Western Australia

Events

03 May 2008 - 4 May 2008 : MANDURAH: Police Barracks Archaeological Public Outreach Program
A two day public program with Mandurah Museum: The test excavation of Mandurah Police Barracks will take place in Dalrymple Park next to Mandurah Museum and will be open to public participation by prior booking. Fun for all the family will also be available through a series of fun family orientated archaeological activities held at the site and the museum. The profile of archaeology and its role in telling the story of history is increasing as it is featured in a number of current popular TV programmes. During the Stretch weekend, the Mandurah Community Museum will be hosting an exciting community archaeological dig to find the remains of the 1854 Police Barracks in Dalrymple Park. Help excavate the site or come and watch and chat to the archaeologists. The dig site is on the foreshore next to the Museum at 3 Pinjarra Road. At the same time and venue and in the adjacent museum there will be family orientated archaeological fun day activities. Experience what it is like to be a Dig deeper...

10 May 2008 - 13 May 2008 : ALBANY: Excavation at Lower King
Following on from the excavation conducted last year, Albany archaeologists led by Paul Greenfeld will be conducting a second season of digging at the Windermere Street site. The site was identified by Aboriginal Elders as a camping place, amazingly well-preserved in the middle of suburban Albany. Excavations last year revealed stone tools and charcoal from campfires, with the fantastic result that the site has been tentatively dated through radio-carbon techniques to over 9000 years of age. The Albany community is invited to come down to the Windermere Street site to observe and assist with the excavation from May 10th to May 13th. Dig deeper...

14 May 2008 : DWELLINGUP: Archaeological fun day at Dwellingup Primary
Dwellingup Primary School students will become archaeologists for the day when the school holds a day of archaeological activities to teach them how archaeologists excavate and analyse artifacts. This is an in-school event for the pupils at this school. They will experience a taste of what it is like to be an archaeologist by talking to archaeologist Gaye Nayton and doing a series of fun archaeologically based activities involving real artifacts. The fun day will be followed up by archaeological lessons plans throughout the year to help give a heritage focus to learning in the lead up to Dwellingup’s centennial in 2009. Dig deeper...

14 May 2008 - 4 June 2008 : FREMANTLE: Archaeological Excavations in Fremantle
Pioneer Reserve, opposite Fremantle Railway Station, is to be investigated for its archaeological and interpretive potential, giving an insight into 19th century commercial port activity and leisure past-times in the 1920s and 30s. The excavations, funded by the City of Fremantle and Lotterywest will search for evidence of early buildings, associated artifact scatters and the 1829 shoreline in the park and adjacent Phillimore Street. The excavation, run by consultant archaeologist Jack McIlroy, is scheduled for approximately three weeks from May 14th and will run from Wednesday through Sunday each week. City of Fremantle Heritage Planner Vanessa Collins will be at the sites from 12.30pm to 1.30pm daily to discuss the digs as they are happening. According to, Ms Collins it’s rare to find an extensive archaeological landscape in a built-up area – but these areas were deemed good possibilities as investigative sites. “The Phillimore Street Precinct is within Fremantle’s West Dig deeper...

17 May 2008 : DWELLINGUP: Fawcett Track Inaugural Drive Through
The bush opening of the Fawcett Track 4WD track will be at the start of the track at Nanga Mill site at 12 noon. Be there to see a descendent of the original explorers cut the ribbon and take a guided tour along the track to a finishing ceremony and barbecue at Quindanning Hotel. In 1860 Captain Theo Fawcett and his friend Michael Pollard set off from his home at Pinjarra Park, Pinjarra to find a place of good soil and water in the wilds of Boddington which had been described to him by local indigenous people. Most of his historic route is still off road showcasing 90 kms of Jarrah forest, agricultural land, historic farmhouses, railways and bridges, an area still rich in historic archaeology. The tour will start with a welcome to country ceremony and the cutting of a ribbon by descendent of the original explorers at the start of the 90 km section of their journey which is off road. The ceremony will be held at the former site of the Nanga timber mill. Fawcett’s journey ended at Dig deeper...

