Unearthed 2026
A series of online talks recognising the contributions of archaeology to our knowledge and understanding of Australian convict heritage, hosted by Port Arthur Historic Site.
A series of online talks recognising the contributions of archaeology to our knowledge and understanding of Australian convict heritage, hosted by Port Arthur Historic Site.
Featuring original statues, mosaics, frescoes, jewellery and everyday objects from the humblest to the most sumptuous, this Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Rome’s political, cultural and social life.
Between 1983 and 1991, archaeologists excavated one of the most contested blocks of land in Sydney – the site of Australia’s first Government House. Unearthed displays a fascinating selection of objects excavated from the site, explores the tangible and intangible histories embodied in the finds, and presents the people and stories behind the archaeological digs.
The Ballarat Heritage Festival is a community cultural festival held annually in Ballarat as a major tourist attraction. It celebrates the city’s history, drawing on Ballarat’s reputation as a historic Australian city. This festival, just one hour west of Melbourne, is all about mixing old and new, retro vibes paired with innovative thinking, celebrating country and culture, a region that’s proud and historic while forever evolving as a modern city.
Hear three emerging scholars share their research on the human experience of Amarna’s busy streets and neighbourhoods, the residents of Amarna’s emotional and social attachment to their houses, and the changing nature of domestic religious practice in the multicultural milieu of Roman Egypt.
Join us for a virtual tour of Point Puer, the British Empire’s first purpose-built boys prison. This talk first explores how archaeological research and historical records have been combined to create a detailed digital recreation of the site as it may have appeared in the 1840s. We will then step inside the 3D model and explore the prison in virtual form, to gain a deeper sense of what life may have been like for the young boys imprisoned at Point Puer.
The ancient theatre of Nea Paphos was constructed in c. 300 BCE, and was used for more than six and a half centuries as a venue for performance and spectacles. This talk will look at recent research in ancient theatre studies, particularly in terms of architecture, performance and reception by ancient audiences. Can we use the work at Paphos as a case study in better understanding the role of theatre in the Classical city?
Dream of growing up to be Dr. Ellie Sattler of Jurassic Park fame? Curious about how ancient plants can help us understand past peoples, places, and practices? Join us for a relaxed archaeobotany webinar featuring three researchers chatting about what they do, why it matters, and how tiny seeds and charred plant bits can tell surprisingly big stories.
What would you do if you discovered a fossil? Join archaeologist Sally Hurst and explore the stories behind fossils and heritage objects, and the importance of preserving them. Sally’s new book Found a Fossil bridges the gap between curiosity and action, providing an accessible guide to uncovering Australia’s rich prehistoric and cultural heritage.
Curious to discover what archaeologists do, where they work and what they find? Join local Inner West archaeologists in an exploratory display of artefacts, including those from recent excavations in the Inner West Council’s collections.
Australia has a long and complex deep time history, spanning more than 65,000 years. This professional learning day will equip Victorian teachers with foundational knowledge in archaeology and palaeoecology, directly aligned to the Australian and Victorian Curricula. Through expert sessions and hands-on excavation experience at La Trobe University, teachers will leave with the content knowledge and practical strategies to teach deep time history with confidence.
Discover the hidden stories beneath our feet at this half-day of free public talks organised to mark major milestones in Tasmanian heritage legislation. Join archaeologists, curators and heritage specialists for a fascinating look at everything from Hobart’s urban excavations to the preservation of Mawson’s Huts in Antarctica.
Step into the world of ancient drama as timeless stories from Greek and Roman theatre are brought to life in this unique collaborative performance event. The Show Must Go On! celebrates the enduring power of classical storytelling through a dynamic series of curated excerpts from some of antiquity’s most iconic plays.
Join the Canberra Archaeological Society and the ANU Centre for Archaeological Research on Friday the 22nd of May for a special National Archaeology Week public lecture, delivered by the ANU's own Professor Stuart Bedford!
Simulated archaeological excavations are effective teaching tools across educational levels, using a hands-on approach that positions students as active knowledge-makers. This presentation discusses frameworks for using simulated excavations across an Australian context, examining examples from small-scale desktop activities to life-sized simulations designed to train future professionals.
In this time of gathering uncertainty, questions are being posed about the relevance of archaeology to contemporary Australian life. In this lecture Professor Michael Westaway considers how archaeology can contribute to contemporary understanding and decision-making. The lecture highlights community-focused research undertaken with several Indigenous communities, including the Mithaka, Dunghutti, Ngampaa, Kaurareg, and Aba Wurriya.
Save the date for the first Australian Theoretical Archaeology Group (AusTAG) conference! To be held at Adelaide University from 22 to 23 May 2026.
