Indigenous Archaeologies in Oceania

This is an online event hosted via Zoom. To register for this event please email Tom Powell Davies or Dylan Gaffney.

Speakers

Malcolm Connolly (University of Cambridge)

Charles Radclyffe (University of Otago, New Zealand)

Abstract

This seminar session will focus on how indigenous communities, and increasingly indigenous archaeologists, are shaping archaeological research in Oceania. This research often involves collaborative archaeological survey, excavation, and scientific analyses undertaken in the context of a broader understanding of the cultural landscape and oral tradition. The speakers will discuss the changing nature of archaeological practice in their respective countries, the Solomon Islands and Australia, and in particular the different motivations of local communities, the state, and the academy in generating archaeological information. By incorporating and eventually foregrounding indigenous voices in this process, both inside and outside of academia, archaeology can produce much richer narratives about Oceania’s deep past. 

About the Speakers

Malcolm Connolly is a PhD Candidate at Darwin College, University of Cambridge, and recipient of a Charles Perkins scholarship. His PhD thesis entitled: “Living near permanent water along Eulo Ridge in the upper Murray Darling Basin: Implications from the micromorphology of buried soils near artesian springs”, examined site formation processes of finely laminated deposits and modelled Aboriginal occupation of the region. His career highlights include a BA Hons and MPhil (UQ) majoring in Aboriginal environments research, and Aboriginal and Historical Heritage specialist. Malcolm identifies as an Indigenous Australian and his culture has played a significant role in his archaeological research directions and career path.

Dr Charles J. T. Radclyffe is from Solomon Islands and recently completed his doctorate in archaeology at the University of Otago, New Zealand. His research was an investigation into the prehistoric settlement and development of networks of interaction in the western Solomon Islands, and involved collaborations with the Solomon Islands National Museum (SINM), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), provincial offices and local villages in the region. As one of Solomon Islands’ first archaeologists to hold a PhD, Charles and his mentors at the University of Otago place considerable value on centring archaeological practice in Oceania around the development of training opportunities and meaningful partnerships with its indigenous peoples.

An event organised by Risk and Renewal in the Pacific Network
Administrative assistance: networks@crassh.cam.ac.uk