Yvette A Marks

I am Material Scientist, with a focus on reconstructing Ancient Technologies and Metallurgy. I use a holistic approach to my research combining Research, Analysis and Experimental Archaeology. I started my Archaeological career whilst completing my first degree in Classical Studies at the University of Liverpool. During which I carried out training excavations, which led to me becoming a field archaeologist when I finished my masters. I continued my studies at Liverpool and completed an MA in Archaeology during which I focused on Material Culture and Analysis. It was during my studies at Liverpool that my interest in metals, specifically their production, began. 

During my degree I had an interest in the material culture of Ancient Greece in particular, this led to my attendance at the British School at Athens (BSA) Summer School. During this course I became fascinated with the Bronze Age period in the Aegean, which led to my current area of specialism; metal production in the Bronze Age Aegean. I have continued my relationship with the BSA, visiting to use the library, lectures and working on excavations overseen by them. 

After working as a field archaeologist in Britain for a number of years after completing my MA, I joined the Department of Archaeology at the University of Sheffield, completing an MSc in Archaeological Materials, continuing my focus on Material Science. During my MSc I became particularly interested in the microscopic analysis of metals, XRF analysis of metals and soils and Experimental Archaeology. After my MSc I continued to work for the Department, teaching on the field school and modules associated with Material Culture. 

In 2015 I started working for Heritage Doncaster, initially as an Education Officer, then moving on to become their Assistant Curator of Archaeology. During my time at Heritage Doncaster, I enabled the collection to be more accessible; to the public, for teaching and outreach, by cataloguing and interpreting the collection. As well as developing a partnership with the Department of Archaeology at the University of Sheffield, which enables material from the collection to be studied for dissertations, as well as offering work placement and volunteering opportunities. I also developed a second area of research focus, on Iron Smelting in the Iron Age and Roman period in South Yorkshire. 

In 2019 I started in my current role within the Department, as Laboratory Manager and Teaching Technician (Archaeological Science). In this role I manage our suite of Laboratories used for teaching and research in many fields of Archaeology including; Human Osteology, Zooarchaeology and Material Science. I manage a team of specialist Technicians that support the Department in carrying out teaching and research in these fields. I am the Departmental Safety Officer (DSO) and head the H&S and Estates team. I also coordinate the Level 3 Experimental Archaeology Module (AAP389), the Masters Experimental Archaeology Module (AAP6082) and the Masters Reconstructing Ancient Technologies: Metals Module (AAP647), as well as supporting teaching for other Material Science modules as well as research conducted by academic staff. I am currently completing my PhD as a staff candidate.