Taylar Reid

Taylor is in a helicopter, wearing heaphones with a microphone, and with a high vis shirt on. You can see a beautiful landscape out the window behind her, and she looks quietly very pleased.

Current position

Senior Archaeologist

Where did you study?

McGill University (Montreal, Canada) - Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology & Archaeology

Flinders University (Adelaide, Australia) - Graduate Certificate in Archaeology

How did you become interested in archaeology?

I was studying to become a marine biologist or volcanologist, took an elective in Human Evolution and fell in love. I switched from Science to Arts to study pre-historic archaeology and anthropology.

What archaeological projects are you working on at the moment?

Various consulting projects across NSW, particularly large-scale State Significant Development projects.

Tell us about one of your most interesting archaeological discoveries

Before working as an archaeologist in Australia, I found a rockshelter with rock art while 4WDing with my partner in the Watagans near Newcastle, NSW. I've since learned that it's a known and registered site, but at the time I was pretty chuffed (and mildly surprised) by my intuition!

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

Taking an 8 hour helicopter ride from Sydney to Far West NSW for a week of site inspections (twice). One day while flying to site the Aboriginal knowledge holders pointed out a well documented Dreaming pathway which was incredible to see from the air!

What’s your favourite part of being an archaeologist?

Travelling across NSW, working with the local Aboriginal community on Country.

National Archaeology Week