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If you could switch places with one of the exhibits in the National Museum for a day, which one would it be – and why that one?

Probably none... Sitting in a display case all day, waiting to see if anyone notices me and takes a picture – that’s probably not for me (laughs).

Your professional journey led you from the Faculty of Arts at the University of West Bohemia to the National Museum in Prague. What was the decisive moment when you realized that anthropology was the field you wanted to pursue?

I don't think there was just one decisive moment – it was a gradual process. Throughout high school, I knew I wanted to study archaeology. But I changed my mind at the last minute and applied for social and cultural anthropology instead, because I liked the broader scope of the field. There wasn't such a specialized program available in Prague, where I’m from – but more importantly, I wanted to study somewhere other than Prague (laughs). So I applied to Pilsen and Brno, and Pilsen won. I lived there for a year, and then I commuted.

If you had to explain anthropology to a child or a layperson in one sentence, what would you say?

Anthropology is the science of humans in every sense of the word – it’s about the human body, its anatomy, how it functions and responds to its environment, and it’s also about the cultures and societies people create.

What is your role at the National Museum – what does your job entail, and what do you enjoy most about it?

People often imagine I walk around the museum with a feather duster, cleaning exhibits (laughs). I work at the Náprstek Museum as a curator. I manage collections from North America, the polar regions, as well as Australia and Oceania. I take care of these collections, publish and research them, prepare exhibitions and arrange loans to other institutions. I also work as an anthropologist on research expeditions. Along with my colleagues, I ensure that exhibits in the display and storage areas are in suitable conditions, properly stored, and documented so we know how they were used, and so on. I also lead guided tours for the public.

What research projects have you been involved in, and what topics or areas attract you the most as an anthropologist?

The biggest research I’ve participated in so far is an archaeological expedition to Wad Ben Naga in Sudan, where we study a former royal city of the Meroitic Empire. I serve as the expedition anthropologist – when human remains are found, it’s my job to recover and analyze them. I’ve also worked in Tuva in Siberia, in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

Together with my colleague Pavel Onderka, we’ve been running a long-term project on the study of ancient Egyptian mummies in Czech collections – not only in the National Museum but also at Buchlov Castle, Kynžvart Chateau, and other institutions. We examine the mummies using CT scans, then analyze them to learn everything we can about their lives and deaths – what illnesses they suffered from, how hard they worked, and so on. We're often lucky that the burial containers they rest in are inscribed, so we sometimes even know their names, their parents' names, and more. I read the bones; my colleague reads the coffins.

Is there a place or discovery that has personally moved you or changed your perspective on human history?

The long-term research in Sudan is particularly powerful – we spend weeks immersed in a completely different world. The Sudanese village where we live is a different world in itself, and the archaeological research is another layer of a completely different reality. One especially impactful discovery was a children’s cemetery with many carefully and sensitively buried remains. I’ve taken part in about ten research expeditions to Sudan, but our work is currently on hold due to the war. We hope it ends soon – not just for the sake of research, but for the well-being of our Sudanese colleagues and friends.

What advice would you give to anthropology students who are considering careers outside academia – in culture, NGOs, media, or museums?

If you don’t yet know what direction to take, don’t close any doors and look around – you never know where you might gain valuable experience. And gaining experience is the best thing you can do. If you already have a chosen path, pursue it. There might be some detours along the way. My journey to the Náprstek Museum wasn’t straightforward either, but I got there in the end, and all the experience I gained along the way proved useful.

What single word best describes the greatest benefit your studies at the Faculty of Arts gave you in your current career?

Versatility. The ability to navigate different fields and topics and to look at things from multiple perspectives.

What do you remember most fondly from your time at the University of West Bohemia?

Definitely student life in general – those were carefree years. And I must say we had truly engaging seminars. The whole program was interesting, and I appreciated the way the teachers tried to teach us to think critically and work with data – it was excellent preparation. I still enjoy coming back to the University of West Bohemia – I give lectures there, and I’m glad to see that students are just as curious today as we were back then.

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