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Environmental and cultural change along the Central Murray River. The aim of this project is to understand how past people in the riverine landscapes of the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) were influenced by and adapted to environmental change. This will be achieved using a novel cross-disciplinary approach combining state-of-the-art palaeoenvironmental and archaeological methods. Indigenous people of the MDB have always been closely linked to rivers, however, over the period of human habitation flow ....Environmental and cultural change along the Central Murray River. The aim of this project is to understand how past people in the riverine landscapes of the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) were influenced by and adapted to environmental change. This will be achieved using a novel cross-disciplinary approach combining state-of-the-art palaeoenvironmental and archaeological methods. Indigenous people of the MDB have always been closely linked to rivers, however, over the period of human habitation flows on these rivers were likely subject to changes that exceeded present-day variability. Understanding how these changes have impacted humans, offers clues on adaption to environmental change and aids in developing strategies for living with the inherently variable and vulnerable rivers in drylands.Read moreRead less
Dispersing myths; Characterising human migration through Asia . The human journey across the globe is one of our greatest achievements, yet the archaeological evidence for the earliest migrations is poorly dated, plagued by uncertainty and often overlooked. This project aims to characterise the nature of early human dispersals across Asia en route to Australasia by going beyond the timing and identification of human evidence to explore their behaviour, health and adaptability. Reconsidering ear ....Dispersing myths; Characterising human migration through Asia . The human journey across the globe is one of our greatest achievements, yet the archaeological evidence for the earliest migrations is poorly dated, plagued by uncertainty and often overlooked. This project aims to characterise the nature of early human dispersals across Asia en route to Australasia by going beyond the timing and identification of human evidence to explore their behaviour, health and adaptability. Reconsidering early migrations within their environmental context will allow an assessment of their feasibility and address the disparity between the genetic and physical evidence. By elucidating the story of the greatest human journey we will develop a new understanding and appreciation of our survival and adaption capabilities.Read moreRead less
The archaeology of Thailand and Myanmar: A Strategic Region for Understanding Modern Human Colonization and Interactions Across our Region. At a crossroads between India, Australia and the Pacific, this project recognises western mainland Southeast Asia as critical to understanding the human history of the region over the past 50 000 years. Thailand and Myanmar are strategically positioned to test competing models of initial modern human expansion, and subsequent trajectories of cultural change ....The archaeology of Thailand and Myanmar: A Strategic Region for Understanding Modern Human Colonization and Interactions Across our Region. At a crossroads between India, Australia and the Pacific, this project recognises western mainland Southeast Asia as critical to understanding the human history of the region over the past 50 000 years. Thailand and Myanmar are strategically positioned to test competing models of initial modern human expansion, and subsequent trajectories of cultural change and interaction. This project aims to produce multiple data sets for reconstructing palaeoclimate. This data will assist in testing projections for future climate, making a significant contribution in responding to climate change and variability.Read moreRead less
Wadi Rayyan and Olive Production in the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Ages (4500-3000 BCE). This project seeks funds to excavate two sites in the Wadi Rayyan in the highlands of Jordan. This previously unexplored area of Jordan is at high altitude and an excellent region for olive growing. Both sites show evidence of agricultural processing (features cut into the bedrock) and both show evidence of Chalcolithic/EBA occupation (4500-3000 BCE). Excavation will reveal the relationship between the ch ....Wadi Rayyan and Olive Production in the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Ages (4500-3000 BCE). This project seeks funds to excavate two sites in the Wadi Rayyan in the highlands of Jordan. This previously unexplored area of Jordan is at high altitude and an excellent region for olive growing. Both sites show evidence of agricultural processing (features cut into the bedrock) and both show evidence of Chalcolithic/EBA occupation (4500-3000 BCE). Excavation will reveal the relationship between the changing economy in the Late Chalcolithic (4000-3500 BCE) and the changing pattern of settlement in the region through excavations at these key sites. Specifically this project will investigate the links between early olive processing and early complex society.Read moreRead less
From village to empire in the Zagros highlands: Archaeological investigations at Tol-e Nurabad (Fars Province, Iran). This joint Australian-Iranian archaeological project will strengthen an important collaborative partnership between Australia and Iran in an area of mutual interest - the investigation of past societies. The human significance of such collaboration extends far beyond Australia's commercial relationship with Iran. It will build bridges and promote understanding between the two soc ....From village to empire in the Zagros highlands: Archaeological investigations at Tol-e Nurabad (Fars Province, Iran). This joint Australian-Iranian archaeological project will strengthen an important collaborative partnership between Australia and Iran in an area of mutual interest - the investigation of past societies. The human significance of such collaboration extends far beyond Australia's commercial relationship with Iran. It will build bridges and promote understanding between the two societies at both a scientific and grassroots level. It is a tangible expression of goodwill and a genuine interest in Iran's past, as well as an investment in a cultural and human relationship with one of the most important countries in the Middle East.Read moreRead less
