The Silk Roads in the Bronze Age: critical links between Eurasia and China. The early rise of China's great civilization owed its rapid momentum to important technological innovations that were brought in from the far distant Eurasian steppes, but almost nothing is known of how or why this process took place. The project aims to explore these questions through excavations at one of China's most important Bronze Age archaeological sites in western Xinjiang. The innovations include the cultivation ....The Silk Roads in the Bronze Age: critical links between Eurasia and China. The early rise of China's great civilization owed its rapid momentum to important technological innovations that were brought in from the far distant Eurasian steppes, but almost nothing is known of how or why this process took place. The project aims to explore these questions through excavations at one of China's most important Bronze Age archaeological sites in western Xinjiang. The innovations include the cultivation of wheat and barley, complex metallurgical techniques in bronze, silver and gold, the domesticated horse and the spoke-wheeled chariot, which became a universal weapon of war across the ancient world. The project aims to test theories of cultural transmission through interactive GIS modelling of environment and land use potential.Read moreRead less
The political dynamics of Deng Xiaoping's leadership of China, 1979-1992. This project examines a crucial stage in the transformation of China from a backward socio-economic situation to a dynamic economic and political power. Deng Xiaoping was the most significant figure in this transformation, but the political dynamics of his leadership are imperfectly understood. This study will correct those misunderstandings.
Settlement patterns, craft production, and the rise of early states in China. This project is an international, multidisciplinary archaeological program focused on monitoring the processes which led to the rise of early states in China, through extensive study of settlement patterns in the Yiluo valley, using regional surveys and geoarchaeological investigations. It will make significant contributions in four aspects: evaluation and reformulation of general theoretical and methodological approac ....Settlement patterns, craft production, and the rise of early states in China. This project is an international, multidisciplinary archaeological program focused on monitoring the processes which led to the rise of early states in China, through extensive study of settlement patterns in the Yiluo valley, using regional surveys and geoarchaeological investigations. It will make significant contributions in four aspects: evaluation and reformulation of general theoretical and methodological approaches to the interdisciplinary study of social complexity; enhanced understanding of Chinese cultural history in the light of anthropological theory; articulation of empirical approaches to the study of Chinese civilisation through archaeology; and strengthened collaborative research between archaeologists in Australia and other parts of the world.Read moreRead less
Acheulian to Middle Stone Age transition at Amanzi Springs, South Africa. This project aims to excavate and date the Amanzi Springs archaeological complex. From 600 to 300,000 years ago, Acheulian stone tool technology, defined by large generalised cutting tools, changed to a Middle Stone Age industry dominated by smaller, specialised technology (points/blades). This transition is poorly defined throughout Africa due to lack of layered archaeological sites at high resolution that can be dated. T ....Acheulian to Middle Stone Age transition at Amanzi Springs, South Africa. This project aims to excavate and date the Amanzi Springs archaeological complex. From 600 to 300,000 years ago, Acheulian stone tool technology, defined by large generalised cutting tools, changed to a Middle Stone Age industry dominated by smaller, specialised technology (points/blades). This transition is poorly defined throughout Africa due to lack of layered archaeological sites at high resolution that can be dated. The project will provide a detailed record of changes in technology across the Early to Middle Stone Age transition. The project could increase our understanding of the climatological, ecological and biological processes that shaped our shared ancestry.Read moreRead less
Archaeology in the central Caucasus: investigations at Samatvro and Tchkantiskedi. This archaeological project is the strongest Australian cultural link with the Republic of Georgia, a developing country of considerable strategic importance that borders Russia. A study of Georgia's past heritage will provide a deeper understanding of its contemporary social diversity and complex geographical situation.
Archaeology of the Gulf Province Lowlands, Papua New Guinea. This project involves international collaboration between PNG, French, US, Canadian & Australian researchers, and thus contributes to constructive international links between these countries. These collaborations are at local community and national institutional levels, and involve mutual participation in field and laboratory research. They also provide opportunities for numerous PNG and Australian archaeology students to gain valuable ....Archaeology of the Gulf Province Lowlands, Papua New Guinea. This project involves international collaboration between PNG, French, US, Canadian & Australian researchers, and thus contributes to constructive international links between these countries. These collaborations are at local community and national institutional levels, and involve mutual participation in field and laboratory research. They also provide opportunities for numerous PNG and Australian archaeology students to gain valuable fieldwork experience and training in archaeological methods and in working in partner relationships involving scientific researchers and Indigenous communities. This research will contribute to National Identity in investigating prehistoric cultural links with PNG at NE Australia's doorstep.Read moreRead less
The influence of conflict and migration on adaptation. This project will develop and test theories about the ways in which violent conflict and migration influence the capacity to adapt to climate changed using case studies from Fiji, Timor-Leste, and Tuvalu.
A study of the archaeology of Caucasian Iberia with implications for grazing management in Australia. This multi-disciplinary project will promote a younger generation of talented postgraduate and undergraduate students in a wide variety of fields, including archaeology, geomatic engineering, conservation of material culture, environmental and other natural sciences. The highlands of the Caucasus, located in a bioclimatic zone with a long history of alpine grazing, can also provide answers to qu ....A study of the archaeology of Caucasian Iberia with implications for grazing management in Australia. This multi-disciplinary project will promote a younger generation of talented postgraduate and undergraduate students in a wide variety of fields, including archaeology, geomatic engineering, conservation of material culture, environmental and other natural sciences. The highlands of the Caucasus, located in a bioclimatic zone with a long history of alpine grazing, can also provide answers to questions such as the effect of grazing on biodiversity and the rehabilitation of fragile ecosystems, which may inform management and conservation activities in analogous highland country in Australia. The project will also ensure that exhibitions illustrating the rich heritage of Caucasus will reach Australian shores.Read moreRead less
The origins of Asian domestic buffalo and its role in the development of agricultural technology. Benefits for Australia are educational, cultural and scientific. This project will enhance research collaborations between Australian universities and research institutions in China, Canada, the USA and India. It will particularly create more opportunities for academic exchange between Australia and China. This project employs new methods combining archaeology with DNA technology and archaeometry to ....The origins of Asian domestic buffalo and its role in the development of agricultural technology. Benefits for Australia are educational, cultural and scientific. This project will enhance research collaborations between Australian universities and research institutions in China, Canada, the USA and India. It will particularly create more opportunities for academic exchange between Australia and China. This project employs new methods combining archaeology with DNA technology and archaeometry to tackle important issues in animal domestication and agricultural technology in many Asian regions. Its outcome will make a significant contribution to our knowledge of the human history of our region and the world.Read moreRead less
Australian research at Pessinus, sacral city of Cybele, the great mother goddess: myth and reality. This international multi-disciplinary project to investigate ancient Pessinus in modern Turkey will enrich the standing of Australia in the world as one of the foremost countries in the study of Anatolian and classical archaeology. It offers an exceptional opportunity for Australian students to learn and experience archaeology in the field alongside their peers and scholars of international reputa ....Australian research at Pessinus, sacral city of Cybele, the great mother goddess: myth and reality. This international multi-disciplinary project to investigate ancient Pessinus in modern Turkey will enrich the standing of Australia in the world as one of the foremost countries in the study of Anatolian and classical archaeology. It offers an exceptional opportunity for Australian students to learn and experience archaeology in the field alongside their peers and scholars of international reputation from several countries. The multi-ethnic character of the site will form a good ancient parallel for the diversity of modern-day Australia. The project will advance Australian-Turkish cultural contacts and potentially deepen economic relations through encouraging tourism to a new part of TurkeyRead moreRead less