The colonial souvenir market and Indigenous agency in Oceania. This project focuses on the objects from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century which were sold as Indigenous 'curios' to the general public through a Sydney museum. While much of the literature on collecting has focused on the role of institutional collecting the project examines popular objects which the general public purchased. This project will contribute to the growing importance of research into colonialism in the reg ....The colonial souvenir market and Indigenous agency in Oceania. This project focuses on the objects from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century which were sold as Indigenous 'curios' to the general public through a Sydney museum. While much of the literature on collecting has focused on the role of institutional collecting the project examines popular objects which the general public purchased. This project will contribute to the growing importance of research into colonialism in the region, drawing together the results of research from the fields of archaeology, anthropology and material culture studies.Read moreRead less
Producers and Collectors: Uncovering the Role of Indigenous Agency in the Formation of Museum Collections. The research will make a significant contribution to Australian and world scholarship, show the innovation and leadership of Australian scholars in the study of museum collections, and promote goodwill and better diplomacy with Australia's nearest neighbours in PNG. Through examining the history of social relations between Papua New Guineans and 'outsiders' in a region that has long been t ....Producers and Collectors: Uncovering the Role of Indigenous Agency in the Formation of Museum Collections. The research will make a significant contribution to Australian and world scholarship, show the innovation and leadership of Australian scholars in the study of museum collections, and promote goodwill and better diplomacy with Australia's nearest neighbours in PNG. Through examining the history of social relations between Papua New Guineans and 'outsiders' in a region that has long been the focus of Australian interests, the project will contribute to the National Priority' Understanding our region and the world'. By unlocking information about the origin and history of ethnographic collections from Australia's oldest museum, their cultural significance will be shared more widely.
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A mechanism to authenticate porcelain treasures from the Yuan-Ming dynasties (1260-1644 AD) in China. Jingdezhen wares were the most widely exported of all Chinese porcelains with worldwide distribution and representation in ancient sites and museum collections, including many in Australia. They are often auctioned at high prices (e.g. £15.68 million for one Yuan dynasty blue-and-white jar in 2005), but their authenticity is often controversial, leading to lawsuits and attracting public interest ....A mechanism to authenticate porcelain treasures from the Yuan-Ming dynasties (1260-1644 AD) in China. Jingdezhen wares were the most widely exported of all Chinese porcelains with worldwide distribution and representation in ancient sites and museum collections, including many in Australia. They are often auctioned at high prices (e.g. £15.68 million for one Yuan dynasty blue-and-white jar in 2005), but their authenticity is often controversial, leading to lawsuits and attracting public interest. The chemical database from this research will enable unequivocal authentication of Jingdezhen porcelain prevailing world antique markets, allowing treasures to be sorted out of trashes. The project strengthens links with China, UK, USA and Japan. It greatly enhances knowledge base about China, which is having increasing interaction with Australia.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150100756
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,034.00
Summary
New light on Cambodia’s Dark Age (1350 - 1750). This project aims to conduct the first systematic archaeological investigations of Cambodian Middle Period capitals on the banks of the Mekong and Tonle Sap arterial rivers between 1350 and 1750. Whilst the decline of Angkor is one of the most significant events in the history of Southeast Asia, we do not have a precise date for the event that involved the relocation of many hundreds of thousands of people. By determining when the Kings of Angkor m ....New light on Cambodia’s Dark Age (1350 - 1750). This project aims to conduct the first systematic archaeological investigations of Cambodian Middle Period capitals on the banks of the Mekong and Tonle Sap arterial rivers between 1350 and 1750. Whilst the decline of Angkor is one of the most significant events in the history of Southeast Asia, we do not have a precise date for the event that involved the relocation of many hundreds of thousands of people. By determining when the Kings of Angkor moved to the southern capitals we will clarify the end of Angkor, retrieve Cambodian history from a perceived Dark Age, and reveal critical linkages between the celebrated Angkorian past and modern and contemporary Cambodia.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL160100123
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,553,690.00
Summary
