Queensland

Events

18 May 2008 : Mill Point Heritage Walk: The Archaeology of a Noosa Landscape
Karen Murphy and Steve Nichols, UQ archaeologists and coordinators of the Mill Point Archaeological Project, will lead this walking tour of the late nineteenth century sawmill, cemetery and domestic areas as well as remains of the early twentieth century dairying industry. Dig deeper...

18 May 2008 - Monday 19 May 2008 : Searching for early Redcliffe
Redcliffe is the site of Queensland's first European settlement -perhaps the most historically significant site in the state. In 1824 John Oxley landed at Redcliffe Point with a contingent of soldiers, convicts and support personnel. In May 1825 the settlement moved to the site that became the city of Brisbane. Nothing visible now remains of that first settlement at Redcliffe, but geophysical surveys (just like on Time Team!) are being conducted at two sites to try and pinpoint the location of some of the early structures. These include a convict-built brick kiln (thought to be in parkland next to the Redcliffe Museum, 75 Anzac Avenue) and the convict barracks (now a car park at 47 Redcliffe Parade, fronting on to Sutton Street). These surveys are supported by Moreton Bay Regional Council and the University of Queensland Archaeological Services Unit. Dig deeper...

19 May 2008 - 23 May 2008 : Archaeology at the Museum
Short 10-minute talks on archaeology will be provided by Museum staff during NAW. Dig deeper...

19 May 2008 : Hall Lecture - The slaying of the Narrabeen Man
The Hall Lecture will be a highlight of the annual National Archaeology Week Calendar. The Hall Lecture honours the contributions of Associate Professor Jay Hall who retired from the University of Queensland in 2007 after more than 30 years of service to the Australian archaeology community. The archaeology programme at UQ, the fundamentals of which were developed by Jay, has produced several generations of scholars who continue to influence archaeological thinking in this country and beyond. Celebrated as a gifted teacher and a pioneer of Queensland archaeology, Jay leaves a rich legacy of scholarship and achievement across a wide range of archaeological endeavours. The speaker for the second annual Hall Lecture is Dr Jo McDonald, who is director of Jo McDonald Cultural Heritage Management Pty Ltd, and Senior Adjunct Research Fellow at Australian National University. Dr McDonald’s topic is ‘The slaying of the Narrabeen Man: first Australian archaeological evidence for use of a death spear'. Abstract: In 2005, excavation below a bus shelter in the beachside suburb of Narrabeen in northern Sydney recovered the first Australian archaeological evidence for death by spearing and for the use of backed artefacts as spear armatures. Analysis of the articulated skeletal remains of an adult Aboriginal male showed that he had been slain and abandoned, unburied, in a coastal dune around 4,000 years ago. The associated stone artefact assemblage included three fragments embedded within or between bones. Anatomical, forensic and artefact studies indicate death by spearing. Ritual punishment using barbed death spears was witnessed at European contact in the Sydney region. The Narrabeen man provides early archaeological evidence for ritual or payback killing by spearing. The timing of this event is significant for understanding other archaeological indicators of increased social complexity across south-eastern Australia. Dig deeper...

21 May 2008 : Gummingurru Aboriginal Stone Arrangement Site
Gummingurru is one of the largest and most complex Aboriginal stone arrangements sites in Queensland. It was originally a male initiation site, but has not been used for this purpose since the late 19th century. Today the site is being developed by the traditional Aboriginal custodians as a place of reconcilliation and education about Aboriginal culture. Members of the public and school groups are welcome to visit the site on this day. Activities include: Tours of the stone arrangements Children's games and activities at the visitor's centre Talks by traditional custodians and an archaeologists about the significance of the site Dig deeper...

22 May 2008 - 24 May 2008 : Toowong Cemetery Uncovered
Archaeologists from the University of Queensland along with the Friends of Toowong Cemetery will continue excavations begun in 2006 to uncover buried monuments. The excavations will run 22-24 May with school groups involved for the first two days. In addition to the excavations the story of Elizabeth Dale, who drowned at the cemetery in 1905, will be retold and the graves of those involved in the story visited. Members of the public are welcome 9am – 2pm Saturday 24 May. There will also be displays about some of the cemetery’s occupants, and some of the material recovered last year. Dig deeper...

22 May 2008 : The Archaeology of Food
Come and find out how archaeologists have rediscovered what people ate in the past. Illustrated with examples from Europe, Asia and Australia, this archaeogastronomic world tour looks into ancient kitchens, rubbish dumps, intestines and sewers, piecing together the foods of the ancients. Dig deeper...

