In 2011, I began studying archaeology part time. By 2012, I knew I was hooked and at the beginning of 2013, I resigned from work to study full time at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia. I finished my Master of Archaeology at the end of 2014. And–living the dream–I started a PhD in March 2015.
My research focuses on the remains of a nineteenth century Irish settlement called Baker’s Flat, about 70 kilometres north of Adelaide near the town of Kapunda. This blog is a bit of an experiment – trying to capture thoughts and deeds as I work through the project.
I’m from Ireland but I live in Adelaide.
The blog name comes from a song by the great Christy Moore. It’s called Don’t Forget Your Shovel and you can listen to it at this YouTube clip.
You can contact me on email: sarthure at ozemail.com.au (replace at with @, no spaces).
Or find me on ResearchGate and Academia.edu.
Susan Arthure
Susan Arthure, in the field, in a field
Don't forget your shovel 
Excellent blog,Susan. Discovered it from a link shared by Barbara Barclay on Twitter and will be delighted to follow. My family are big archaeology and history fans! happy New Year!
What a lovely comment. Thank you and welcome. I’ve just checked out your blog too, looks really interesting.
Thought this might be up your street, Irish/Adelaide/19thC mayoorphangirls.weebly.com/
Thank you, you’re absolutely right, it is up my street!
Hi Susan, I came over to check out the competition, and congrats on being a finalist in the Blog Awards. (If you didn’t see it, they were announced on Snapchat today.) I have a feeling I’ve heard your name before – did you by any chance work in an e-learning company in Dublin in a former life?!
Hello! I didn’t see it, that’s good news. And yes I did work in an e-learning company in Dublin in a former life, in the 1990s. Will email you.
Hi Susan
I’m a great granddaughter of Catherine Driscoll, that woman of evil intent who was arrested at Baker’s Flat. Can I have your permission to print a copy of your thesis as three generations of the Driscolls lived there? Apparently Uncle Pat Driscoll was going to leave that land to my father til he did something wrong. I’m having trouble reading pages and comparing maps online so I’d like to get it printed. When I head up to Kapunda it feels like home, and I visit the family out at St Johns cemetery. I have a photo of Catherine if you’re interested.
Hi Heather
How interesting. I would love to see a photo of Catherine, the Driscolls had a big impact in Baker’s Flat. And yes, it is fine to print a copy of the thesis. I’ll email you privately. Susan
Hi Susan, I really enjoyed reading back through all your blogs and other publications too. I found it interesting to read about the Irish living in the Baker’s Flat community, as I have been investigating some early German immigrants in an area not too far away from there. I look forward to hearing about any of your further adventures. Carmen.
P.s I’ve found plenty of those blue patterned shards if you need to fill any gaps in yours! Lol. I’ve not attempted to fit mine together yet.
Hi Carmen, lovely to hear from you, Yes, the investigations of the Irish on Baker’s Flat continue – it’s such an interesting area and time to be researching, as you’ve found with your own stuff. cheers Susan
Hi Susan, I have long admired your work on the Irish community at Baker’s Flat near Kapunda. My great-great Grandfather Thomas Hayes bought land near St John’s Church, Kapunda in 1858. My Irish ancestral roots are in this area. I am so pleased I have found your blog and look forward to following your work.
Hi Bernadette, my apologies for only just seeing your comment this evening. I’ve neglected my poor blog over the last few months. But lovely to make contact with you. Susan
Hi Susan, Thank you for all your wonderful research on Baker’s Flat and your interesting blog. The biographical index of SA have my ggg grandparents (James Casey and Elizabeth O’Dwyer and their 2 children John and Maria from County Clare) listed as living there. I know very little about my ancestors but your work has given me some insight into their early life in Australia. I look forward to following your research. Once again thanks.
Hi Ann-Maree. I’m always interested to hear about people’s ancestors on Baker’s Flat. I haven’t come across the Caseys/O’Dwyer names on Baker’s Flat before, so that is fanatastic. Thanks! Susan
Thank you for your interesting post on the Church of St Dymphna in Adelaide – I’ve been researching this interesting Saint – in particular I am trying to locate a stained glass window of her – but sad to say that I have not be able to find a church dedicated to her in NSW or any stained glass window!
Can you please tell me if there was a stained glass window of St Dymphna within the church in Adelaide? I am trying to find one in NSW and again – not having any luck.
Looking forward to your reply.
Regards Rita
Hi Rita, I’ve had a look at my photos and an article that was printed in the Journal of the Diocese of Port Pirie about the church at Booborowie. No stained glass windows of St Dymphna, and I certainly don’t recall any, I feel sure we would have noticed. Sorry I can’t help, and good luck with your research! Susan