From banking to Roman artefacts: My career change led to the greatest discovery of all

For 17 years, Sara Machin worked in a job that paid the bills but her enduring interest in and curiosity about archaeology mixed with a dose of serendipity unlocked the doors to her dream.

Sara’s journey to joining RSK Group company Headland Archaeology as a senior finds specialist at one point seemed unlikely. With a mortgage and bills to pay, Sara, who worked in retail banking, did not have the opportunity to pursue the career she wanted. That was until the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) introduced an archaeology course that gave her the chance to study part-time.

Sara said: “I carried on working and attended lectures during my lunch breaks. It took me five years, but it was worth it. After graduating and spending the summer on a research excavation in Greece, I decided to quit my job at the bank and move to Southampton to complete a master’s in ceramic analysis.

“Making that leap of handing in my notice and moving hundreds of miles away to study was huge but I was lucky to have the support of my partner (now husband) who came with me. Of course, we’ve faced our fair share of ups and downs along the way, but it’s been an incredible adventure.”

During her studies for her master’s, Sara became a mum and took time out to spend time with her daughter. However, when a PhD using ceramic skills to look at Roman building materials caught her eye, Sara thought, ‘I can do that’.”

After spending three and a half years working on her PhD, Sara began working in the university department as a post-doctoral researcher. Explaining how networking plays a huge role in the world of archaeology, Sara said it was through her manager that she discovered a Roman pot specialist was required at Headland. Following an interview, much to her delight, Sara was offered the job and said she is now living the dream.

She added: “No two days are the same at Headland. I do everything from working on finds assemblages (all the finds recovered and recorded during an archaeological project) recording and reporting on pottery, preparing site reports for clients, liaising with external specialists and supervising the team within the office. I am lucky to work with a great supportive team who all have a passion for what they are doing and that my hobby just so happens to be my job.”

Before each project, the team carries out desk-based assessments to predict the volume and periods of any archaeological remains within the scope of the project. This is based on what has previously been discovered in the vicinity and is a mere snapshot of a site’s potential.

Working closely with the finds and reporting teams, Sara explained that she works on projects that have come in from all over the country. Reporting on Roman pottery is more regional and therefore requires specialist knowledge of the material from more defined areas.

The first project Sara worked on at Headland was the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme, which is one of the largest archaeological projects in the UK.

Describing it as an incredible experience, Sara shared more about what the project entailed: “The archaeological work included over 40 huge area excavations, approximately the size of Monaco, and revealed many multi-period sites from Palaeolithic remains to post-medieval, with the finds assemblage running into tonnes of material and tens of thousands of finds. The sites and material included 40,000-year-old woolly mammoth remains, prehistoric flint arrowheads, Roman coins and a deserted medieval village. I am really excited to see the final published outputs as the work nears its completion.”

Ahead of celebrating her fifth anniversary at Headland, Sara reflected on all she has achieved so far and her hopes for the future. She said: “I think we all spend so much of our life at work; it is too big a part of your life not to enjoy what you do. Thirteen years ago, I moved away from home and now have a master’s, doctorate, husband and a beautiful daughter. I am incredibly proud of myself.

“Each project I work on is fascinating and studying remains of the past and sharing the results with future researchers and the wider public is a real privilege. As I look to the future, I hope to develop and progress further, and I am excited to see what the next five years bring.”