SESSION THEMES

After Archaeology in Practice: Student Research in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Management An extraordinary and excitingly diverse range of research topics are pursued by students in archaeology and cultural heritage management and with the advent of covid-19, students have engaged with history, science and culture in ways we haven’t even begun to fully explore. Disseminating your research results to an audience of archaeologists at Australia’s annual conference was a huge hit at the 2019 AAA Conference on the Gold Coast and by request we propose to run a student-led and focussed session for the 2021 AAA conference. This session focusses on student research and provides an opportunity to speak alongside a group of your peers in a safe moderated space. We support and encourage student researchers at all levels to present a paper on their research in any area of archaeology and cultural heritage management from national and international contexts. Presenting in this forum allows you to develop important skills at communicating your research results. Presentations will be a maximum of 10-15minutes with 5 minutes for questions.

Archaeological Science Collaborations: The ARCAS Network Session Archaeological science has become an integral part of Australian archaeology, with advancements in technologies allowing new types of data and/or higher resolution data to be produced. These data underpin detailed and nuanced interpretations of past human behaviour and contribute to understanding how people lived on Country. Archaeological science, with its foundations in western science, can play an important role in reconciliation and truth telling, especially when combined with the traditional knowledges of First Nation people. Archaeological science can also contribute to public/community archaeology, through the fascinating insights it reveals and its contribution to the development of engaging narratives. The Australasian Research Cluster for Archaeological Science (ARCAS) network session invites papers focusing on research collaborations with First Nations communities, government organisations, community groups and other bodies that highlight how archaeological science has contributed to understanding the past. We especially welcome papers that highlight how these collaborations facilitate reconciliation, truth telling and self- determination for First Nations communities.

Australian Indigenous Archaeologists Present Our Work: Our Country; Our Communities Indigenous archaeologists have been working for over three decades in Australia, often on projects that are important and have relevance to our communities. Such projects include Community designed research projects, education, site management protection works, cultural tourism and promotion of cultural competency across the industry. Being an Indigenous archaeologist also includes speaking up against and taking on those who destroy our collective heritage, promoting ethical archaeology. This session invites Australia’s Indigenous archaeologists to present our work and our projects from our Country.

Before Cook: The Archaeology of European and Island Southeast Asian Interactions with Australia This session investigates current research projects related to the archaeology of European and South East Asian interactions and long-term engagement with Indigenous Australians. The session sets out to contribute further knowledge about our understanding of European and South East Asians active in the Australasian region from the 17th and 18th centuries through archaeological and historical research. Outcomes to date have included new interpretations of Australian histories and sites.

Case Studies in Collaboration: Prioritising Indigenous Interests in Cultural Heritage Consulting The public fallout from the destruction of Juukan Gorge illustrates a growing concern amongst the Australian public for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and heritage. At the same time, there is an increasing sensitivity of mining, energy resource and other extractive companies to public perceptions of their actions in this arena. In this context, cultural heritage consulting has the power to prioritise Indigenous voices and initiate cultural and systemic changes to how cultural heritage is managed. In this session we would like to invite case studies of meaningful engagement and participation of heritage experts alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders within the context of cultural heritage consulting, with the aim of showing ways in which the heritage industry can assist in the reconciliation process.

Digital Archaeology Beyond Tools and Toys Digital Archaeology is an emerging research field utilising information technology and digital media. Archaeologists are continuously adapting and advancing archaeotech (archaeology technology) with base- level digital site and artefact recording, photogrammetry, laser scanning, UAS (unmanned aerial systems) and other tools that further our research objectives. Archaeologists often use these archaeotech tools and toys to document heritage for preserving the information from agents of deterioration (such as climate change, natural disasters, theft, and other forms of damage). However, these are just tools and the underlying purpose and goals of the research need to be considered. This session aims to discuss how archaeotech can be used to ultimately benefit Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and effectively communicate with non-specialist audiences.