18 May 2008 : FREMANTLE: Behind the scenes - Discovery of the deep
Join Ross Anderson, maritime archaeologist and Vicki Richards, conservation scientist, from the Western Australian Museum for an incredible behind the scenes look at how their work provides objects and stories for Museum exhibitions. Ross and Vicki will present exciting finds from the Museum’s research on shipwrecks off the WA coast. Dig deeper...

18 May 2008 : ALBANY: Beyond Indiana Jones - Archaeology Fun Day
Come dressed as Indiana Jones, Howard Carter, Kathleen Kenyon or any other famous archaeologist to be in the draw to win a prize for the best dressed family. Join in the family fun activities where you can make an Egyptian scribe’s palette, join the mock dig and uncover the Demon Duck of Doom or find out more about archaeology in our region. Bookings are essential for the Demon Duck of Doom- see separate listing Dig deeper...

18 May 2008 : ALBANY: Digging for the Demon Duck of Doom!
Assist the Museum dig team in the discovery of a new mega species. Using your vast knowledge and observation skills you can be among the first to recreate Bullockornis planei Dig deeper...

18 May 2008 : FREMANTLE: International Museum Day and Archaeology Week presentations
Join Western Australian Museum staff as we celebrate International Museum Day and the opening of National Archaeology Week with a series of presentations by Museum staff on recent developments, including the discovery of the HMAS Sydney. 1.00pm – 1.30pm Diana Jones, Acting Chief Executive Officer will present the vision for the new Western Australian Museum in East Perth. 1.30pm – 2.00pm Jeremy Green, Maritime Archaeologist and Acting Executive Director of Collections and Content Management will present the recent work conducted by the Maritime Archaeology Department, including national heritage listings of Cape Inscription and Beacon Island and the role WA Museum staff play in the research and documentation of these historic islands. 2.00pm – 2.30pm In the search for HMAS Sydney (II) Dr Michael (Mack) McCarthy has worked with the Finding Sydney Foundation to identify one of Australia’s most significant war ships. In this fascinating presentation Mack Dig deeper...

18 May 2008 : JARRAHDALE: Heritage Society Show and Tell
Take a guided tour around the archaeological sites in Jarrahdale Heritage Park, view the exhibition Jarrahdale Masonic Lodge No 49 W.A.C. at the Old Post Office Museum adjacent to the park and visit the show and tell Marquee. In the marquee archaeological items found at the park and in Jarrahdale backyards will be on display. There will also be information gathered from archaeological digs in places just like Jarrahdale to demonstrate just how archaeological rich our backyards can be. Jarrahdale Heritage Park contains the industrial heritage of the timber town of Jarrahdale. The sites of the timber mills, railway and associated workers homes lie as archaeological sites within the valley. Members of Jarrahdale Heritage Society will take visitors on a guided walk through the valley with knowledgeable commentary on the history of the place. At the Old Post Office Museum visitors will be able to see a large display of memorabilia from the Jarrahdale Masonic Lodge No 49 W.A.C. Adjac Dig deeper...

19 May 2008 - 23 May 2008 : ALBANY: Archaeology film screenings
A week of discovering Ancient Egypt through the eyes of archaeologists. Monday 19th May – Curse of Tutankhamen Tuesday 20th May– Cleopatra’s Palace: In search of a legend Wednesday 21st May– Nefertiti Revealed Thursday 22nd May– The Lost Mummy of Ofimotep Friday 23rd May– Journey Through the Valley of the Kings Each film is 40 minutes in length and will be screened each morning at 10.30am and each afternoon at 2.20pm in the Residency Building. Dig deeper...

19 May 2008 - 24 May 2008 : FREMANTLE: Maritime Mysteries (film)
This stunning film montage highlights the fascinating work of the Western Australian Museum maritime archaeologists. See rare footage and images of shipwrecks off the WA coastline as well as WA Museum archaeologists on expeditions around the world. Viewing the film is free with Museum entry- see the website at http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/oursites/maritime/newmm/newmm.asp for admission prices. Dig deeper...

