What archaeological projects are you working on at the moment?
I work as a heritage consultant, which is predominantly providing project-based and strategic advice on aspects of the built environment (e.g. buildings, bridges, reservoirs) and natural environment (e.g. landscapes, cultural plantings). I also assist clients understand what archaeology is in NSW and how it is protected under state legislation.

I am also involved with organising National Archaeology Week activities in NSW. It is always nice to see archaeological work contributing to what the community knows about a place or person, which is not available in written sources. It is also great to see people understanding more about Australia’s history and culture through going along to some events and exhibitions.

Tell us about one of your most interesting archaeological discoveries.
Whilst I was on a student exchange to the UK I helped excavate a 1st-5th Century AD Roman villa in Piddington, Northamptonshire. I found lots of Roman pottery, which I was also studying at the time at Leicester University. Having studied Roman archaeology in Australia, being able to excavate artefacts from that period and know what types of ceramic they were was very satisfying. Others who I were digging with found interesting artefacts like coins and jewellery, and finding them in the ‘dirt’ and working out what they were and who would have used them, knowing how long they have been buried is exhilarating.

Tell us about a funny/disastrous/amazing experience that you have had while doing archaeology.
Whilst excavating in Port Adelaide in 2003 and 2004, fieldwork of PhD candidate Susan Lampard, I developed what I called at the time “trench fever”. My journal noted things such as a tendency to sing a lot, exhaustion, and hallucinations of fascinating things in the trench that disappeared when I went to show others. A beer or two at the end of the week seemed to bring me back to my senses though!

What’s your favourite part of being an archaeologist?
I like the diversity and discovery of archaeology. You can work as an academic, in a government organisation, as a consultant or in many other fields. Archaeologists have a unique way of looking at the past, which is often not understood or appreciated. I have friends who are archaeologists and their interests range from architecture, burial conditions for human remains, Aboriginal art, changes to legislation affecting archaeology and ancient ship anchors.

Follow up reading:
Arthur, D. and Paterson, A. (eds) 2006, National Archaeology Students Conference: 28-30 September 2004: Exploration, Investigations and New Directions, Flinders University, South Australia, Flinders Press, Adelaide, South Australia.

Arthur, D. 2004, The social meaning of classical style public architecture in Adelaide in the 19th century. Unpublished Honours Thesis, Archaeology Department, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia.

Urbis 2010, Conservation Management Plan: Centennial Parklands, prepared for Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust, Sydney.