Disciplinary History in the Light of Indigenous Involvement From its beginnings, archaeological research in Australia and neighbouring regions has dealt predominantly with non-Western pasts, or (in the case of historical archaeology) with shared Indigenous and Western pasts. The long history of consultation between archaeologists and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is reflected in the Indo-Pacific region more broadly. However, there are also numerous examples of past archaeologists in these regions ignoring or devaluing Indigenous perspectives. This session looks at our disciplinary history through the lens of the conference theme, examining case studies of past consultation and/or collaboration between archaeologists and Indigenous peoples in Australia and neighbouring regions, as well as case studies of past failures to consult or collaborate. We welcome papers on any aspects of the history of archaeology in Australia and the Indo-Pacific, particularly those addressing Indigenous involvement in archaeology in these areas.

Interrogating Absences in the Archaeological Record Archaeological endeavours around the world typically focus on materiality – the things we can see and hold, and use to explain how they are made meaningful in the past and present. Yet, a major challenge that has often been overlooked concerns explanations about what is missing, that is, those absences that can potentially speak volumes to understanding patterns of human behaviour. Recent examples involving rock art, patterning of specific types of stone artefacts, and the spaces between ‘significant sites’ (in a CHM context) have shown that absences are complex phenomena, they are choices made in response to factors such as environmental change, societal pressures such as violence, oppression, invasion, disease, and exposure to new peoples, ideas, and objects. The role of Indigenous ontologies and epistemologies in considering the nature of absences can also be useful in understanding the cultural complexities of absences.

For this session we seek papers from across the archaeological spectrum of specialisations, and across different time periods – from the deep past to today. Case studies are encouraged, yet we are challenging contributors to not just identify absences but rather engage with broader theoretical concepts to understand the associated social and cultural processes that guide and inform people’s choices.

Mining and Reconciliation The Pilbara is made up of a large number of Aboriginal groups who have owned and effectively managed the land for thousands of years. This session will look at case studies posing the question: Can mining be used as a basis for reconciliation? In return for access to land mining companies make commitments to cultural awareness, employment opportunities, heritage protection, land management, with the aim of providing long term benefits to future generations. On occasion the strong role mining has played in modern Australian culture hasn’t respected the rich Aboriginal cultural landscape in which it operates. What role does government legislation play in administering land rights and mineral rights? Does the materialistic view of recording cultural heritage captured in the legislative context underpinning all mining activity in the region arrest or facilitate the intergenerational transfer of knowledge? This session will include a joint paper between the Puutu Kunti Kurrama people and the Pinikura people and Rio Tinto about reconciliation post-Juukan. Aboriginal community knowledge of the cultural landscape is critical to understanding how mining could be done more respectfully. Through mutual values and respect can the aspirations of Traditional Owners and mining companies provide long term sustainable benefits for local communities and as a driver of Australian reconciliation?

Reconciliation and the Safeguarding of Our Rock Art Heritage Rock Art in Australia and around the world is extremely important to living indigenous peoples as it is for the descendants of past cultures. It is because of the global cultural and historical significance of rock art, as well as the threats to its survival, that we look to ensuring it is better conserved, appreciated and understood for the benefit of contemporary communities and future generations. Ensuring that the traditional owners and custodians of the rock art are an active part of the process of understanding and conservation is a vital part of the journey to reconciliation. From recording to interpretation and exposure to others they must be part of the process. In Australia as well as in many other parts of the world, coordinated approaches to rock art documentation, conservation and management overall, along with the inclusion of custodians is an ever- evolving field. This session will explore the most contemporary approaches to rock art recording, interpretation and ways of engaging with local communities and traditional owners in Australia and elsewhere to ensure that this material culture is treated with the respect and importance it deserves.

Reconsidering the Teaching and Learning of Australian Archaeology At a foundational level, developing holistic and structural change within Australian archaeology begins in the classroom. It is here that future generations of archaeologists learn and begin to apply archaeological methods and theories that not only represent best practise but increasingly are also culturally competent and inclusive. As increasing numbers of graduates enter the profession as specialists in Indigenous Archaeology, so too is the discipline welcoming Indigenous Australians as both teachers and students of archaeology. The drive to underpin, integrate and incorporate cultural knowledges, processes and protocols into learning systems are increasing through holistic and ethical frameworks. Whilst these changes are occurring on an ad hoc basis, there are growing numbers who seek to see this reform applied consistently across the nation. In this session, we invite archaeologists, students and Traditional Custodians to discuss their approaches to and experience of strategies for the integration of truth-telling and decolonising of courses, syllabi and curriculums; strategies promoting inclusive teaching; embedding Indigenous cultures, knowledges and perspectives in our teaching and learning; and approaches to recruitment and retention.

