Presented in partnership with the Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc.

Presentations:

• Tessa Boer-Mah (Heritage Now), chair.

• Tim Adams (Umwelt). A 2.7 kilometre light rail route constructed on the former heavy rail line and main CBD streets, Newcastle Light Rail was a controversial project from the outset as a result of its association with the closure of the main rail corridor into the city and media / local community focus on the inner city disruption and upheaval. Although located entirely on a rail corridor dating to the 1850s and long established roads, archaeological investigation associated with this major construction project exposed a large number of archaeological features, spread across the entire length of the route. Was the archaeological investigation just a good news story or a rare opportunity to uncover valuable evidence of Newcastle’s past?

• Fiona Hook (Archae-aus). Revisiting Yirra: >50,000 year old site in Yinhawangka Country. Yirra is a rockshelter near Paraburdoo that was first excavated in 2001 as part of heritage work associated with the expansion of a new RTIO mine. Fiona will talk about the personal side of conducting consulting archaeology, working with generations of the Yinhawangka community over 25 years and the excitement of going back to a site that you knew was important. As a result of recent research work completed at the direction of the Yinhawangka Community, Yirra is now one of the oldest habitation sites in the arid zone.

• Gary Vines (Biosis). Gary will speak on the relative merits of large scale historical salvage excavations compared with small scale research design-directed archaeological investigations. This stems from his own PhD research into early water powered flour mills, and experience on some recent relatively small development-led salvage projects. This approach contrasts with the large development-driven historical archaeology being undertaken for the Melbourne Metro project (and similar projects interstate) which may ultimately produce valuable results, but may also be hampered by lack of an hypothetical basis and the burden of vast amounts of archaeological data and artefact assemblages.

About the speakers:

• Tim Adams. Tim is a Principal Archaeologist at Umwelt. Originally from the UK, Tim has worked as an archaeologist in NSW for over 20 years, prior to which he worked on a wide range of archaeological projects internationally. Tim’s focus is on historical archaeological projects in NSW with an interest in the early settlement and development of Newcastle.

• Fiona Hook. Fiona is the Managing Director of Archae-aus. She is a prominent figure in the Australian archaeology community, holding presidency and committee roles within the Australian Archaeological Association (AAA), as well as being an honorary research fellow at the University of Western Australia. Fiona has also served as president of the Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc. (AACAI). Fiona’s determination to increase awareness and appreciation of Australian cultural heritage has led to Archae-aus being awarded Federal grants and partnerships in major research projects. She regularly runs workshops for schools and industry, delivers public lectures, presents academic papers at conferences, writes research articles and is a published archaeological illustrator. All this, while also completing a PhD in Barrow Island archaeology and looking after her family.

An online lecture, and part of the 2022 National Webinar Series. Find the series details here.

When: 1-2pm AEST, Wednesday 18 May 2022

Where: Online via Zoom

To register:  https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HWZvKVFESjO164GgeNWsuQ

For more information: contact us at NationalArchaeologyWeekAus@gmail.com