Australian archaeologists work in a huge range of fields, investigating diverse aspects of our past. A generous bunch of Australian archaeologists have shared their stories with us. Click on the profiles below to find out more!
If you would like to add your story, please get in touch, or fill in the form below.
The surprise electric fence is an exciting new fieldwork hazard that Holly has added to the list. But she also has amazing stories, from finding an unrecorded 1880s cellar, to a cache of Iron Age pottery goblets and plates under a collapsed mudbrick wall.
Read MoreCoral grew up visiting archaeological sites with her father and sister, taking her camera along and keeping a notebook. Later she had the opportunity to excavate at many significant archaeological sites in Mexico, and even found a pyramid! Now she is working in another fascinating archaeological landscape in Western Australia, as well as continuing her research in Mexico.
Read MoreHendri has come a long way since deciding to become an archaeologist while watching The Mummy! His current research investigates past subsistence strategies of coastal and island people in Wallacea and surrounding islands, including sea urchin harvesting dating back 40,000 years.
Read MoreShimona says she was roped into archaeology with the promise of discoveries in the remote islands of Indonesia. Now her current fieldwork is based on the islands of south-east Indonesia, searching for the earliest evidence of human occupation in the region and investigating the movements and inter-island networks of these maritime communities.
Read MoreAlison’s grandfather was an industrial archaeologist, so her curiosity was sparked at an early age. Her work now provides the opportunity to travel to places she would not otherwise have seen, and also to contribute to the conservation and recording of the history and heritage of these places.
Read MoreSarah says, ‘since it’s impossible to be a time traveller, archaeology is the next best thing!’, and who could argue with that. As part of her work as a consultant archaeologist, she loves researching the environmental and historical contexts of locations that she works in, and imagining what things would have been like in the past.
Read MoreFor Sam, being an archaeologist means having the opportunity to learn something new with every project, and to connect with a wide range of people from different backgrounds. Sometimes it does also mean excavating rat skulls, however.
Read MoreFelicity first encountered archaeology in her Year 11 Ancient History class, and has never looked back. Her favourite part of being an archaeologist is the challenge to always ask questions, to be always learning and refining skills and understanding. One of those crucial skills being, of course, how to cross electric fences while on surveys …
Read MoreSheahan grew up in a house that was built in 1856, playing in old sheds with nearly 150 years of junk. What else could she do but become an archaeologist? Now she is working on phytolith analysis from a site in southern China, finding out about plants and people, right at the point where rice was first being domesticated.
Read MoreLara explains the significance of finding an olive pip at Pella in Jordan, showing how the smallest of finds can help to answer the biggest of questions about the human past.
Read MoreWorking in archaeology and museums, Cambria has found ways to explore and share knowledge about the past with people who may not have written documentation of their history. She also shares the experience common to all archaeologists, of always finding the most important feature on site five minutes before the end of the day!
Read MoreLyle’s day-to-day work ranges from documentary research to producing maps and 3D photogrammetry from drone imagery. His favourite part of being an archaeologist will ring true for many: ‘Nerding out and digging into the history of a site or place’!
Read MoreAfter a break due to covid, Keir is very much looking forward to getting back to fieldwork in the incredible urban landscapes of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruva in Sri Lanka. Hopefully no dips in crocodile-infested lakes this time …
Read MorePedro tells a familiar story of following his twin loves of history and the outdoors to archaeology, the best of those two worlds! And another familiar story of digging away for two weeks, only to have a senior archaeologist come by and find the most interesting artefact in your trench …
Read MoreArchaeology was a hobby Emma shared with her father, and now it’s her job as well! From General Gordon in Bendigo to an eel-infested drain in Port Phillip Bay, with every project she works on she gets wrapped up in the research and the stories.
Read MoreSally is a palaeontologist AND an archaeologist [this is not helping Sally], and she has created a website that provides you with information about what to do if you ever discover an Indigenous artefact, or a fossil! Jump onto Sally’s website Found a Fossil to find out more.
Read MoreLeah’s archaeological career is part of a broader concern for her cultural heritage, inherited from her Ancestors through her grandmother and mother. But without neglecting valuable practical lessons from her uncle, about the dangers of falling into trenches and standing in ants nests.
Read MoreCaitlin chose archaeology as a career, looking for a practical application for her passion for history. In her first week on the job, she found herself down an old abandoned flue - wet, dark, claustrophobic and smelly. Fortunately it wasn’t glamour she was looking for.
Read MoreElise explains how every archaeological discovery is interesting, right from the small ‘boring’ things to the big shiny things. Every little element has a part to play in creating the story.
Read MoreIldikë followed her love of adventure, history and the outdoors to archaeology! She is now working on diverse projects right across the country, and still loves the travel and discovery, plus going behind the scenes on site.
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