Karen Henderson and Felix Hudson

After completing archaeology and ancient history undergraduate degrees at UWA in early 2004, Karen Henderson and Felix Hudson were awarded scholarships in Roman Archaeology that enabled them to gain practical experience from participation in the Terra Europaea 2004 field season around the Romanian site of Tropaeum Traiani.

The 13 strong Terra Europaea team, consisting of archaeology, anthropology and classics students, art historians, and a numismatist was lead by Professor Linda Ellis from the University of San Francisco. After a few days excavation at the city itself, Karen and Felix undertook surface surveys, soil phosphate testing and test excavations, attempting to locate a rural Roman settlement situated on one of the aqueduct lines supplying Tropaeum Traiani. Due to significant ploughing and intensive pastoral use and agriculture at the site, much of the context was disturbed. Consequently, the test trenches revealed a jumble of Dacian, Roman, Greek and medieval (Turkish) pottery. A surface survey conducted in a corn field showed the most promise due to a concentration of Roman pottery, and negotiation with local land-owners should open this site for future excavation.

In addition to the providing the opportunity to develop technical excavation skills, the Terra Europaea experience gave Karen and Felix a first-hand insight into the logistical organisation required to successfully carry out a large scale excavation in a foreign environment.

Following the field season, Karen completed a certificate in Geographic Information Science (GIS) at Curtin University prior to undertaking Honours studies in Classics and Ancient History at UWA. Her dissertation - An Archaeological Investigation of Desert Kites Near Umm el-Quttein [Jordan] Using Photogrammetric Techniques, received a first class grade. She is currently having a break from her studies while travelling and pursuing her other passion, Spanish dance. She plans to return to further studies in the future with a particular focus on the use of photogrammetry and GIS in archaeology.

Felix completed his Arts/Commerce double degree in 2004 with Arts majors in Archaeology and French. Having completing his Chartered Accountants qualification, he is currently working as a management consultant, but is hoping to complete Honours study in Archaeology in the future.