Extent Heritage is excited to host the 2026 edition of the Sydney Historical Archaeology Practitioners Workshop (SHAP), at the Museum of Sydney. This year’s theme is ‘People, Power and Place’. Registration and the call for abstracts are open now!
At a major anniversary of the introduction of Tasmanian cultural heritage legislation, the Symposium provides an opportunity to explore how heritage is understood, valued and managed today. Please come and join the discussion, and help encourage the development of best practice cultural heritage legislation for Lutruwita/Tasmania.
The open plains of Western Melbourne are home to half-lost landmarks that tell vital stories of colonization, survival, and cultural identity. Join us for an insightful exploration into the region’s layered past and the creative future of its ruined homesteads.
In 1930, an excavation began that would reveal one of the earliest and wealthiest sanctuaries of ancient Greece – the Sanctuary of Hera Akraia at Perachora. The Perachora Peninsula Archaeological Project is now investigating the landscape surrounding this sanctuary, focusing on the site located just above it. Our project is using methodologies that were not available to researchers in the past, allowing for a more holistic picture of the settlement.
Flinders University Archaeology and History Society (ArcHSoc) invites you to join them for their annual Quiz Night! Hosted at The Tav on Campus.
Join Madeline Shanahan and a panel of experts to find out about their new book. Archaeologies of Food in Australia addresses the archaeology of food from deep time to the recent past, and spans diverse cultural groups, to address critical questions about food culture.
Discover the most iconic artefacts of Melbourne's past at Melbourne Museum, where you’ll join your knowledgeable guide in a tour across the decades to hear the hidden stories of what made Melbourne the city it is today.
A celebration of women working in archaeology, cultural and environmental heritage management. Join us for a Q & A event to find out about some of the ways women are helping to shape and guide changes in the archaeology, cultural heritage, and planning spaces in NSW.
The extensive assemblage of archaeological material that is held by the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (PAHSMA) poses a huge management challenge for the organisation. Join Sylvana Szydzik and Michael Smith to discover how a more integrated approach is helping with accessibility and with recognising the significance of the collection.
Heritage is under your feet, around you, and in you! Archaeologist Sven Ouzman will use case studies, beginning at the venue and extending outward to include fracking, fire, flood and friendships, to understand how heritage keeps us healthy. Presented as part of the Pint of Science Festival.
What do we do with the artefacts? And who is responsible for their preservation? Leading figures in archaeology, heritage and urban development engage in a lively discussion that tackles this key challenge faced by the field of Australian archaeology.
The Theban necropolis is home to New Kingdom tombs that provide vital insights into the lives of the officials who were buried there, and the times in which they lived. Intriguingly, the tombs were later reused as dwellings by Coptic Christians as part of the monastic settlement on Dra Abu el-Naga. Join Professor Boyo Ockinga, online or in person, to find out more!
As global demand for Australia’s critical and strategic minerals increases, so does the pressure on the relationship between the mining industry and Traditional Owners. How can the mining industry change the way it engages with archaeology and Indigenous cultural heritage to improve outcomes for everyone? The new ARC Training Centre for Archaeology in the Resources Sector is designed specifically to address this question. Join Prof Liam M Brady to find out more.
Join us for a thought-provoking talk from renowned archaeologist Professor Bryce Barker as he delves into the material remains of Queensland’s complex history. From his work investigating how people populated Australia to the challenging and evocative archaeology of the Native Mounted Police camps, Professor Barker’s work bridges the gap between the deep past and our shared modern heritage.
Join us for a panel event that brings the hidden history of Melbourne to the surface. Drawing on two recent conference papers, this session explores the delicate balance between excavation and conservation through the lens of local archaeological discoveries.
Explore the hidden history of the circular economy with Candace Richards, in a talk examining methods of reuse and recycling practiced by ancient peoples. Bridging the gap between museum artefacts and modern global challenges, Candace shows how archaeological insights offer solutions to contemporary sustainability efforts.
Have you ever wondered what humans were doing in the past? Come and learn all about archaeology at the Flinders University Archaeology Day, where you can hear from our staff and students about some of the exciting research we are doing, discover how to become a professional archaeologist and the careers this degree can lead to, and even get your hands dirty with some practical activities!
Discover the hidden history of the UQ St Lucia campus by competing in a scavenger hunt filled with clue-based challenges, and prizes for the winning team. After the race, join fellow students for a casual get-together with food and drinks to celebrate National Archaeology Week.
Welcome to the inaugural Queensland Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Colloquium!! Explore recent archaeological discoveries and cultural heritage projects from across Queensland through short presentations.