21 May 2008 : DWELLINGUP: Holyoake Archaeological Survey
On 21st May members of Dwellingup Centennial Committee and year 7 students from Dwellingup Primary School will conduct an archaeological survey of the former timber town of Holyoake, now part of Dwellingup. Come and watch the survey, talk to archaeologist Gaye Nayton and talk to the Centennial Committee members about their plans to celebrate 100 years of Dwellingup history in 2009. Afterwards slip down the road to Dwellingup Visitor Centre to view a display on Holyoake history. Holyoake was one of the numerous timber towns which once flourished in Western Australia but is now being taken back by the bush. This survey will provide a base map of archaeological sites left within the town and document areas of disturbance. It will act as a base document for further archaeological work on sites within the town during Dwellingup’s centenary year and as a guide to better management of the heritage significance of the place. Dig deeper...

21 May 2008 : FREMANTLE: Meet the archaeologist - Shipwreck mysteries
Tracey Miller, maritime archaeologist, will discuss some of the fascinating items on display in the Museum. Dig deeper...

21 May 2008 : FREMANTLE: Behind the scenes -Shipwreck Galleries
Come behind the scenes at Shipwreck Galleries and see first hand the work being carried out by the Museum’s archaeologists and conservators. Tracey Miller, maritime archaeologist, and Vicki Richards, conservation scientist, will share some fascinating stories and show you amazing artefacts. Dig deeper...

22 May 2008 : EVERYWHERE: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The long-awaited fourth Indiana Jones film, starring Harrison Ford, Shia LeBeouf and Cate Blanchett, premieres across the world and around Western Australia on Thursday 22nd May. Set in 1957, the film sees archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones pitted against agents of the Soviet Union in a race to find a crystal skull. Check your local cinema for screening times from May 22nd onward. Dig deeper...

22 May 2008 : ALBANY: Lecture- Goldfields archaeology of North-West Queensland
museum@work Lecture: They came, they plundered, they left The history and archaeology of the Woolgar goldfield, northwest Queensland The discovery of gold brought a new source of income to the Australian colonies and there were few who were not taken with the rush to be rich. During its heyday, the remote Woolgar goldfield in rugged northwest Queensland was at the very edge of European settlement, located more that 600km from the nearest port. Life on the Woolgar was the epitome of hardship, being described by a travelling warden as the “hungriest” place he had ever had the misfortune to visit, despite it being home to several hundred people. Alice Beale, assistant curator of archaeology with the Western Australian Museum, will explore and discuss the Woolgar’s history and the archaeological traces of it that remain today. Dig deeper...

23 May 2008 : FREMANTLE: Lecture- Human skeletal remains associated with the Batavia Mutiny, 1629
Batavia Lecture: Bioarchaeological investigations on Beacon Island: excavation and analysis of human skeletal remains associated with the Batavia mutiny of 1629. Join Dr Daniel Franklin from the Centre of Forensic Science at the University of WA as he discusses the excavation and analysis of human skeletal remains found on Beacon Island and believed to be from the Batavia mutiny. Dig deeper...

23 May 2008 : MANDURAH: An evening of public talks at Murdoch University
Join archaeologists Shane Burke, Joe Dortch and Gaye Nayton as they take you through some of the amazing archaeology of the Peel region through projects they have conducted within the region and the southwest. Come and find out what a wonderful archaeological place Peel is. Talks include prehistoric heritage, the colonial heritage from farming, timber, fishing and child migrants and the early colonial heritage of Thomas Peel’s first settlement. For further information call Gaye Nayton on 9459 6203. Three Western Australian archaeologists will give presentations about various aspects of their work within the Peel region. Joe Dortch: The long view on people and environment in southwestern Australia: 45,000 years ago to AD 1826 Many people wonder how climate change will affect humanity in the coming decades. A long-term perspective from archaeology helps put climate change in context. At the end of the last ice age, about 10,000 years ago, global temperature rose five deg Dig deeper...

23 May 2008 : GERALDTON: Lecture- Western Australia’s early Dutch shipwrecks
museum@work Lecture: Western Australia’s early Dutch shipwrecks Join Wendy van Duivenvoorde, assistant curator, maritime archaeology department as she discusses the Batavia and Vergulde Draeck shipwreck excavations and their role in the beginnings of maritime archaeology in Australia. Dig deeper...

