"I didn’t think a career in the arts was possible for someone like me – but I’m following my dream"

After the disruption of the pandemic, Keshlan Padayachee decided it was now or never – and left his career in engineering to pursue a degree in archaeology.

“I thought following this path could bring me happiness. It turns out I’m really good at it, which is a fantastic surprise,” he said.

Keshlan is so good at it in fact, that after gaining a first class honours in Ancient History and Archaeology at Cardiff University, he has been offered a Clarendon Scholarship at Oxford’s Wolfson College, taking him one step closer to his dream of becoming an academic in the field of archaeology.

The 33-year-old was born in South Africa, and was the first member of his family to attend a non-racially segregated school in South Africa.

“Throughout my formative years, I faced numerous challenges because of the colour of my skin,” he explained. “I’ve always had a strong interest in history and archaeology. However, it was clear that there was a noticeable absence of representation and opportunities for individuals who looked like me to pursue careers in these fields. The significance of representation cannot be emphasised enough. Consequently, I focused on the sciences and pursued a career as an industrial engineer as it appeared to offer a more viable path.”

“I spent time working in Portugal and France before moving to the UK. After experiencing lockdown, I came to appreciate the significance of pursuing one’s passion. It was a big leap for me, having only ever been involved in the sciences. Prior to attending Cardiff University, I had never even written an essay!”

He has already carried out archaeological digs and placements in Wiltshire and Denmark. His discoveries from the digs in Wiltshire were showcased in an exhibition at the Salisbury Museum alongside other significant finds. He shared his passion and insights with the public, highlighting the rich history of the area and the significance of the finds.

Last year, he explored Pompeii and Rome after receiving an award from the Society of Dilettanti, which supported his research. This summer, he will be involved in new opportunities to further advance his archaeological work.

Keshlan, who starts an MSt in Classical Archaeology at Oxford University in the autumn, added: “I was an engineer for a portion of my adult life. However, I've come to realise that one’s path isn't bound to a single role indefinitely. Life is a continuous journey of change, offering the freedom to evolve alongside it. It unfolds through many stages, and can be shaped into anything you dream it to be.”