Hello! My name is Dr Matilda Siebrecht and I am the founder of The Archaeologist's Teacup. Using my experience in archaeology and journalism, I engage in science communication to share my love of all things ancient with the wider community. My aim is to make archaeological research more accessible to non-specialists and highlight the relevance of prehistoric issues for modern society.
I first discovered archaeology when attending a class on human evolution with a friend of mine at Aberdeen University. I myself was enrolled in a degree in film and visual culture at the time, but changed immediately because I was immediately hooked in that most fascinating of stories; the one of humanity.
More than ten years later and I have since specialised in archaeological science and material culture analysis, with additional experience in scientific journalism, graduate-level teaching, and content creation. As well as developing The Archaeologist's Teacup and working as a freelance consultant for external projects, I am an archaeologist and finds specialist at a commercial archaeology firm, and the social media and outreach manager for a network of archaeology-focused podcasts.
So what is the story behind the name "The Archaeologist's Teacup"? Back in 2018, I wanted to create a space that was open and accessible to all, with a focus on sharing information related to the field of archaeology. Using the metaphor of a teacup seemed appropriate for three main reasons:
1. Tea is varied
Nearly everyone drinks some form of hot beverage, and there are so many different approaches to tea in the world, that there is bound to be a flavour that appeals to everyone. The same can be said of archaeology: It includes such a wide range of topics and sub-topics and specialisations that there will definitely be something of interest to everyone.
2. Tea is international
Yes of course some countries drink more tea than others, but in general if you go to any country in the world, one of the first drinks on offer is bound to be some kind of tea. Archaeology is the study of the human past (not dinosaurs!), and so of course is extremely relevant to all of us, no matter which country you are currently based in.
3. Tea is approachable
Is there anything cosier than settling down to chat over a steaming cup of tea? Too often, academic fields of research such as archaeology are perched on ivory towers, cold and aloof and inaccessible to those outside the discipline. The main aim of this platform is to open up the field to more informal and approachable forms of communication.
And so, The Archaeologist's Teacup was born! Check out my 'Current Projects' page or subscribe to the monthly newsletter to see what is currently in development, and feel free to contact me through the 'Contact' page if you want to brainstorm or collaborate.
