Judy Birmingham facts for kids

Jean (Judy) Birmingham is a famous English historical archaeologist. She has spent most of her career in Sydney, Australia. Judy Birmingham is known for helping to create historical archaeology and cultural heritage management in Australia. In 2017, she received a special award called the Member of the Order of Australia for her important work.

Judy Birmingham's Early Life and Studies

Judy Birmingham earned her first university degree in Classics from the University of St Andrews in 1953. Later, she studied at the UCL Institute of Archaeology and received another degree in Archaeology in 1959.

In 1961, the University of Sydney needed an expert in the Iron Age. This is a time in history when people started using iron tools. Judy Birmingham was suggested for the job. She and her husband, Michael, moved to Australia. There, she taught students about the Iron Age in places like Cyprus and Anatolia. At that time, she was an expert in the archaeology of the Mediterranean and West Asia.

Discovering Australia's Past

In 1966, Judy Birmingham started looking for places near Sydney where her students could learn how to dig and find old things. This is called archaeological excavation.

Digging at Irrawang Pottery

In 1967, she began leading digs at a place called Irrawang Pottery. This was an old pottery factory owned by James King, north of Newcastle. This project is seen as one of the first times historical archaeology was done in Australia. Historical archaeology looks at places from more recent history, often after written records began. One of her former students, David Frankel (archaeologist), remembered that Judy had new ideas. She believed that students needed to practice what they learned in theory.

Exploring Wybalenna Island

Judy Birmingham also led excavations at Wybalenna Island. Her work there helped us understand the place where George Augustus Robinson housed Aboriginal Tasmanians who had been moved from their homes. It was special because several Aboriginal people were part of the digging team, which was not common back then.

Starting a New Course

In 1973, Judy Birmingham and historian Ian Jack suggested teaching a course about historical archaeology at the University of Sydney. Some people in the archaeology department disagreed with the idea. However, the course was approved. It became the first historical archaeology course in Australia. Judy Birmingham, Ian Jack, geographer Dennis Jeans, and historian Ken Cable taught it. The course also included a lot of practical work outside, so students could get important hands-on training.

Helping Archaeology Grow

Judy Birmingham played a big part in starting the Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology (ASHA). It began at the University of Sydney in 1970 because she was so excited about historical archaeology. She helped edit the early newsletters, organized special books, and planned conferences. She was the society's first secretary from 1970 to 1980. Later, she became president from 1980 to 1991.

She also helped start Australia ICOMOS, which is an organization that works to protect cultural heritage. She helped write the Burra Charter, which is a set of rules for how to care for historic places. Judy Birmingham was also an active member of the National Trust of Australia. She even led its Industrial Archaeology Committee for many years.

Awards and Special Recognition

Because of her great work for ASHA, Judy Birmingham was made an Honorary Life Member. This means she is a special member for life. ASHA also created an annual award named after her, called the "Judy Birmingham Award for Best Historical Archaeology Consulting Report."

In 2001, the Australian Government gave Judy Birmingham a Centenary Medal. This was for her service to Australian society and her work in prehistory and archaeology. In 2017, she received the Member of the Order of Australia award. This was for her important contributions to higher education, especially in historical archaeology, as a teacher, and for her work with professional groups. In the same year, she received a lifetime achievement award at the National Trust of Australia's Heritage Awards.

Oral History Project

Judy Birmingham's oral history was recorded in 2012. An oral history is when someone tells their life story and experiences, which are then recorded. You can find her recording at the National Library of Australia:

• Birmingham, Judy & Hanna, Bronwyn J. (2012). Judy Birmingham interviewed by Bronwyn Hanna in the Burra Charter oral history project [sound recording]

See also

• Industrial archaeology
• A Life in Archaeology: In Conversation with Judy Birmingham.