The Ethos Heritage Team

Emma Samuel BA (Hons)

Emma has worked in professional archaeology since 2014, as both a site assistant and supervisor.

Emma is experienced in undertaking watching briefs, post-excavation analysis, producing excavation reports (‘grey literature’), finds processing and the collation of archives.

Emma has worked on community outreach projects for the Roman Roads Research Association and Peturia Revisited.

Richard Coates MA (Arch)

Richard has worked in professional archaeology since 2011, as both a supervisor and site assistant.

Richard is experienced in supervising open-area excavations, undertaking watching briefs and building surveys, post-excavation analysis, finds processing, producing excavation reports (‘grey literature’) including CAD, and the collation of archives.

Richard has worked on community outreach projects for the East Riding Archaeological Society, the Roman Roads Research Association and Peturia Revisited.

Diarmaid Walshe VR, BBs (Hons), MA (Arch), PCGE

Diarmaid has been involved in archaeology since 1987 and has worked on sites in Ireland, France, Jordan and Egypt. 

He currently works on a freelance basis for a museum, monitoring metal detecting in the the EU.

Diarmaid has 26 years’ experience as a serving medical professional in the Royal Army Medical Services and is an SNCO overseeing administration and medical logistics. 

He is also a qualified teacher and is registered with the General Teaching Council.

Helen is the Associate Dean for Education, a senior lecturer in Archaeology and an academic advisor for High Hunsley DMV.

Helen is born and raised in Hull. After being subjected to many a family holiday visiting local antiquities, monasteries and castles, she studied archaeology at the University of York.

She worked on projects in York and Hull before joining the University of Hull in 1994 as part of the Humber Wetlands Project Team. She completed her part-time PhD in 2007, focusing on settlement development in the Lincolnshire Marsh, an offshoot of the Humber Wetlands Project.

Helen joined the Department of History in 2004 as a lecturer in Archaeology, and she was the school academic manager for Histories, Languages and Cultures between 2016-2019. She returned to her role as senior lecturer in Archaeology in 2019. In August 2021, Helen took on the role of associate dean for Education within the Faculty of Arts, Cultures and Education.

Her current research concentrates on the study of ancient and medieval landscapes. She is currently membership secretary for the Medieval Settlement Research Group and is working on ensuring the accessibility of the Medieval Village Research Group Archive.

Rianca Vogels BSc (Arch) (Hons), MA, MA (Arch) - Assistant Site Director

Rianca has worked as a site assistant and supervisor in a commercial setting for several years, starting in 2014, undertaking watching briefs, evaluations, full scale excavations, report writing and finds processing. 

Rianca has attended several research digs during her time at university, in the UK and in Tanzania, spanning  from the mesolithic to the 17th century. 

She has an interest in forensic archaeology, and is currently finishing a (second) Masters degree at Uppsala University in Sweden, focusing on the role of archaeology in Transitional Justice, Indigenous Archaeology and the Iron Age. 

Disa Lindholm BA (Arch & Ancient History), BA (Ancient Greek) - Supervisor

Disa is a 23-year-old student from Sweden who has just received her second Bachelor's degree from Uppsala University. 

Currently, she is applying to the Master's programme in Classics and Ancient Civilisations at Leiden university, where her majors will be Assyriology and Classics. 

Disa was one of the supervisors during  excavation in High Hunsley in 2023. In 2024, Disa took sole charge of one the main trenches at Huttons Ambo and oversaw the discovery of the 13th century masonry building

Outside of the academic world, her interests range from reading to all kinds of crafting (such as knitting, sewing and drawing) and taking long walks. She loves cabbage!

Melina Katsoulakis BA (History), MA (Global History)  Social Media Manager

Melina is a global historian/archaeologist and social media manager. She aims to make heritage work accessible and fun through modern technology and hopefully give followers an insight into the world of archaeology.

Melina's academic areas of interest are in minority groups in the global sphere, with research ranging from 5th Century BCE Spartan Women to 1960’s Pan-Africanism. Her current research is focussing on cultural migration within the Achaemenid Empire 6th Century BCE. 

Outside of this, Melina enjoys tennis, baking and film photography - though that doesn’t mean she’s good at any of it!

Dr Helen Fenwick - Academic Advisor

Alex Donaghy - Geo Physic Advisor

Alex holds a BA from York University and advises us on Geophysics, the field he works in full time.

He was a keen amateur archaeologist for a number of years prior to starting university, and was a member of a local heritage society in Lancashire.  It was here where he first got bitten by the ‘archaeology bug’.

While studying in York over the last couple of years, Alex has been lucky enough to attend a number of interesting excavations in Europe as well as in the UK.

