Meet Hinason! Joining us this week all the way from Weihai in Shandong Province, China, Hinason will be working with us on our educational programme this summer.

After finishing an undergraduate courses in International Business in China, Hinason went to the University of Sheffield to study an MSc in Creative and Cultural Industries. During her course, Hinason discovered a passion for the past. Here at DigVentures, Hinason’s adventures in archaeology can really begin!

While she’s with us, Hinason will be using her enthusiasm, creativity and specialised knowledge to help us develop our educational offering, learn more about archaeology, find out what it’s like to work in the UK, develop her knowledge of different research methods, and maybe even teach us a thing or two about Chinese social media!

We’re so excited to have Hinason on board! So we asked a few questions to help you get to know her.

So, Hinason, how did you get into archaeology?

I first came to the UK in 2012 to study for an MSc Management in Creative and Cultural Industries. I arrived 3 days before the Olympics and just 2 days before my course started!

We had three optional modules we could choose from, and my favourite was Heritage, Place and Community – our tutor showed us around Sheffield and explained the history, started telling stories, of the buildings around us… and that’s really what sparked my interest in archaeology.

What is it about archaeology that really gets you excited?

It’s exciting to know about the past and different lifestyles, and to remember that people really were quite clever… we think it’s already difficult enough, but what about our ancestors thousands of years ago? Imagine trying to survive without all our high technology – just with what you have available!

Is there anything special about doing archaeology here in the UK?

I probably wouldn’t have the same opportunity in China. Most experts prefer someone who already has specialised knowledge – over there, there’s no opportunity for people like me who have just discovered archaeology and want to bring their skills to the field.

And what are you most looking forward to?

If everything goes quite well, we can bring the team to China!

Are you reading anything at the moment?

Doctor Who! I just bought it from a second hand bookshop – just 99p!

What else do you do in your spare time?

I love sports – for the last two weeks I’ve been watching the commonwealth games. I love going swimming or running or cycling… and table tennis!

Thanks Hinason! We can’t wait to get cracking!