Charles Dortch facts for kids

Charles Eugene Dortch (born in 1940) is an archaeologist from the United States. He is well-known for his important work and discoveries in Western Australia. An archaeologist is like a detective who studies the past by digging up and examining old objects and sites.

Who is Charlie Dortch?

Charlie Dortch was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in the USA. From a young age, he was very interested in history and the ancient peoples who lived on the land a long time ago. This interest led him to study archaeology.

He went to the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned a degree in history. Later, he continued his studies in the United Kingdom at University College London. These studies helped him learn the skills needed to become a great archaeologist.

Discovering Western Australia

After his studies, Charlie Dortch was invited to move to Western Australia. Ian Crawford, who was in charge of the anthropology department at the Western Australian Museum, asked him to join their team. Anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures.

Charlie accepted the offer and settled in Western Australia. He became a curator in the museum's archaeology department. A curator is someone who manages and looks after a collection of items, like ancient artifacts.

Amazing Discoveries

Soon after arriving, Charlie Dortch began working with a scientist named Duncan Merrilees. Duncan was a palaeontologist, someone who studies fossils. Together, they started exploring a very important site called Devil's Lair.

Uncovering Devil's Lair

Devil's Lair is a famous cave located in Southwest Australia. It is a special place because it holds many ancient fossils and clues about early life. Charlie Dortch helped find evidence of very old animals and even some of the first people to live in Australia. Many of his research papers are about the exciting discoveries made at this site.

Exploring the Kimberleys

In the early 1970s, Charlie Dortch also worked on research projects in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. This area is known for its rugged landscapes and rich Aboriginal history. His work there helped us learn more about the ancient cultures of the region.

Underwater Archaeology at Lake Jasper

Charlie Dortch was also very interested in how coastlines and lakes have changed over thousands of years. He explored sites that were once on land but are now underwater. One of his most significant discoveries was at Lake Jasper.

At Lake Jasper, he found the first submerged Aboriginal site ever discovered in Australia. This means he found an ancient place where Aboriginal people lived that is now covered by water. This discovery helped scientists understand how sea levels changed and how ancient people adapted to their environment.

Later Life and Legacy

Charlie Dortch continued his studies and earned his PhD from the University of Western Australia in 2001. A PhD is a very high academic degree. He retired from the Western Australian Museum in 2003.

Through his many years of work, Charlie Dortch made huge contributions to understanding the ancient history of Western Australia. His discoveries have taught us a lot about early humans and animals in the region.