Australian rock art history, conservation and Indigenous well-being. Australian rock art history, conservation and Indigenous well-being. This project would examine the significance of Australia’s rock art heritage and why rock art is important for Indigenous identity and well-being but undervalued by others. It would produce new national strategies and knowledge about Australian rock art to enhance Indigenous empowerment and well-being; address threats to rock art and its conservation to protec ....Australian rock art history, conservation and Indigenous well-being. Australian rock art history, conservation and Indigenous well-being. This project would examine the significance of Australia’s rock art heritage and why rock art is important for Indigenous identity and well-being but undervalued by others. It would produce new national strategies and knowledge about Australian rock art to enhance Indigenous empowerment and well-being; address threats to rock art and its conservation to protect it for future generations; and develop innovative ways to manage and promote rock art in collaboration with Indigenous peoples, especially in northern Australia, where unprecedented development threatens rock art landscapes. The anticipated outcome is that Australia would become the world authority and leader for rock art conservation.Read moreRead less
The Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands, Gulf of Carpentaria Archaeological Project. This field-based project investigates patterns of past Aboriginal island use in the south-west Gulf of Carpentaria. It addresses the nature and chronology of island habitation, and how people in the Gulf responded to the post-glacial sea level rise. Did people in northern Australia become stranded on islands in the mid-Holocene as they did on Flinders and Kangaroos Islands in the south, or were watercraft alread ....The Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands, Gulf of Carpentaria Archaeological Project. This field-based project investigates patterns of past Aboriginal island use in the south-west Gulf of Carpentaria. It addresses the nature and chronology of island habitation, and how people in the Gulf responded to the post-glacial sea level rise. Did people in northern Australia become stranded on islands in the mid-Holocene as they did on Flinders and Kangaroos Islands in the south, or were watercraft already part of their material culture? This and other issues such as the cultural relationship between the present-day Yanyuwa and past island inhabitants, and the influences of early Macassan (Indonesian) contact will be investigated archaeologically.Read moreRead less
Suburban archaeology: approaching an archaeology of the middle class in 19th century Melbourne. This project has three main benefits. First, it will help Australians understand more about the richness and diversity of urban experience in the country, thereby enhancing the heritage value of Museum collections drawn from urban archaeological sites. Second, by focusing on the historical archaeology of the emergent middle class in Australia we will improve our understanding of the history of Austral ....Suburban archaeology: approaching an archaeology of the middle class in 19th century Melbourne. This project has three main benefits. First, it will help Australians understand more about the richness and diversity of urban experience in the country, thereby enhancing the heritage value of Museum collections drawn from urban archaeological sites. Second, by focusing on the historical archaeology of the emergent middle class in Australia we will improve our understanding of the history of Australian society during a crucial period. Last, it will enrich the social and cultural histories of Australia through a deeper and closer integration of archaeological and written historical information.Read moreRead less
A Historical archaeology of the Commonwealth Block 1850-1950. This project has three benefits. First, it will help Australians understand more about the richness and diversity of urban experience in our nation, thereby enhancing the heritage value of Museum collections drawn from urban archaeological sites. Second, transnational approaches to the archaeology of the modern world, with their focus on the movement of people, capital and technology will improve our understanding of the consequences ....A Historical archaeology of the Commonwealth Block 1850-1950. This project has three benefits. First, it will help Australians understand more about the richness and diversity of urban experience in our nation, thereby enhancing the heritage value of Museum collections drawn from urban archaeological sites. Second, transnational approaches to the archaeology of the modern world, with their focus on the movement of people, capital and technology will improve our understanding of the consequences of migration, and of the creation of global economies and local identities. Last, it will enrich the social and cultural histories of Australia through a deeper and closer integration of archaeological and written historical information.Read moreRead less
Making Room for the Past: Determining significance in archaeological collections from historic sites. As a consequence of a recent rapid increase in archaeological excavations, Australian museums no longer have resources to store or conserve all archaeological material and require a systematic means of establishing collection management priorities. Through industry and academic consultation and case studies of particular collections, this research will develop criteria for assessing the research ....Making Room for the Past: Determining significance in archaeological collections from historic sites. As a consequence of a recent rapid increase in archaeological excavations, Australian museums no longer have resources to store or conserve all archaeological material and require a systematic means of establishing collection management priorities. Through industry and academic consultation and case studies of particular collections, this research will develop criteria for assessing the research potential or scientific significance of individual artefacts and entire collections from historic sites. Along with recognised measures of social and historical significance, the criteria will provide guidelines with which museums can develop national management strategies for this unique heritage.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