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
Elam in the 2nd millennium B.C.: A multi-regional approach. Although it was one of the Near East's most powerful ancient states, Elam has received less scholarly attention than its neighbours. Using an innovative approach targeting three unexcavated sites (Deh-e Now, Tepe Senjar and Liyan) in Iran, this project aims to investigate Elam at its height during the 2nd millennium B.C. Archaeological excavations will be undertaken over a 5 year period and materials which have rarely received attention ....Elam in the 2nd millennium B.C.: A multi-regional approach. Although it was one of the Near East's most powerful ancient states, Elam has received less scholarly attention than its neighbours. Using an innovative approach targeting three unexcavated sites (Deh-e Now, Tepe Senjar and Liyan) in Iran, this project aims to investigate Elam at its height during the 2nd millennium B.C. Archaeological excavations will be undertaken over a 5 year period and materials which have rarely received attention in the past will be analysed using a wide range of scientific techniques. The project will be the first major investigation of Elam in almost 25 years.Read moreRead less
Angkor and the Limits of Pre-industrial Urban Growth: magnitude, residence pattern and duration. Angkor, the medieval Khmer capital, was the largest pre-industrial, dispersed urban complex on Earth. New estimates of its extent and duration, and new interpretations of its residence pattern and decline will help to clarify the history of the city and to identify the operational limits of pre-industrial dispersed urbanism.
Urban Infrastructure, Inertia and Ecology: the growth and decline of Angkor, Cambodia (9th to 16th Century AD). Australia emphasises the value of partnerships with developing nations in the Asia-Pacific for the continued stability of our region. Australia has played a significant role in assisting Cambodia toward stability and sustainable growth, and Australian researchers have assisted greatly in the development of individual and institutional capabilities. This project's large, multi-discipli ....Urban Infrastructure, Inertia and Ecology: the growth and decline of Angkor, Cambodia (9th to 16th Century AD). Australia emphasises the value of partnerships with developing nations in the Asia-Pacific for the continued stability of our region. Australia has played a significant role in assisting Cambodia toward stability and sustainable growth, and Australian researchers have assisted greatly in the development of individual and institutional capabilities. This project's large, multi-disciplinary research team provides a significant new perspective on a cultural site of global importance and extends active collaboration with Cambodian agencies responsible for managing Angkor - the Asia-Pacific flagship World Heritage site - by providing engagement with world-class research expertise and facilities. Read moreRead less
Greater Angkor from ancestry to abandonment: the growth, daily life and transformation of the suburbs of Angkor. Australia promotes the value of partnerships with developing Asia-Pacific nations for the continued stability of our region. In Cambodia, Australia plays a significant role in assisting stability and sustainable growth. Our research has contributed greatly to the development of individual and institutional capabilities, providing engagement with world-class research expertise and faci ....Greater Angkor from ancestry to abandonment: the growth, daily life and transformation of the suburbs of Angkor. Australia promotes the value of partnerships with developing Asia-Pacific nations for the continued stability of our region. In Cambodia, Australia plays a significant role in assisting stability and sustainable growth. Our research has contributed greatly to the development of individual and institutional capabilities, providing engagement with world-class research expertise and facilities. This large, international, multidisciplinary team will provide a significant new approach to Angkor, the iconic Asia-Pacific flagship World Heritage site and will actively work with Cambodian agencies responsible for the site in the context of the Australian-Cambodian government collaboration on the "Heritage Management Framework Project" for Angkor.Read moreRead less
History in their bones: A diachronic, bioarchaeological study of diet, mobility and social organisation from Cambodian skeletal assemblages. Australia will further enhance its role as an innovator in the archaeology of SE Asia through this cross-disciplinary, international collaboration on the mobility, health, age and diet in ancient Cambodia. Local collaborations will be expanded and academic and cultural relations with Cambodia will be reinforced and strengthened. This research will expand ....History in their bones: A diachronic, bioarchaeological study of diet, mobility and social organisation from Cambodian skeletal assemblages. Australia will further enhance its role as an innovator in the archaeology of SE Asia through this cross-disciplinary, international collaboration on the mobility, health, age and diet in ancient Cambodia. Local collaborations will be expanded and academic and cultural relations with Cambodia will be reinforced and strengthened. This research will expand understanding of Cambodian history and underscore its pivotal role in mainland SE Asian archaeology. Australia's advancement of knowledge about Cambodia's rich cultural antiquity will be recognized worldwide by a global community acutely mindful of the losses to culture and heritage endured by Cambodia in the recent past.Read moreRead less
Key of Anshan, Bolt of Elam: Cultural evolution and state formation in the Fahliyan Plain (Fars, Iran), 4000 BC - 500 AD. This project will excavate cultural material from the site of Tul-e Spid in the area of Fahliyan in southwest Iran and has been proposed as the location of Huhnuri, the Key of Anshan and the Bolt of Elam. Little is known about Fahliyan, yet it lies on the route between the two ancient capitals of the region. Excavation and analysis of material from Tul-e Spid will provide ins ....Key of Anshan, Bolt of Elam: Cultural evolution and state formation in the Fahliyan Plain (Fars, Iran), 4000 BC - 500 AD. This project will excavate cultural material from the site of Tul-e Spid in the area of Fahliyan in southwest Iran and has been proposed as the location of Huhnuri, the Key of Anshan and the Bolt of Elam. Little is known about Fahliyan, yet it lies on the route between the two ancient capitals of the region. Excavation and analysis of material from Tul-e Spid will provide insight into the evolution of states and empires that developed in southwestern Iran, and the first indication of the changes that occurred in regional areas during their formation.Read moreRead less