Brian Shanahan
Senior Associate – Team Leader Geospatical and Digital Heritage
“I’ve been immersed in archaeology and history since childhood when castles were my playground, so it’s always been deeply ingrained, the physical presence of the past. I’m lucky to have built a career working with my passion.”
Brian Shanahan is the Team Leader of Extent’s Geospatial and Digital Heritage Team, and Associate Director. As an archaeologist with over 20 years of experience Brian has led multi-disciplinary teams on both research and development-led projects nationally and internationally. Brian’s particular expertise lie in the analysis and recording of complex cultural landscapes.
Brian Shanahan is a historical archaeologist and geospatial specialist with over twenty years’ experience. His particular expertise involves the mapping, analysis and visualisations of historic and cultural landscapes using a range of interdisciplinary techniques. He has particular interest in historical cartography, enhanced site recording using photogrammetry and laser scanning and analysis of archaeological evidence data for GIS. He also uses 3D modelling and spatial visualisation techniques to analyse and visualise complex archaeological sites, landforms and stratigraphy. Brian has previously been approved by HNSW to direct historical archaeological sites of local significance, and as part of the process prepared a number of historical archaeological assessments research designs and post excavation reports.
He has worked as a site supervisor and surveyor on Metro-related archaeological excavations including Pitt Street, Blues Point and Barangaroo. He also supervised the exposure, excavation and recording of parts of the Parramatta town drain, earlier creek and associated landforms.