Amanda Quealy is a sophomore majoring in history and anthropology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. As an undergraduate researcher at the Illinois State Archaeological Survey (ISAS), Amanda plays an essential role in organizing and cataloging artifacts, ranging from bones to botanical materials and lithics. Her passion for history and archaeology was nurtured by family trips to historical sites across the world, fueling her love for the past. Keep reading to learn more about Amanda's unique journey into archaeology and her advice for those just starting out in the field.
Q: Can you tell us about yourself and your role at PRI?
A: I work part-time on the ISAS project, where I organize, catalog, and do data entry for different artifacts. These include bones, botanical materials, and lithics.
Q: What drew you to your area of work or study?
A: I’ve always loved museums and history, so archaeology came naturally with that! I was lucky to have grandparents who supported my passion by taking me to many different historical sites around the world and giving me the resources to keep learning.
Q: What questions do you get asked most frequently about your career? How do you answer those questions?
A: People often ask how I can work in archaeology without being in the field. I explain that my role focuses on organizing collections that have already been excavated but haven’t had their information properly maintained yet.
Q: What advice would you give to those just starting out in your field?
A: I’d say to make everything fun and imagine what stories the artifacts might hold!
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: I’m very passionate about reproductive justice, and I spend a lot of time working with our Planned Parenthood Generation Action Club.