Presented in partnership with the Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology.
New Caledonia in Southern Melanesia has been a Convict Colony from 1864 until 1931. After a long period of disinterest for this historical sequence, a number of research projects have started on different aspects of this Pacific Convictism. Christophe has led a long‐term archaeological program on the topic over the past few decades, with the scope to highlight the potential contribution of archaeology to attain a better understanding of the complexity of the Convict Era in New Caledonia. The seminar will introduce the historical context and summarise the main studies undertaken, including the Central Depot of Ile Nou, on the penitentiary of Teremba or on convict buildings of Isle of Pines. The presentation will also discuss the types of material remains that have been unearthed, highlighting the massive import of French goods to New Caledonia during the second half of the 19th century.
About the speaker: Christophe Sand is the Director of the Institute of Archaeology of New Caledonia and the Pacific. His interest has mainly focused on prehistory, traditional society, and the colonial history of the archipelago and West Pacific. He works on the mechanisms of appropriation of the past in processes to build contemporary identities and the development of traditional commons. In this context, he has studied the Pacific Islands as a collective structuring of space and joint organizations. For more information on Christophe's research, see: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christophe-Sand-2
An online lecture, and part of the 2023 ASHA Seminar Series and the 2023 National Webinar Series. Find the series details here.
When: 6-7.30pm AEST / 7-8.30pm NCST / 8-9.30pm NZDT, Tuesday 23 May 2023
Where: Online via Zoom
For more information: https://asha.org.au/event/2023-asha-seminar-series-archaeology-of-convict-settlements-in-new-caledonia/