Community Archaeology: Working Ancient Aboriginal Wetlands in Eastern Australia

Community Archaeology investigates wetland heritage in eastern Australia, extending previous information to 8000 BP and recording stone artefact scatters and lunette formation. It also contributes to global community engagement and education, with Aboriginal people involved in research and work-integrated learning.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 468 pages
Publication date: 06 April 2023
Publisher: Archaeopress

Community Archaeology presents the outcomes of an extensive investigation into wetland heritage in eastern Australia, making significant contributions to the archaeology of the Tasmanian Midlands and the New England Tablelands. This groundbreaking project, the first of its kind in these bioregions since 1991, involved the use of OSL and radiocarbon dating at lagoon sites, resulting in dates that extend back to 8000 BP, significantly expanding our previous knowledge. In both regions, a diverse array of stone artifact scatters was observed adjacent to lagoons, indicating associated ceremonial activities. Furthermore, new OSL dates were obtained for lunette formation, showcasing unexpected diversity. These dates did not cluster around the Last Glacial Maximum at 20k, suggesting individual local lunette depositional histories that are not closely linked to global climates.

Additionally, this book makes valuable contributions to the broader global field of community engagement and education. Unlike many commercial archaeology projects that involve Aboriginal participation, this project prioritized research. Community Elders played a crucial role as research team partners during fieldwork and training. Work-integrated learning, conducted both at university and on-country locations, proved highly successful in engaging and educating young participants.

Overall, Community Archaeology is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the rich wetland heritage of eastern Australia and contributes significantly to our understanding of the region's archaeological past. Its innovative approach to research, involving community engagement, education, and work-integrated learning, sets a new standard for archaeological projects.

Weight: 600g
Dimension: 276 x 203 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789694802