24 May 2008 : PEEL REGION: Bus tour of Indigenous sites with Bila Noongar Corporation and archaeologist Joe Dortch
You are cordially invited on a tour of traditional Binjareb sites and other points of interest in the Peel region, as our contribution to Archaeology Week 2008. We are running one tour on the 24th May 2008 and another on the 31st May 2008, should we have sufficient bookings. We are offering the tour at a special rate of $20 per adult and $10 per child under 16 years of age. We welcome your support in this enterprise and hope to see you there. The tour will leave Mandurah from Boardwalk Car Park No 9, Mandurah Terrace, opposite Hackett Street Mandurah WA at 9:00 am and will return there by 4:00pm on the day. We will provide morning and afternoon tea but lunch must be paid for by individuals in the tour group, at Edenvale, Pinjarra, where we intend to stop for lunch. Dig deeper...

24 May 2008 : JARRAHDALE: Marrinyup prisoner of war camp guided walk
Walk through this historic archaeological site with Jarrahdale Heritage Society and relive the experience of World War II prisoners through the place they lived and the artifacts they left behind. Dig deeper...

24 May 2008 : GERALDTON: Coin detectives activity
Maritime archaeologists are like shipwreck detectives. They use evidence from the wreck sites and other sources to solve mysteries from the past. In this fun, hands-on workshop, everyone can become a shipwreck detective and examine an old replica coin to unravel the stories they tell. Dig deeper...

26 May 2008 : FREMANTLE: Lecture- Under Freo, Under Frisco
A talk and slide show of recent archaeological excavations in Pioneer Park and Phillimore Street, Fremantle. This presentation will include a flashback to earlier digs at Bathers Beach and a trip across the Pacific to see how the Yanks have been doing historical archaeology in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dig deeper...

07 Jun 2008 : WOODMAN POINT: Digging up the past at Woodman Point
Did you know that bubonic plaque had touched Australia? The victims of this and other infectious diseases are buried at the cemeteries of Woodman Point Quarantine Station. A quarantine area since 1830 Woodman’s Point Quarantine Station was formally gazetted in 1879 and has two known cemeteries, both lost to bush. Hear the social history of this fascinating site and the archaeological trials and tribulations of wresting the secret of the grave locations from this enigmatic site by attending talks and touring the site with archaeologist Gaye Nayton. The site has two known cemeteries both lost to bush. A recent project funded by Lotterywest has physically located the cemeteries, mapped the surface remains in the 1918 cemetery and located and mapped grave shadows. Check out the Friends of Woodman Point webpage at www.woodmanpointquarantinestation.com to view the ongoing project in pictures and text. On the 7th June join the Friends for a program which includes talks and a tour of th Dig deeper...

Exhibitions/Displays

03 May 2008 - 31 May 2008 : PEEL REGION: Display of Peel Archaeological Projects
Do you know the exciting story of the past in our own back yard? This poster display shows the little known results of major archaeological projects undertaken in the Peel region. The display will move around various locations within the region with a changing focus to complement its location. The poster display will change project focus at its various locations but will cover the Pinjarra Heritage Precinct archaeological survey, The Banksiadale archaeological survey the Jarrahdale Heritage Park archaeological survey, Tuckey’s Cannery and more. See separate listings for MANDURAH, WAROONA and PINJARRA displays Dig deeper...

03 May 2008 - 8 May 2008 : MANDURAH: Display of Peel Archaeological Projects
Do you know the exciting story of the past in our own back yard? This poster display shows the little known results of major archaeological projects undertaken in the Peel region. The display will move around various locations within the region with a changing focus to complement its location. Mandurah Museum opening hours: Tues-Fri 10-4pm Weekends 11-3pm Dig deeper...

10 May 2008 - 15th May 2008 : WAROONA: Display of Peel Archaeological Projects
Do you know the exciting story of the past in our own back yard? This poster display shows the little known results of major archaeological projects undertaken in the Peel region. The display will move around various locations within the region with a changing focus to complement its location. Waroona Library opening hours: Tues, Thurs 10-6 pm Wednesday, Fri 10-5 pm Saturday 9-12 am Dig deeper...

16 May 2008 - 31st May 2008 : PINJARRA: Display of Peel Archaeological Projects
Do you know the exciting story of the past in our own back yard? This poster display shows the little known results of major archaeological projects undertaken in the Peel region. The display will move around various locations within the region with a changing focus to complement its location. Pinjarra Visitors Centre opening hours: Mon-Sat 9.30–4 pm Sunday 10-4pm Dig deeper...