Chinese Middle to Late Pleistocene hominid behaviour: exploring cultural variability through time and space. This research will contribute to the understanding of the spread of our species out of Africa 2 million years ago into East Asia. It examines the range of hominid behaviours and ecological circumstances that led to the successful colonisation of China by Homo erectus. It also addresses the vexed question of the relationship between H. erectus and H. sapiens. Did the latter evolve in situ ....Chinese Middle to Late Pleistocene hominid behaviour: exploring cultural variability through time and space. This research will contribute to the understanding of the spread of our species out of Africa 2 million years ago into East Asia. It examines the range of hominid behaviours and ecological circumstances that led to the successful colonisation of China by Homo erectus. It also addresses the vexed question of the relationship between H. erectus and H. sapiens. Did the latter evolve in situ from their antecedents as some suggest, or did H. sapiens replace H. erectus, in the great diaspora from Africa 120,000 years ago?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
Plant use at the dawn of agriculture in central Anatolia. The project will increase collaboration with researchers in the UK, and Turkish archaeological authorities. It will refine our understanding of the process, rate and direction of agricultural origins in Western Asia and improve Australia's profile in origins of agriculture research. It will increase Australia's knowledge base about other regions and help to consolidate and promote archaeobotany/archaeological science in Australia's resear ....Plant use at the dawn of agriculture in central Anatolia. The project will increase collaboration with researchers in the UK, and Turkish archaeological authorities. It will refine our understanding of the process, rate and direction of agricultural origins in Western Asia and improve Australia's profile in origins of agriculture research. It will increase Australia's knowledge base about other regions and help to consolidate and promote archaeobotany/archaeological science in Australia's research community.Read moreRead less
Indian Textile Technology as archaeological evidence for population movements in Early Southeast Asia. This project uses archaeological textiles to investigate population movements in the late prehistoric period of Southeast Asia. It involves collaborative links between researchers from the Institute of Archaeology in Vietnam, the Centre for Southeast Asian Prehistory in Ho Chi Minh City, the Fine Arts Department of Thailand and museums and archaeological institutions in South India. It not only ....Indian Textile Technology as archaeological evidence for population movements in Early Southeast Asia. This project uses archaeological textiles to investigate population movements in the late prehistoric period of Southeast Asia. It involves collaborative links between researchers from the Institute of Archaeology in Vietnam, the Centre for Southeast Asian Prehistory in Ho Chi Minh City, the Fine Arts Department of Thailand and museums and archaeological institutions in South India. It not only profiles Australian expertise in Southeast Asia but facilitates high levels of communication and the exchange of ideas. 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
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
Technological Advances in Large-scale Roman Concrete Buildings during the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. How were the Romans able to build monuments which are still standing after 2,000 years? Skills to achieve this were clearly not developed overnight. A multidisciplinary team from the University of Melbourne has identified the 1st century BC as a time of tremendous technological change in Roman architecture. Was it that the Romans used a technologically advanced type of concerete? Was it that they ....Technological Advances in Large-scale Roman Concrete Buildings during the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. How were the Romans able to build monuments which are still standing after 2,000 years? Skills to achieve this were clearly not developed overnight. A multidisciplinary team from the University of Melbourne has identified the 1st century BC as a time of tremendous technological change in Roman architecture. Was it that the Romans used a technologically advanced type of concerete? Was it that they had perfected the structural design of vaults and domes? Was it simply their organisational ability or the enormous wealth which flowed from their vast Empire? A team of experienced archaeologists,architects and engineers seeks to answer these questions by survey and material analysis of a number of key Roman monuments.Read moreRead less