Michelle Kay

Michelle Kay is an Archaeologist/Heritage Advisor with over a year of experience working in the Victorian heritage industry. She has completed undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in archaeology at various Australian universities and has experience in excavation, laboratory analysis, collections management, and research across Australian historical and Aboriginal contexts as well as Egyptian and Roman archaeology.

Her postgraduate research focused on tattooing practices of ancient Egypt and Nubia and connections to ethnic identities. Michelle recently completed a Graduate Certificate of Archaeology at La Trobe University, Bundoora and is currently pursuing a master’s degree to further develop her skills in Australian Aboriginal archaeology.

Over her career so far, Michelle has developed skills in archaeological survey and excavation, report writing, and lithic and shell analysis. Bringing together expertise from both natural science and humanities fields allows her to delve into site interpretation and storytelling from multiple perspectives.

You could say that Michelle’s interest in the past was piqued through her religious viewing of Time Team at 4.30pm at the tender age of eight. Fast forward to the 2020s and now she’s a fully-fledged archaeologist and archaeology tutor.

When she’s not hanging out in a test pit, Michelle is often found bushwalking, sewing and reading the latest fantasy offering.

Education and affiliations

• Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts majoring in Chemistry and Ancient Cultures, Monash University (2019);
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) specialising in Ancient World Studies, University of Melbourne (2021);
• Master of Research (Arts) in Ancient History, Macquarie University (2022);
• Graduate Certificate of Archaeology, La Trobe University (2024); and
• Membership of the Australian Archaeological Association Inc. (AAA).