Historical archaeology in Australia facts for kids
Historical archaeology in Australia is like being a detective who studies Australia's past. Instead of just reading old books, these archaeologists look at physical clues left behind. They examine objects like tools or pottery (called artifacts), old buildings or fences (structures), and even things like ditches or old roads (features). They also study how people changed the land itself. By looking at where these things are found and how they are layered in the ground, they learn about how people lived long ago.
In Australia, historical archaeology often combines looking at old documents and maps with digging up physical evidence. This way, archaeologists get a fuller picture of the past, using both written records and the things people left behind. Groups like the Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology focus on this combined approach.
Historical archaeology in Australia is closely connected to industrial archaeology. This means archaeologists often study old factories, mines, or railways. Because of this link, they understand not only how industries worked but also how people lived and worked within them. This connection helps them understand both the machines and the people who used them.
Archaeologists also use these techniques to study "contact sites." These are places where Aboriginal people and European settlers first met and interacted. This area of study helps us understand the experiences of both groups during these important times.
Maritime archaeology in Australia, which studies shipwrecks and underwater sites, is also considered part of historical archaeology. There's a lot of overlap in what they study and the methods they use, and professional groups for both fields often work together.
How Historical Archaeology Began in Australia
The study of historical archaeology in Australia started to grow in the 1960s. Some important early investigations include work by William Culican at Fossil Beach in Victoria. Also, Jim Allen from the Australian National University did research at Port Essington, Northern Territory, between 1966 and 1968. Another key figure was Judy Birmingham from the University of Sydney, who worked at Irrawang Pottery in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales from 1967 to 1975.
In 1973, Judy Birmingham and historian Ian Jack suggested creating a course in historical archaeology at the University of Sydney. Even though some people in the archaeology department weren't sure about it, the idea was accepted. The very first course in historical archaeology in Australia began in 1974. Birmingham and Jack taught it, with help from others. The course included a lot of practical fieldwork, giving students hands-on experience. Many students from these early courses later became important archaeological consultants or worked for the government, helping to protect Australia's past.
