Alliance Archaeology specialises in historical archaeology and historical land use research. Our directors have been working in archaeology and heritage management for an average of over 20 years and are experienced in undertaking large and small archaeological projects from start to finish, in consultation and co-operation with all relevant stakeholders.

We are a group of industry professionals who bring their collaborative expertise and extensive professional network to your heritage management project. We can offer clients a comprehensive, expert approach to heritage management that fulfils legislative requirements, produces archaeological and historical information of high quality, and completes projects to clients’ deadlines.

Alliance Archaeology has in-house specialists in areas such as archaeological excavation and survey, historical research, historical  and Aboriginal artefact analysis and faunal analysis, as well as staff experienced in GIS mapping for archaeology. Professional historians and writers form part of Alliance Archaeology’s staff team.

Recent major Alliance Archaeology projects include an investigation of the history of the Yarra Bend Asylum and a major excavation of some of the former asylum buildings at Yarra Bend Park (for Parks Victoria), excavations of early residential houses at the former Ryco Factory, Footscray (for Assemble Communities), assessments of Gabo Island (for Parks Victoria), the former John Kelly House (for Heritage Victoria), and the Walhalla township (for Heritage Victoria) as well as a historical archaeological research project for the Heritage Council, Victoria into nineteenth century land modifications to the Melbourne CBD and inner-city suburbs and the impact of these modifications on the archaeological record.

Our members belong to such organisations as the Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc., the Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology and the Professional Historians’ Association (WA).

We are always happy to help with explaining the archaeological consent and/or permit process. Please get in touch if we can assist.

Professional Affiliations / Qualifications

Three directors make up Alliance Archaeology’s core team – Catherine Tucker, Sharon Lane and Alyssa Gilchrist

Catherine Tucker – BA (Hons), Grad Dip Humanities (Archaeology)

Catherine has more than 20 years’ experience working as a professional archaeologist, predominantly in Victoria but also in Sydney and at the Port Arthur Historic site in Tasmania. While most of her career has been spent in private industry, Catherine has also taken up positions at Aboriginal Victoria (2016) and Heritage Victoria (2018-2019). Catherine specialises in historic investigations, is a highly-skilled excavation director, and has managed and directed investigations across the Melbourne metropolitan region and across Victoria.

Catherine regularly collaborates with various industry professionals and was a member (2009-2017) of two Heritage Council (Victoria) Advisory Committees for Historic Archaeology and Maritime Archaeology. She is also a member of the Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology (ASHA).

Sharon Lane – BA (Hons), Grad Dip Humanities (Archaeology), PhD (Archaeology)

In recent years Sharon has undertaken land-use and historical research and assessments of historical archaeological potential for numerous sites in the Melbourne CBD and other parts of Victoria and directed a number of historical archaeological excavations. She is a full member of the Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc (AACAI) and a member of the Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology (ASHA).

Alyssa Gilchrist – BA (Hons)

An experienced archaeologist and historian, Alyssa Gilchrist has been working in archaeological consulting and cultural heritage management in Australia since 2006.

Over the course of her career, Alyssa has undertaken a wide variety of archaeological and historical work for a variety of clients including State and Local Government, Industry (Mining and Construction), Professional (Architects and other Heritage Consultancies) and Non- profit organisations (such as Historical Societies). Alyssa’s work in this role has ranged from carrying out detailed historical research and reporting, to archaeological survey, to directing Aboriginal and post-contact historical archaeological salvage excavations.

In recent years, Alyssa has undertaken collections management projects which involved assessing and making plans for the management of historical document and artefact collections held by non-profit organisations. Alyssa has formal qualifications in Australian archaeology and history, and is experienced in project and business management, archaeological fieldwork, historical research, artefact analysis and report production. Alyssa is a member of the Professional Historians Association of WA.