23 May 2008 : Of Pyramids and Galleons: Pseudoscience, archaeo-appeal and colonial identity in southeast Queensland, Australia
Free public talk by UQ archaeologist Steve Nichols on pseudoscience, archaeo-appeal and colonial identity in southeast Queensland Abstract The popular archaeology of southeast Queensland has a strong tradition of pseudoscientific claims about ‘secret visitors’ in the past. Two well-known examples are the claims of a mysterious ‘pyramid’ at the hinterland township of Gympie, and the purported wreck of a ‘Spanish Galleon’ on Stradbroke Island in Moreton Bay. The promotion of these theories has become a thriving cottage industry, with books, news stories, websites and documentary film being produced for consumption within and beyond the region. Analysis of this material shows that it blatantly exploits all the elements of popular ‘archaeo-appeal’, combining adventure, mystery and conspiracy with buried treasure, established stereotypes, and the promise of an explosive secret that will inevitably ‘rewrite the history books’. But the enduring public fascination with these theories is also firmly situated in long-standing and deep-seated Eurocentric discourses about the past which continue to reproduce colonial identities within the dominant settler culture of contemporary Australia. In light of recent postcolonial trajectories in Australian archaeology, it is suggested that local manifestations of ‘fringe archaeology’, such as the case studies considered here, are a key public arena in which to engage and unsettle the colonial ‘tropes’ that characterise much popular thinking about the past. Dig deeper...

23 May 2008 - 24 May 2008 : Stone Tool Making Workshop
Stone tool making workshop for adults with Dr Mark Moore (University of New England). Dig deeper...

24 May 2008 : Indiana Jones Archaeology Fun Day
Day of activities for children including: Roman shield and sword painting workshops, Stone Tool making workshop, Egyptian mummification Workshop, Treasure hunt for littlies, Mini Greek Olympics Meet the Archaeologist, come dressed as Indiana Jones - Prizes to be won. Make a prehistoric pinch pot, meet roving characters from the past, have your face painted like an ancient Egyptian. There will be stalls, Food, Entertainment and lots of fun. Dig deeper...

24 May 2008 : Landsborough Archaeology Walking Tour
Come and find out about Landsborough's past on a walking tour around some of its historical sights with Steven Chaddock (Sunshine Coast Regional Council heritage Officer) and Andrew Fairbairn (Archaeology, The University of Queensland). Meet at the Landsborough Railway Station ticket office at 10.30am. Walk will last 1-1.5 hours and terminates at the historic Landsborough Hotel. Dig deeper...

24 May 2008 : Abbey Museum Archaeological Night Dig
Activity for adults. Cost includes entry, T-shirt and sausage sizzle. Dig deeper...

Exhibitions/Displays

01 May 2008 - 31 May 2008 : Dandiiri Maiwar, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures Centre
Dandiiri Maiwar is a vibrant and living Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures Centre at Queensland Museum South Bank showcasing Queensland’s Indigenous people. Engage with Australia’s two distinct Indigenous cultures through their stories, artefacts, photographs, art and music. Celebrate the cultural diversity, innovation and creativity of Queensland’s Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders. Explore the richness and complexity of life through the diverse experiences, perspectives and stories of the first people of this country. Share stories from communities, clan groups, families and individuals from all over Queensland who have opened their lives and hearts for you. Experience triumphs and tragedies, histories and hopes for the future, dreams and achievements - through stories from places including the Torres Strait Islands, Yarrabah, Aurukun, Cape York, Hopevale, Townsville, Cairns, Lockhart River, Laura and Cherbourg. Dig deeper...

01 May 2008 - 31 May 2008 : Get up close with artefacts at Queensland Museum's Inquiry Centre
Material from archaeological excavations at Cathedral Cave will be on display in the Inquiry Centre. There are also hands-on activities include viewing residues on stone artefacts under the microscope, and handling stone artefacts. Dig deeper...

03 May 2008 - 24 May 2008 : Toowong Library Display
Archaeology display in the Toowong Library. Dig deeper...

12 May 2008 - 6 June 2008 : The Archaeology of Victorian Childhood
The Victorian period presents something of a watershed in social attitudes to children, marking the point at which 'childhood' was recognised as a distinct stage of life. Incorporating artefacts excavated from archaeological sites around Queensland, and items on loan from the Redland Museum, this display presents current research into the nature of childhood in 19th century Queensland, exploring the ways in which the new Victorian ideals regarding children were played out in this colonial setting. Dig deeper...

18 May 2008 - 24 May 2008 : People from the Past Trail
Survey for archaeological remnants with the Queensland Museum's "People from the Past" trail. Follow a trail through the museum to discover archaeological artefacts on display. Collect a trail brochure from Level 2. Dig deeper...