Reconstructing Prehistoric Exchange of Volcanic Glasses in Far East Russia. This project examines competing theories to explain the causes for volcanic glass movement up to 700 kilometres from its source, in Far East Russia 18,000 years ago. As the earliest evidence in the world for long distance overland movement of materials, this case represents a significant innovation within human evolution. The project combines studies of production and consumption to test competing theories to explain wh ....Reconstructing Prehistoric Exchange of Volcanic Glasses in Far East Russia. This project examines competing theories to explain the causes for volcanic glass movement up to 700 kilometres from its source, in Far East Russia 18,000 years ago. As the earliest evidence in the world for long distance overland movement of materials, this case represents a significant innovation within human evolution. The project combines studies of production and consumption to test competing theories to explain why and how volcanic glass was transported. Analyses of geological outcrops, quarries/workshops, and locations of artifact use and discard over a large region enable a comprehensive reconstruction of changing patterns of behaviour between 18,000-2500 bp.Read moreRead less
The Taphonomy of Waterhole Faunal Death Assemblages: A model for Archaeological Contexts in the Australian Semi-Arid Zone. The fossil record provides key insights into factors governing the long term survival and distribution of animal populations. As people and climate change have been implicated in the reconfiguration of species' habitats through time, the fossil record has direct relevance to current issues of modern faunal extinctions and biodiversity. Robust interpretative frameworks develo ....The Taphonomy of Waterhole Faunal Death Assemblages: A model for Archaeological Contexts in the Australian Semi-Arid Zone. The fossil record provides key insights into factors governing the long term survival and distribution of animal populations. As people and climate change have been implicated in the reconfiguration of species' habitats through time, the fossil record has direct relevance to current issues of modern faunal extinctions and biodiversity. Robust interpretative frameworks developed in this study will provide an essential foundation to the investigation and understanding of past populations and environment.Read moreRead less
Predicting the Past: Time, Landscape and Indigenous Australian History. Three major benefits accrue from our study of the distribution of Australian Aboriginal archaeology. Because we emphasise changes in the nature of this record through time and across space, we allow for the development of a richer Aboriginal history. Our concern with studying not only why the record is preserved in some places but also why it is absent from others allows for an improved assessment of archaeological significa ....Predicting the Past: Time, Landscape and Indigenous Australian History. Three major benefits accrue from our study of the distribution of Australian Aboriginal archaeology. Because we emphasise changes in the nature of this record through time and across space, we allow for the development of a richer Aboriginal history. Our concern with studying not only why the record is preserved in some places but also why it is absent from others allows for an improved assessment of archaeological significance and hence better management of Aboriginal material culture. Finally, we emphasise the dynamic nature of human-environment interactions demonstrating that in the past as in the present neither culture nor nature can be seen as predominant.Read moreRead less
The impact of cultural contact between China and the Ancient Mediterranean World. The project which is part of a large international project aims to investigate the evidence for cultural contact between Rome and China and draws on material which has not been properly studied. Some of this material is of great artistic value (esp. Manichaean manuscripts) and has already attracted the attention of national media (newspapers, radio and TV). The project will help strengthen research ties between th ....The impact of cultural contact between China and the Ancient Mediterranean World. The project which is part of a large international project aims to investigate the evidence for cultural contact between Rome and China and draws on material which has not been properly studied. Some of this material is of great artistic value (esp. Manichaean manuscripts) and has already attracted the attention of national media (newspapers, radio and TV). The project will help strengthen research ties between the Social Science Academy of China and the Australian Academy of the Humanities. It will also heighten academic interest among ethnic groups: Chinese, Assyrian, Turkish and Iranian in cross-cultural contacts through exhibitions. Read moreRead less
China and the ancient Mediterranean world. The project which is part of a large international project aims to investigate the evidence for cultural contact between Rome and China and draws on material which has not been properly studied. Some of this material is of great artistic value (esp. Manichaean illuminated manuscripts) and has already attracted the attention of national media (newspapers, radio and TV). The project will also help strengthen research ties between the Social Science Academ ....China and the ancient Mediterranean world. The project which is part of a large international project aims to investigate the evidence for cultural contact between Rome and China and draws on material which has not been properly studied. Some of this material is of great artistic value (esp. Manichaean illuminated manuscripts) and has already attracted the attention of national media (newspapers, radio and TV). The project will also help strengthen research ties between the Social Science Academy of China and the Australian Academy of the Humanities. It will also heighten academic interest among ethnic groups: Chinese, Assyrian, Turkish and Iranian in cross-cultural contacts.Read moreRead less
Mission and Inculturation: the Manichaean and Nestorian experience in China - a textual, iconographical and epigraphical investigation. The project aims to investigate the introduction of two 'Western' religions, Manichaeism and Nestorian Christianity, into China through textual and archaeological evidence. The project will explore important multi-cultural aspects such as theological inculturation and artistic synthesis. The iconographical material from South China is both unique and of great ar ....Mission and Inculturation: the Manichaean and Nestorian experience in China - a textual, iconographical and epigraphical investigation. The project aims to investigate the introduction of two 'Western' religions, Manichaeism and Nestorian Christianity, into China through textual and archaeological evidence. The project will explore important multi-cultural aspects such as theological inculturation and artistic synthesis. The iconographical material from South China is both unique and of great artistic value and has already attracted the attention of national media (newspapers, radio and TV).Read moreRead less
Manichaean and Medieval Christian (Nestorian and Catholic) remains in Quanzhou (S. China) - an epigraphical, iconographical and historical investigation. This is a UNESCO-sponsored project, conducting research into Manichaean and Christian missionary activities around the port city of Quanzhou (Zaitun) in the 12th and 13th centuries. The research is being conducted in conjunction with the Quanzhou Museum of Maritime Contacts, and the results will be published for the Museum in a catalogue of Sy ....Manichaean and Medieval Christian (Nestorian and Catholic) remains in Quanzhou (S. China) - an epigraphical, iconographical and historical investigation. This is a UNESCO-sponsored project, conducting research into Manichaean and Christian missionary activities around the port city of Quanzhou (Zaitun) in the 12th and 13th centuries. The research is being conducted in conjunction with the Quanzhou Museum of Maritime Contacts, and the results will be published for the Museum in a catalogue of Syro-Turkish inscriptions and sepulchral monuments. The catalogue will be accompanied by the first monograph in English on this topic, as well as by interim reports and articles.Read moreRead less