Presented by the Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology

Professor Alistair Paterson, University of Western Australia

There has been five decades of historical and maritime archaeological research into sites along the West Australian coast. The Coastal Connections ARC Future Fellowship provides a regional overview for Northwest Western Australia of related industrial and colonial activities and their associated archaeological expressions. This regional perspective highlights ‘deep histories’ of resource extraction and the translocation of labourers. Archaeology provides insight into the role of Aboriginal people in these industries, as – variously — on-Country, indentured or unfree labourers. The presence of Asian industries and laborers highlights regional complexities often overlooked, as well the role of Asian indentured labourers as Australia’s rejection of non-‘White’ labourers grew. This historical archaeological evidence is used to consider Western and northern Australia in wider histories of Imperialism, globalisation and industrialisation.

For more information on this Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship project, visit the project website at: https://www.crarm.uwa.edu.au/blog/categories/coastal-connections.

When: 6-7pm AEST, Wednesday 18 May 2022

Where: Online via zoom

Bookings: Via Eventbrite (the link will be available from 4 May)

For more information: https://asha.org.au/event/the-historical-archaeology-of-australias-place-in-the-colonial-indian-ocean-world/