Peter Coutts facts for kids

Peter John Frazer Coutts was an Australian archaeologist. He was the first director of the Victoria Archaeological Survey (VAS). This group was very important for protecting Aboriginal heritage in Victoria, Australia.

Early Life and Studies

Peter Coutts first studied electrical engineering at the University of Melbourne. But he later became a student at the Australian National University to study archaeology.

From 1964 to 1967, he researched how Aboriginal people lived at Wilsons Promontory in Victoria. He dug up old shell middens, which are like ancient rubbish heaps made of shells. He was one of the first archaeologists to use computers to analyze his findings!

After this, Coutts studied at the University of Otago in New Zealand. He helped create the field of historical archaeology there. This type of archaeology looks at places where Maori and early European settlers (like sealers and whalers) first met. He also started studying the archaeology of old buildings. This is called "buildings archaeology."

Archaeology Career

In 1972, a new office was created in Victoria called the Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics Office (AARO). Peter Coutts became its director in 1973. He realized that not much was known about Aboriginal archaeology in Victoria. So, he made it a top goal to learn more.

To do this, he planned a big survey across Victoria, from south to north. He wanted to dig at certain sites to learn about the history of Aboriginal settlement.

Archaeology Summer Schools

Peter Coutts didn't have enough staff for all this work. So, he started the Archaeological Summer School program. These were field camps where anyone could pay to learn about archaeology. People could help record or dig at archaeological sites.

The first summer school was in 1975. Nine more were held until 1982. These camps were a great way to train new archaeologists from all over Australia. Many students and volunteers learned important skills there.

Sharing Discoveries

Peter Coutts really believed in sharing his work with the public. He created a way for the AARO and VAS to publish their own reports. These reports shared important information about archaeological research in Victoria. They helped set the stage for future studies for many years.

Coutts worked on many projects. He investigated Aboriginal mound sites in the Western District and along the Murray River. He also studied rock shelters at Gariwerd and fish traps at Lake Condah. He even did historical archaeology on early European settlement sites like Sullivans Cove and Corinella. He also contributed to archaeology in the Philippines.

Leaving the VAS

Over time, Peter Coutts's ideas about research didn't quite match the changing goals of the government. The Aboriginal community in Victoria also wanted more say in how their heritage was managed. Peter Coutts felt that research was becoming less important than management. So, in 1984, he took a year off and then resigned in 1985. He hasn't worked in archaeology since then.

However, he has published several papers and books about Irish Quakers, including one about his mother's family history.