He attended the initial High Hunsley excavation and lived on site for a month, helping to make the project success. Ethos Heritage was so impressed with his skills, dedication and way with the project participants, he was selected to be one of the main supervisors for this year’s project. Ethos is lucky to have him - but we have had to promise him mustard every day for his food. He loves mustard.

Outside of university studies, his interests include working with a local Scouting group, where he helps out as a young leader, as well as being a member of a number of societies at York University. He has also recently been awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Gold award.

Måns - Site Supervisor and Training

Måns is an archaeology student from Sweden and has studied at Uppsala University for the last couple of years.

He has recently completed a bachelor's degree in archaeology and has previously completed a bachelor's degree in ancient history.

During his studies, he learnt a lot about using modern techniques in archaeology such as GIS and GPS-systems.

He attended the dig at High Hunsley in 2023, where he stayed for two weeks digging the stone building in Trench 4 as well as helping out with the total station and GIS. In 2024, he was in charge of Trench 4 at Huttons Ambo and uncovered evidence of Romano British occupation.

He has also taken part in archaeological field schools in Sweden. He has a great interest in all things archaeology, from Viking-age sites and burials to the Roman and Greek world. He also has a special interest in numismatics and coinage. 

Outside of archaeology, he has a deep passion for cooking. In his spare time he also plays and watches football as well as playing lots of board games.

Sara Falk BA (Arch and Ancient History), MA (Classical Archaeology and Ancient History) - Supervisor

Sara is currently finishing up her Masters degree in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at Uppsala University, Sweden.

Her main areas of interest are Greek religion, Classical theatre, and the lived experiences of Greek and Roman women.

Sara stayed with Ethos Heritage during last year's excavation at High Hunsley and reprised her role this year as supervisor. After spending five weeks last summer digging, she took over one of the most complex trenches at Huttons Ambo and uncovered the massive building that surprised all of us.

When not studying, Sara spends whatever time is left reading (she is currently enjoying Good Omens), playing Dungeons and Dragons, or forcing baked goods onto people.

Having appointed herself as ‘the mom friend’, Sara has the bad habit of apologising for everything and staying horrendously optimistic. This often leads to questions such as ‘Why?’ and ‘Can you stop? It's freaking me out.’

Leon Corneille-Cowell - Finds Manager

Leon is  currently studying Historical Archaeology at the University of York as a mature student. He was the Finds Supervisor for High Hunsley DMV.

Over the past few years, he has taken part in several excavations around Yorkshire, including at East Heslerton, to help build up his skills and experience.

Over that time, Leon has developed a love (and talent) for working with and recording site finds. His work ethic and attention to detail ensure the finds are properly handled, packed and logged.  It was for this reason that Leon was appointed as Finds Supervisor for High Hunsley DMV; he took up a similar role at Huttons Ambo.

Leon is multi-talented. Before university, he worked for several years as a chef and continues to do so to help fund his studies.

Outside of archaeology, Leon is an avid reader. You’re likely to find him on site with a book in one hand and his amazing vegetarian food in the other.

Tobias Andreasson BA - Site Survey and Training

Tobias is currently in his final semester at Uppsala University, writing his MA thesis. Combining archaeology and folklore, he is studying the so-called cupmarks (or fairymills, as they are also known in Sweden). Tobias’ focus is on material archaeology from every age and on landscape analysis using GIS. 

Tobias’ field experience includes supervising a trench during a university field course and attending last year's dig at High Hunsley, where he oversaw the survey tasks. 

In 2024, at Huttons Ambo, he was in charge of surveying the site, teaching the participants survey methods (including how to use a Total Station) and undertaking geophysical investigation on-site. He also produced the GIS maps of the area. 

Outside of archaeology, Tobias’ interests and hobbies include folklore, all sorts of gaming (computer, board games, Dungeons and Dragons), puzzles and Lego.

Georgia Lee - Archaeological Illustrator

Born in Liverpool, Georgia is the archaeological illustrator at Ethos Heritage CIC. Currently studying Liberal Arts (specialising in Archaeology) at the University of Nottingham, Georgia has had the opportunity to combine both her artistic skills and her passion for archaeology by illustrating Ethos’ finds in highly accurate - and very beautiful - drawn depictions. 

As well as her archaeological illustrations, Georgia often likes to create oil paintings and other artwork in her free time. She recently enjoyed her debut exhibition: a series of oil paintings inspired by hedonism in her hometown in Liverpool.

As well as her artwork, Georgia is very passionate about music and enjoys collecting records, strumming the guitar and playing piano, which she has done for years. On-site, you will most likely find her with her music playing out loud and with a pen in her hand (or a piece of flint), drawing and dancing away.