Talking to Each Other: Archaeology and Indigenous Languages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been increasingly involved with researching and promoting the survival of their own languages as well as taking an active part in archaeology. Among fields which have claimed the attention of both indigenous and non-indigenous touching on both languages and archaeology have been place names, artifacts and technology, plants and animals. The history of these and other words provide evidence of the spread of languages and the borrowing of words related to prehistoric contacts and trade, investigating such patterns shows a more nuanced picture than that of groups having been in one place for ever. Indigenous groups often have their own histories which talk about movement and change. These differences in perspective can be reconciled by understanding each other's languages and stories.

The Relationships of Origin Narratives, Seascapes and Archaeology With renewed interest on submerged coasts pushing forward debate about human settlement, maritime movements and oral traditions, a reanalysis of epistemology and ethics is timely. While the role of origin narratives in archaeology has developed, the recognition of cultural rights in seascapes is still emerging. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have rights to control and protect their cultural knowledge in maritime contexts, such as in the NT, where 85% of the coastline is Aboriginal land. In other areas land and sea management units (eg NAILSMA) help reinforce customary rights. This session sets out to explore the dialogues of 'origin' and 'arrival' within the framework of recent work on early seafaring, settlement modelling, genetics and submerged coastal landscape research. It asks how we can establish collaborative work that can reconcile origin narratives with the increasing complexity of approaches used to study settlement theory and dynamics in changing coastal landscapes. The structure of this session will include position papers to focus on the ethics, philosophy and views from country, followed by a panel-led discussion.

When the Rivers (Don’t) Flow: The Impact of Changing Flows on Culture and Heritage A flowing river is a confluence of smaller streams, weak by themselves but stronger when their waters combine. The flow of water is a conduit for connecting people to their heritage, while also providing sustenance and a spiritual connection for those who live alongside them. When water stops, the effect it has ripples and affects every aspect of life in a community. In this session, we seek to primarily look at the impact of changing flows of water primarily on culture and heritage. However, archaeology is a stream which must intertwine with other disciplines to seek means to empower communities along rivers to own their story and narrate a future of their choice. We seek to therefore examine a narrative where we look at integrated and entangled ways of living with rivers through the eyes of both modern and ‘traditional’ lifestyles.

‘Wok Bung Wantaim’ (Working Together): Archaeology in New Guinea This session invites archaeologists working in New Guinea to reflect on their collaborative projects. In particular, we welcome papers that incorporate multiple perspectives on the interpretation of various archaeological objects. For example, the archaeological, ethnographic, and other disciplinary datasets that provide unique opportunities to investigate aspects of past human strategic behaviours, migration and settlement patterns, and trade and exchange indicators that represent past and present community adaptations and socio-cultural associations. We are also interested in discussing cutting-edge research that articulates a systematic understanding of the early human occupation as well as notions of cultural continuity in New Guinea.

Working Together on a Kimberley Vision This session brings together collaborative research and community work from the ARC Linkage Project Kimberley Visions: rock art style provinces of northern Australia. With Balanggarra Aboriginal Corporation, Rangers and Traditional Owners as well as project sponsors and government departments we have sought to understand two-way knowledge around cultural heritage at a local level, while more broadly researching the possibility of a larger cultural bloc across northern Australia in the Pleistocene. We have recorded over 1,300 cultural places and excavated 11 sites. This has helped create a visual and spatially linked database, with tangible management functionality and research applications. Papers in our session will utilise data and experiences from the past five years to present collaborative interpretations which address reconciliation through bringing together Indigenous and western ontologies, creating inter-generational knowledge transfer opportunities. In addition to normal reportage on excavations, rock art recording, HDR projects and the like, we also report on and unexpected partner-driven applications such as heritage and fire management, using site recording to mitigate mining impacts, and understanding the relationship between health and heritage.