What is your job role?
Senior Project Officer.

Chris on site at NKAM

How long have you worked for Allen Archaeology?
Almost 3 years now, but it feels like yesterday.

How would describe your excavation technique?
Rusty.

How long have you been working in archaeology?
My first paid job was a bit over 10 years ago. I spent a few years up in Yorkshire before finding my way back to the flatlands in the east.

How did you get into archaeology?
I like mud. I remember spending most of my holidays as a child were spent running around outdoors and exploring castles, so I always wanted something more than just a 9 to 5 office job (notice the not-so-subtle hint to my bosses to let me go and play in the mud again). Farming didn’t quite provide the excitement that I craved so I honed my skills studying dead people’s rubbish at university in the hope of getting a real job – as an archaeologist.

What is the best thing about your job?
Stratigraphy! Spending weeks in the site hut scribbling notes on anything to hand to create a masterpiece telling the story of the whole site must be one of my favourite jobs. Later on finding out in post-ex. that the finds dating fits perfectly within it is also incredibly satisfying.

Both at work and during hobby-time (extended work hours) I love playing around with new tech: photography, GIS, 3D modelling, I think it’s all great. I’m not entirely sure the bosses really understand what it is I do (and neither do I half the time), but so long as I create something that looks pretty and moves us one step further into the 21st century no one seems to mind.

Specialist skills?
Cat whisperer. I also make a pretty good pancake.

Best site hut biscuit?
Custard creams, the biscuit of champions. Closely followed by chocolate hob nobs.