Marissa Toner

Project preventive conservator and team lead

• Led the relocation, packing, transport, conservation and rehousing of over 10,000 Natural History specimens.
• Developed and implemented preventive conservation strategies, risk assessments, SOPs, and Integrated Pest Management procedures.
• Coordinated multidisciplinary teams and project resources to deliver a large-scale museum decant project on schedule.
• Maintained complete documentation and specimen traceability throughout the project lifecycle.
• Achieved zero loss or damage during relocation while ensuring compliance with museum and conservation standards.

Pre excavation, excavation and post excavation supervisor

• Supervised the processing, review, and management of archaeological records, including site documentation and excavation reports.
• Managed the processing, recording, and preservation of archaeological finds and coordinated environmental sampling programmes and strategies.
• Conducted site stratigraphic analysis and interpretation, including Harris matrix production, site sequence assessment, and evaluation of archaeological significance.
• Co-authored desk based assessments including pre excavation Archaeological Impact Assessments (AIA), excavation reports, preparing baseline data using GIS, methodologies, results and mitigation recommendations.
• Ensured compliance with heritage legislation, excavation licences, planning conditions, and archival requirements.
• Prepared archive reports and coordinated the deposition of archaeological records and finds with relevant repositories.
• Organised and maintained paper and digital archives, ensuring records and finds met repository and archival standards.
• Contributed to publication outputs and the dissemination of archaeological project results.

Senior site assistant

• Excavated and recorded archaeological features, burials, and excavation areas of both a cemetery and industrial site to professional standards.
• Supported the Site Director with day-to-day site and project operations.
• Managed the post-excavation office and coordinated the processing of burials and finds.
• Maintained and updated excavation records and project registers.
• Processed, labelled, bagged, and curated skeletal remains.
• Undertook environmental sample processing, including flotation and macro-botanical recovery.
• Ensured accurate documentation and compliance with project methodologies.
• Combined fieldwork and post-excavation responsibilities to support project delivery.

Site assistant and assistant post-excavation supervisor

• Worked on a large-scale, multi-period urban excavation at Chancery Lane, Dublin, investigating archaeological deposits dating from the 9th to the 20th century.
• Excavated, recorded, and interpreted archaeological features and deposits in accordance with professional and regulatory standards.
• Provided project support to site leadership, contributing to the successful delivery of excavation and post-excavation programmes.
• Supervised and undertook the processing, classification, and documentation of artefacts and bulk finds, including ceramics, leather, metal, glass, faunal remains, antler, horn, and environmental samples.
• Conducted artefact research and analysis to establish chronology, function, and archaeological significance.
• Prepared finds for museum accession through conservation, labelling, cataloguing, and documentation.
• Maintained project registers, databases, and archaeological records, ensuring data accuracy and traceability.
• Managed the cataloguing, storage, and preparation of archaeological archives and collections for deposition in accordance with repository standards.

Earlier Professional Experience (2005–2020)
Following completion of the MA in Archaeology in 2005, I worked for a number of commercial archaeology companies as both a field archaeologist and heritage consultant. During this period, I participated in a wide range of rural and urban archaeological excavations, undertaking excavation, recording, survey, and post-excavation duties across sites of varying scale and complexity. During the economic downturn, I continued to work in heritage consultancy while pursuing further scientific study with a view to entering the museum conservation sector. This period broadened my expertise in archaeological fieldwork, heritage management, research, and conservation principles.