About Me

I’m George Ellison, a zooarchaeologist skilled in the identification and interpretation of mammal, bird, fish, and marine mollusc remains, with particular specialisms in fish and microfauna. I work across commercial, academic, and community projects, and bring experience from a wide range of assemblages spanning the Prehistoric to Post-Medieval periods and covering sites from southern England to the Northern Isles of Scotland. I hold an MSc in Zooarchaeology (Distinction) from the University of York.

I’m especially interested in how detailed faunal analysis—particularly of fish and microvertebrates—can illuminate environmental conditions, resource use, and daily life in past communities. Whether I’m working with highly fragmentary remains from soil samples or larger, well-preserved assemblages dominated by domestic mammals, I take a thorough approach that prioritises clarity, accuracy, and effective communication. My aim is to produce work that is easily understood, scientifically robust, and meaningfully contributes to the wider interpretation of a site.

Experience

I have worked on more than 30 zooarchaeological assemblages, undertaking assessment, analysis, and reporting for projects across Britain. My experience spans commercial, academic, and community-led projects, giving me the flexibility to work with a wide range of project aims, methodologies, and timescales.

I have assessed and analysed a wide range of assemblages from rural, urban, and coastal sites, often incorporating taphonomic and stratigraphic complexity, and I ensure that my reports are delivered efficiently, accurately, and in a format that meets the practical needs of commercial clients.

My grey literature and other publications can be found here.

Qualifications and Memberships

Qualifications:

2024-2025 - MSc Zooarchaeology (Distinction) - University of York.
2021-2024 - BA (Hons) Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic (Class I) - University of Cambridge.

Professional Memberships:

I am a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (FSAScot) and a member of:

Historic England Professional Zooarchaeology Group
International Council for Archaeozoology (ICAZ)
ICAZ Microvertebrate Working Group
ICAZ Fish Remains Working Group
ICAZ Archaeomalacology Working Group
Historic England Archaeobotanical Work Group

Google Sites

Report abuse