SCHOOL OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND ARCHAEOLOGY
Archaeology of human colonisation processes
The archaeological signatures and interpretations of human colonisation in the Asia/Pacific and European regions;The elucidation and reinterpretation of early human settlement and colonisation strategies in a variety of environments, including Indonesia, Northern Australia, the Australian Arid Zone, Torres Strait and Oceania.
Archaeology of art
The development of new techniques for direct dating of rock art and archaeometric study of rock art in Australia and overseas;The analysis of traditional paint pigments and other rock art production techniques in global context.
Cross-cultural studies of knowledge systems
Medical systems and concepts of health and illness in South Asia and New Guinea;Cosmology and customary law in Australia;
Ritual and aesthetic traditions of South and Southeast Asia.
Development issues in the tropics
Urban formations, global processes and the social and cultural production of poverty;The investigation of sustainable development and appropriate technology (agricultural systems in China, Thailand and Indonesia);
Health and health services in Aboriginal Australia and New Guinea;
Ethnicity, nationalism and racism in Asia and Australia;
Social impact of logging in Papua New Guinea.
Issues in Cultural Heritage
Investigations of concepts of heritage, custom, identity and place;The role of archaeology and anthropology in contemporary society and politics;
The development of heritage legislation, land rights, Native Title and the impacts of development in the Australia/Pacific region.
Maritime societies and marine environments
The investigation of maritime sites and societies in Australia, Asia and the Pacific;The investigation of shipwreck survivor camps and related crisis behaviours (the Batavia, and the Bounty mutineer settlement of Pitcairn).
The recent past
Contact interfaces in northern Australia and the Pacific (missions, reserves, plantations etc);Identification and interpretation of historic cultural landscapes including industrial complexes and military installations.
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