Astride the Wallace Line 2: human evolution, dispersal, culture and environmental change in Southeast Asia. Our previous project on the archaeology and fossil record of Southeast Asia yielded results of international significance, including the discovery of a new human species and dates for major changes in the Indonesian faunal sequence. It also involved collaboration between Australian, Indonesian and Canadian researchers from a range of institutions and disciplines, and provided topics for s ....Astride the Wallace Line 2: human evolution, dispersal, culture and environmental change in Southeast Asia. Our previous project on the archaeology and fossil record of Southeast Asia yielded results of international significance, including the discovery of a new human species and dates for major changes in the Indonesian faunal sequence. It also involved collaboration between Australian, Indonesian and Canadian researchers from a range of institutions and disciplines, and provided topics for six PhD and two MA students. This level of significant research, international collaboration and training will continue with the current project.Read moreRead less
Early settlements in Upper Burma (Myanmar): an experiment in urban living. This project directly increases access for Australian research to a previously self-isolated nation, Myanmar. It contributes to better understanding of our region and our world by examining how past communities worked together and how they dealt with social and environmental stress.
Chorasmian temples: an archaeological study of early Zoroastrianism and its precursors in Central Asia. The project is a collaboration with the Uzbek Academy of Sciences. National benefits to Australia are in international relations and in broadening our understanding of cultural issues in the potentially volatile and politically significant region of Central Asia. The team has developed a high profile in Uzbekistan and internationally, reflecting well on Australia's cultural strengths, intern ....Chorasmian temples: an archaeological study of early Zoroastrianism and its precursors in Central Asia. The project is a collaboration with the Uzbek Academy of Sciences. National benefits to Australia are in international relations and in broadening our understanding of cultural issues in the potentially volatile and politically significant region of Central Asia. The team has developed a high profile in Uzbekistan and internationally, reflecting well on Australia's cultural strengths, international involvement and support for developing countries in Asia. Our research features regularly in the Uzbek media and has the personal approval of President Karimov. We are involved with Zoroastrian and Parsi communities in Australia and overseas, particularly in India and the USA, and our results are published regularly in the community press.Read moreRead less
East meets West: an archaeological study of early contact between China and Eurasia. The project will link Chinese and Australian researchers in a collaborative programme exploring the origins of cultural contact between China and the West. Through the work of a team of international specialists, this fresh initiative will bring western analytical techniques together with Chinese archaeological experience to create a new and robust picture of the evidence for early cultural contact. From this we ....East meets West: an archaeological study of early contact between China and Eurasia. The project will link Chinese and Australian researchers in a collaborative programme exploring the origins of cultural contact between China and the West. Through the work of a team of international specialists, this fresh initiative will bring western analytical techniques together with Chinese archaeological experience to create a new and robust picture of the evidence for early cultural contact. From this we will study the early movements of Indo-European populations and examine the question of the origins of early metal production in China.Read moreRead less
With or without pots: Investigating the archaeology of human settlement on Santa Isabel, western Solomon Islands. Following the recent civil unrest in the Solomon Islands, the SI National and Provincial Governments, as well as community bodies, have identified a better understanding of the past and the revival of traditional systems and knowledge (Kastom) as a route to stability and cohesion throughout the region. This study responds to direct requests from the Santa Isabel community for assist ....With or without pots: Investigating the archaeology of human settlement on Santa Isabel, western Solomon Islands. Following the recent civil unrest in the Solomon Islands, the SI National and Provincial Governments, as well as community bodies, have identified a better understanding of the past and the revival of traditional systems and knowledge (Kastom) as a route to stability and cohesion throughout the region. This study responds to direct requests from the Santa Isabel community for assistance with archaeological research and the recording of cultural histories. By assisting a Pacific neighbour to develop a more durable, internally generated basis for social and economic development, Australia not only encourages security in the region, but also increases its engagment with and understanding of adjacent cultures.Read moreRead less