Women in current commercial archaeology

 

Introduction

My name is Gemma. I am a field archaeologist in the UK. I work primarily in developer-led archaeology, I also volunteer to teach on academic and outreach research digs both in the UK and further afield. I have a strong interest in welfare and wellbeing in my industry, as well as equality and representation. My independent research centres around perceptions of the female gender in archaeology, it's interpretation and subsequent portrayal to the wider world. With many thanks to the admirable Dr Rachel Pope who recently informed me that what I do is referred to as "Reflections" in classics. As someone from a working class, former mining town, and a woman, both a social status and standing that at one point would have excluded me from pursuing a career in archaeology, I thought I would share what I learn as I investigate the perceptions of the female gender, and how they are subsequently portrayed to the wider world.