Molly Masterson

PhD in Archaeology from Keble College, University of Oxford specialising in Prehistoric Britain and the Fens

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

The thesis is such a strange thing, in that you’ve been writing it for 3 years and then on a random Tuesday before lunch, you just finish it

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

When your thesis reaches 55,545 words and you consider just adding 10 more words for consistency…

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

Why I study the Fens:

[Cambridge Archaeological Unit @CambridgeUnit]

The section of Must Farm contained dozens of large preserved fallen trees that died when the landscape transitioned from dry to waterlogged as sea levels changed. By analysing the wood, we hope to date this change more accurately and understand the environmental shift.

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

Always inspiring to see friends doing exciting archaeology! @MAKirkpatrick95

[Meg Kirkpatrick @MAKirkpatrick95]

Excited to be working with the Commonwealth Heritage Forum&World Monuments Fund in Hyderabad for the next fortnight in my new role as Policy&Comms Consultant with the CHF. Follow our progress @CWHeritageForum @WorldMonuments @HamishOgstonFdn

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

Grateful, as always, to be a member of @KebleOxford!

[Keble College, Oxford @KebleOxford]

"Oxford was a completely new world for me, but from day one onwards, I found myself within a welcoming, supportive, and friendly community at Keble." Molly Masterson (MPhil and DPhil Archaeology 2018) https://t.co/H2Vpc7qX6G 📷@FranMonks #PortraitFriday

[Archaeological Review from Cambridge @arc_review_cam]

Paper Spotlight ARC 37.2:

Molly Masterson considers how plants are able to add to and expand our considerations of aesthetics within archaeology. By delving into the vegetal world, we can explore a range of new and interesting experiences alongside plants in the past.

[Archaeological Review from Cambridge @arc_review_cam]

We are excited to reveal the cover of our upcoming Volume 37.2: Aesthetics, Sensory Skills & Archaeology
The cover features a photograph by Robert McCabe showing two women weavers at work on Santorini in the 1960s #archaeology #aesthetics #sensory #weaving

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

Concerned that the best part of my thesis is the chapter I wrote drugged-up on cold medicine while covid-infected 🦠

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

Thesis word count: 25,278
Officially the longest thing I’ve ever written. Only 50,000 to go!

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

@MartheGoudsmit I use Tomato 2🍅 Works like a charm and you can set different lengths for breaks!

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

My (first-ever) review of the great Francis Pryor's book was published a few weeks ago. Always an exciting first step for a young Archaeologist!

Find it on the @CurrentArchaeo website:
https://t.co/NrKHdeXulg

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

@archae_delle Can confirm, you are officially plantified! Once you see it, you find it everywhere🌿😍

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

The new title of my thesis will be “IDK people just want to be trees”. Thanks for the inspiration @archae_delle 😅🌳🌿

[Dr! Adelle Bricking @archae_delle]

Good morning, family. Today I am thinking about how folks in the Bronze and Iron Ages would cremate people in tree throws using wood from a specific old tree, and how people today really want to be turned into trees when we die…idk it’s like we really just want to be trees lol

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

At the stage where I'm using plot lines in Downton Abbey to get through the day:

'If lady Mary can sit through a meeting about farms 6 months after her husband died the same day her son was born, then I can answer questions about my thesis'

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

I'll skim through a book and get a bad vibe about the author, but can't quite place it. Then I'll flip to page 1 and he says something sexist and I am immediately validated.

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

Best part of a PhD is being really tired after a long day of writing but not being able to fall asleep because you spent the entire day staring at a screen with zero exercise👍

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

@evan_wynne15 No actually but don’t tell

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

Oxford uni students should either boycott the Wonka film or get free tickets for compensation for these disruptions.

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

Me: it’s important to be professional
Also me: uses the term ‘planty’ in formal writing

[Molly Masterson @MollyJMasterson]

@susannah_bain Best news I've had all week <3