ARCH8410 Archaeology of Indigenous Australia

2015

4.5

1 x 1-hour lecture weekly
1 x 1-hour tutorial weekly

1 Admission into GCCHM-Graduate Certificate in Cultural Heritage Management
1a Admission into GDPCHM-Graduate Diploma in Cultural Heritage Management
1b Admission into MCHM-Master of Cultural Heritage Management
1c Admission into GCARCH-Graduate Certificate in Archaeology
1d Admission into GDPARCH-Graduate Diploma in Archaeology
1e Admission into MARCH-Master of Archaeology
1f Admission into GDPSM-Graduate Diploma in Screen and Media Production
1g Admission into MSM-Master of Screen and Media Production
1h Admission into GDPAHM-Graduate Diploma in Archaeology and Heritage Management
1i Admission into MAHM-Master of Archaeology and Heritage Management
1j Admission into MAHMA-Master of Archaeology and Heritage Management [1.5 years]
1k Admission into MSMA-Master of Screen and Media Production [1 year]
1l Admission into MSMI-Master of Screen and Media Production [1.5 years]
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d or 1e or 1f or 1g or 1h or 1i or 1j or 1k or 1l))

1 of ARCH2001, ARCH2202, ARCH8509 has been successfully completed

The archaeology of Indigenous Australia is structured to introduce major debates in the prehistory and history of Greater Australia or Sahul (Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania). The focus of study is Greater Australia because for the majority of the period of human occupation (debated to extend to 60-40,000 years ago), this area was one land mass. The first set of lectures and seminars focus on major debates concerning the origins of Indigenous Australians, timing of first settlement, megafaunal extinctions and environmental transformations. The second set moves forward from deep history to consider the different Holocene prehistories of Australia and New Guinea, the social and environmental impacts of European colonisation, Indigenous perspectives on archaeological knowledge and practice, and the politics of archaeological practice in contemporary Australia. These substantive and ethical issues are central to understanding the role of archaeology in contemporary Australian society.

This topic aims to:

• introduce students to major debates in Australian prehistory

• give students an awareness of the variety of perspectives on Australia's past

• give students an awareness of the ethical dimensions of problems and issues in Indigenous Australian archaeology

• teach students how to critically evaluate how Indigenous Australian archaeology is presented in the media

• help students develop practical skills in Indigenous archaeology

• help students develop skills that are important at University and in the workplace, such as computer skills and the ability to collaborate on research projects

• give a chronological overview of the Indigenous history of Australia

On completing this topic students will have:

• become familiar with the major techniques used in Indigenous Australian archaeology

• obtained a chronological overview of the Indigenous history of Australia

• enhanced their critical thinking skills

• developed their awareness of the ethical dimensions of problems and issues in Indigenous Australian archaeology

• learnt how to critically evaluate how Indigenous Australian archaeology is presented in the media

• developed some of the skills that are important at university and in the workplace, such as computer skills and the ability to collaborate on research projects