Unlocking the past with archaeological imagery brings childhood dream to life

Graphics Manager Beata Wieczorek-Oleksy’s career illustrates that childhood dreams can come true and with the team at RSK Group company Headland Archaeology, she is highlighting the value of bringing the past to life.

As a little girl, Beata loved drawing, and it was during her childhood that she discovered the fascinating world of archaeology.

She said: “It may sound clichéd but my first encounter with archaeology was through an Indiana Jones film. I was less fascinated with his hat and adventures and more intrigued by the word ‘archaeologist’. At the time, it seemed full of mysteries, which years later turned out to be true. It holds nothing but secrets that we strive to unravel.”

Beata graduated with a degree in archaeology from the University of Wroclaw, Poland. She then moved to Ireland, where her husband was offered a postdoctoral position at University College Cork.

She said: “I had to find my way in our new situation and applied for a job at Headland Archaeology, which, at that time, had an office near Cork. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any vacancies, but that didn’t discourage me. I went to work as a volunteer to gain experience and after a week, I was offered a position in the post-excavation team.

“After two years, I wanted to develop my skills and learn something new and had a particular desire to spread my wings in the graphics department.”

Following training, Beata became a full-time illustrator, but in 2009, she and her husband moved to Cambridge.

Beata said: “I became a mum and once it was time to return to work, I joined Suffolk County Council’s archaeology team. However, I noticed that Headland Archaeology was expanding rapidly, opening new offices across the UK. I applied for an illustrator position when one became available and was offered the job.

“I was promoted to senior illustrator before being promoted to my current position of graphics manager, in which I lead a team of three very talented illustrators.”

Beata said her career progression shows how essential professional development is, both for individuals and for the business.

She added: “In a specialist field like archaeological illustrations, skills, tools and industry standards evolve constantly. Continuous learning ensures that staff not only keep pace but also innovate, bringing fresh approaches that enhance quality and efficiency.

“Headland supported me by providing access to training and industry conferences and creating space for innovation by giving us time to explore new tools, methods and creative solutions. Most importantly, it recognises achievements and encourages mentoring, so skills are passed on.”

As a manager, Beata is a strong believer in investing in training and mentoring talent in-house, offering clear career pathways, encouraging knowledge transfer and promoting careers to a wider pool, not just archaeologists.

She said she noticed when she was hiring people for her team that the industry was experiencing a real shortage of qualified archaeological illustrators.

Beata added: “It has become increasingly difficult to recruit people who not only have the technical skills but can also adapt to the standards, workflows and collaborative practices required within a professional graphics team. Often, experienced illustrators arrive with established ways of working that can be challenging to integrate into a new environment.

“Because of this, my preference is to focus on potential rather than just prior experience. I have found that hiring less experienced or even untrained individuals – provided they have strong natural talent, a passion for illustration and the enthusiasm to learn – is often the best long-term solution. They don’t need to come from an archaeological background; what matters most is their creativity, adaptability and willingness to grow into the role. With the right guidance, training and mentoring, these individuals can quickly develop into highly skilled specialists who contribute fresh ideas and energy to the team.”

Beata emphasised the important role a graphics team plays, not just within a business but in the industry at large: “Archaeological illustrations help us to visualise reports. They facilitate understanding and introduce us to a world discovered, excavated from the earth to understand our past.

“Archaeological reconstructions, in particular, enable us to travel through time and thereby understand ourselves.

“I would like the graphics team to be recognised not just as a support service but as a creative and strategic partner that adds real value to the business, the wider archaeological industry and beyond.”