Australian archaeology facts for kids

Australian archaeology is a big part of studying the past in Australia. It looks at four main things: the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (before and after Europeans arrived), what happened after European settlement (called historical archaeology), things found underwater (maritime archaeology), and even recent history after the Second World War. A key idea connecting all these is cultural heritage management, which means looking after important historical places.

Research and investigations

Archaeologists in Australia have studied Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures for different reasons over time. At first, they wanted to find the very oldest sites. By the 1970s, they started looking at how the environment affected people. Later, protecting cultural heritage became very important. This was especially true as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups wanted more say in research.

Now, archaeologists really listen to the views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about their land and history. They understand that old sites are not just about the past, but also connect the past to the present. This means the present is just as important as the past in their research.

A popular topic for archaeologists and the public is how Australia was first settled. Scientists agree that no human-like species developed in Australia on its own. This is because no primates have been found there, either now or in old fossils. So, it's believed the first settlers came from somewhere else. Fossils suggest these first settlers were Homo sapiens, or fully modern humans.

There is some debate about where the first Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people came from. Both main ideas suggest they were modern humans. Studies of Asian genes show similarities between Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Melanesians, and Indians. However, the idea that people arrived 60,000 years ago is very early compared to other parts of the world. This might mean the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population came from an early African group. They might have traveled along the south coast of Asia much faster than other groups.

Australia was most likely settled during the last ice age. At that time, Australia, New Guinea, the Aru Islands, and Tasmania were all joined together. This large landmass was called Sahul. The south-east Asian continent and islands were also joined, forming a landmass called Sunda. It is thought that the first Australians crossed the sea between Sahul and Sunda about 60,000 to 40,000 years ago. Other dates have been suggested, so this time frame is not final. Sunda and Sahul were always separated by water. This means the first Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people had to cross the open sea (see Wallace Line).

Sahul is important because Australia (including Tasmania) was not always an isolated continent. It was connected to New Guinea and the Aru Islands. Australian researchers have also studied New Guinea and the Aru Islands.

The most important early sites in Australia are:

• Nauwalabila (55,000 – 60,000 years old)
• Madjedbebe (65,000 years ago)
• Devil's Lair (45,000 years old)
• Lake Mungo (61,000 or 40,000 years old) – the exact age is debated
• Warratyi (49,000 years old)

Because sea levels changed, the first settlements located on the coast would now be underwater.

It is most likely that Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people first settled on the northern coast. This area is closest to Asia. However, how people spread across the continent is still debated. Three main ideas have been suggested:

• People spread out from one "entry" point across the whole continent.
• People spread along the coastline first, then moved inland along major rivers.
• People moved in and out of different environments. For example, they might live in dry areas during good years, but move to places with more resources during droughts.

Historical archaeology in Australia

Historical archaeology is the study of the past using physical remains. These include objects (like tools or pottery), structures (like old buildings or fences), and even whole landscapes changed by human activity. It also looks at where these things are found and how they are layered in the ground.

Historical archaeology in Australia began with early studies by William Culican, Jim Allen, and Judy Birmingham. An increasingly important part of Australian historical archaeology looks at how Europeans and other settlers interacted with Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Underwater and maritime archaeology in Australia

Underwater archaeology is archaeology done in places that are now underwater. This includes sites from pre-historic times, historic times, and even after World War II. Maritime archaeology studies humans and their activities in, on, around, and under seas, rivers, and estuaries. Nautical archaeology is a special part of this that studies how boats and ships were built. Sometimes, the sites or objects are not actually underwater.

Like archaeology on land, underwater, maritime, and nautical archaeology can now study many types of sites. These range from Indigenous sites to industrial sites, including old submerged aircraft. Underwater aviation archaeology is a newer field. It focuses on planes found underwater and has grown a lot since the late 1990s.

Maritime archaeology was the first of these fields to start in Australia. It began in the 1970s because people were worried about the destruction of old Dutch and British East India ships lost on the west coast. After laws were passed in 1976, this field grew across Australia. This was thanks to ongoing funding from both state and federal governments. While it also studies port structures (like jetties and lighthouses), it first focused only on shipwrecks.

Now, maritime and underwater archaeology is much broader. In some states, museums manage it, and in others, cultural heritage units do. Many experts also work privately as consultants. All these experts follow the rules of the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology (AIMA).

Cultural heritage management

Commercial archaeology, also called cultural heritage management, really grew in Australia from the 1970s. This was when different state laws began to require permission before damaging or disturbing archaeological sites. For example, Victoria's Aboriginal and Archaeological Relics Preservation Act was passed in 1972. Historical archaeology is usually protected by separate laws, like the New South Wales Heritage Act of 1977.

Cultural Heritage Management for archaeological sites is part of wider heritage protection. It follows the rules set out in the Burra Charter, which is a guide for protecting important cultural places.

From just a few experts in the 1970s, there are now over 250 commercial archaeologists in Australia. The Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc. (AACAI) is the main professional group. It was started in 1979 and now has about 50 full members.

Consulting archaeology is mainly driven by new building projects. This often puts it in the middle of arguments about who owns heritage. It also deals with the conflict between protecting old sites and allowing new development. Aboriginal communities often feel a special connection to places where archaeological remains are found.

Legal obligations in Australia

Protecting and managing archaeology in Australia is controlled by Federal and State Government laws. These include the Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984. They also include the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Each state has its own archaeology laws, like Victoria's Heritage Act 1995 (for historical archaeology) and the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. Several states keep lists of archaeological sites to help manage them.

The main idea behind most archaeology laws in Australia is to protect all archaeological remains and sites. This is true whether they have been recorded or not. A system of permits and approvals is used to control changes to these sites. For Aboriginal archaeological sites, there is often a need to talk with traditional owners. They sometimes have a say in approving work that affects archaeological sites.

Native title and land rights

Native title is officially recognized under The Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993. This law helps protect and recognize the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Australian legal system recognizes native title when:

• The rights come from traditional laws and customs that are still followed by the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.
• Because of these laws and customs, the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people have a connection to the land or waters.
• The native title rights are recognized by the common law of Australia.

Notable Australian archaeologists

This is a short list of Australian archaeologists who have helped develop the study of Australian archaeology.

Professional societies in Australian archaeology

The Australian Archaeological Association is one of the largest and oldest groups. It works to advance all types of archaeology in Australia.

The Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology (ASHA) was founded in 1970. Its goal was, and still is, to promote the study of historical archaeology in Australia.

The Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc. was founded in 1979. It aims to promote and represent professional archaeologists.

The Archaeological and Anthropological Society of Victoria (AASV) is mostly for non-professional people. It was formed in 1976 by joining two older groups.

Notable sites

See also

• Australian Aboriginal sacred site
• History of Indigenous Australians