

Commercially, too many to count! In terms of research, I am a founder of the Ring Tree Research Project and (trying) to finish my thesis on culturally modified trees on Wiradjuri Country with the Young Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Tell us about one of your most interesting archaeological discoveries

I have been on so many cool projects that it's hard to say. My first "OMG" discovery that will forever be seared into my memory is helping with the excavation of a well in Tassie. At the bottom there were full, sealed bottles of Dutch gin that were being stored down there until the rope snapped. One of the bottles broke from the pressure change and I became tipsy from the fumes alone. I have been a gin drinker ever since and no; we weren’t allowed to taste the well gin. This remains my greatest regret to date.

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

There are way too many. In archaeology, no two days are the same and nothing ever goes to plan. From getting soaked in the pouring rain trying to find rock art (we weren’t even in the right area) to becoming delirious over phasing in Paramatta to getting bogged in the most inconvenient places. We do give our poor vehicles a run for their money.

On a serious note, I hope I never stop feeling the spark when a landscape opens up to me. Viewing an area in a whole new way through understanding the unique relationality of a specific space. No two landscapes are the same and it’s a powerful feeling when you are out on Country.

What’s your favourite part of being an archaeologist?

The people and the travel, without a doubt. Working on Country with community and being around other archaeologists who are without a doubt the loveliest and most unique people out there.