Old News
Canberra Archaeological Society Newsletter
ISSN 1440-7035
August 2003
Volume 32
Canberra Archaeological Society
LPO Box A86
Australian National University
CANBERRA ACT 2601
www.geocities.com/canberraarchaeology/CAS.html
2003 Public Lecture Series
7.30pm, Wednesday 20th August
in Manning Clark Theatre 6, ANU
Mary Clare Swete Kelly
Pacific Pioneers: The Long-Distance Dispersal of Goods in
Oceanic Prehistory
The Lapita people were the first inhabitants of the remote Pacific. They were
pioneers who navigated great distances to settle remote and at times
inhospitable environments. In this presentation we will discuss the Lapita
people in the light of archaeological evidence for long distance dispersal. The
discussion will focus on the study of obsidian. Obsidian is a unique stone in that
its origins can be reconstructed. This has allowed archaeologists to examine
the indisputable movement of material over almost 3000 kilometres. The nature
of the material and its deposition can also reveal details about the social
environment in which the obsidian was transferred.
Mary-Clare is a PhD student in the Department of Archaeology and Natural
History in the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies at the ANU. She is
currently researching early Austronesian archaeological sites in Southeast Asia,
the forebears of the Lapita peoples. The research discussed in this presentation
began during her honours year but is an ongoing interest. Mary Clare has just
returned from Vanuatu where she was working on the excavation and analysis
of obsidian in a newly discovered Lapita site.
Please join us afterwards for light supper and a chat – find out how ‘down to earth’
archaeologists really are.
All welcome, entry is by gold coin donation at the door.
August 2003
CAS 40th
ANNIVERSARY!
2003
is
the
40th
Anniversary of the Canberra
Archaeological
Society!
Celebrations are being planned
but we need help from our
members to get things going. A
special edition newsletter will be
produced to commemorate the
occasion, along with a social
gathering worthy of the event.
Meanwhile, we would
appreciate
contributions
of
photographs
from
early
meetings, excavations or other
activities that might be suitable
for the newsletter (and our
archives). Maybe you have some
stories
or
‘archaeological
memories’ to share? Copies will
be made of any materials you are
willing to loan, and the originals
will be returned. Please contact
me at the details at the end of
this newsletter, or the email
below by
mid September if you have
something you would like to
contribute.
We would also like to
know where the first CAS
excavation took place – the
only suggestion we have so far
is the Duntroon Dairy – does
anyone know more than this?
FROM THE EDITOR
THIS MONTH’S TALK
This
month
we
continue our archaeological
tour of the world and focus on
the Pacific with ANU PhD
student Mary Clare Swete Kelly.
Mary Clare will be talking about
her research into the long
distance
movements
of
obsidian and the Lapita people
in the Pacific.
MEMBERSHIPS LAST REMINDER!
This is a last reminder
to those of you who have not
renewed your membership. If
you haven’t renewed, you will
find a pink sticker on your
printed newsletter, or an email
_______
note if you get Old News
electronically. If you do not
renew your membership, you
will no longer receive Old
News or notification of any
CAS events.
Please don’t lose
touch with us – renew your
membership with the forms
included in this edition!
CALL FOR
CONTRIBUTIONS
We would love to
include short pieces on
archaeologically-oriented
work our members are
involved
with,
whether
voluntary excavators or ‘dig
directors’, so send in stories
on what you are up to, and
don’t forget photos.
See you at Mary Clare’s talk!
Sylvia Schaffarczyk
Editor
sylvia.schaffarczyk@anu.edu.au
Thank you all who have paid their subs for 2003.
For those who have not yet done so you can use the attached application/renewal
form ($40 Family; $30 Single; $20 Concession). Membership fees are our only
"income" - the door donation at meetings almost covers the lecture theatre hire each
month - we need you.
Thank you!
PACIFIC ARCHAEOLOGY
If you want to
familiarise yourself with what’s
happening in the world of
Pacific archaeology before you
come to the talk next week, try
these
websites:
www.otago.ac.nz/Anthropology/
Pacific, www.archnet.asu.edu and
www.cyberpursuits.com/arc
haeo/oz-arch.asp plus links
from the usual sites listed
below.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CAS Newsletter – Vol. 32
Some useful websites. The CAR website has lots more.
CAR website: http://car.anu.edu.au
Australian Museums Online: http://aumol.usyd.edu.au/
Fieldwork opportunities:
http://car.anu.edu.au/noticeboard.html
http://www.archaeological.org/webinfo.php?page=10016 (Archaeological Institute of America)
http://www.cincpac.com/afos/testpit.html (features numerous opportunities with a variety of
institutions around the world)
http://acl.arts.usyd.edu.au/news/ongoing/fieldwork.html (opportunities advertised through the
University of Sydney)
http://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/archaeology/resources/arch_links.php (Flinders University’s webpage
has all kinds of info including links to fieldwork)
http://www.indiana.edu/~classics/AIA/internet/internet.html (The Central Indiana chapter of the
American Institute has a huge array of links to work all over the world)
Other links:
Archaeology World: http://arts.anu.edu.au/arcworld/arcworld.htm
School of Archaeology & Anthropology, Faculty of Arts (incl.Palaeoanthropology):
http://www.anu.edu.au/AandA/
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, USQ: http://www.uq.edu.au/ATSIS/
Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology: http://aima.iinet.net.au/
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies: http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/
Directory of Australian Archaeologists (University of Sydney):
http://www.archaeology.usyd.edu.au/~scripts/contacts/list_generator.cgi?aust_arch.txt
Flinders University: http://wwwehlt.flinders.edu.au/archaeology/
Archaeological Institute of America: http://www.archaeological.org/
Australian Archaeological Association: http://www.australianarchaeologicalassociation.com.au
Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc.:
http://www.archaeology.usyd.edu.au/aacai/
Australian Rock Art Research Association: http://sunspot.sli.unimelb.edu.au/aura/
August 2003
_______
2003 – MEETING AND PRESENTATION PROGRAM
DATE
Wednesday 20
August
Wednesday 17
September
Wednesday 15
October
Wednesday 19
November
SPEAKER
Mary Clare Swete Kelly
(Research School of Pacific
& Asian Studies, ANU).
Paul Rheinberger (Umwelt
[Australia] Pty Ltd,
Environmental Consultants).
Michael Westaway
(National Museum of
Australia).
Geoff Clark (School of
Archaeology &
Anthropology, ANU).
TOPIC
Pacific Pioneers: The Long-Distance
Dispersal of Goods in Oceanic Prehistory.
A consultant’s view of Australian historical
archaeology.
How long did Homo erectus survive in Java?
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The archaeology of colonization in Palau,
West Micronesia
2003 CAS COMMITTEE CONTACT DETAILS
Co-President:
Samantha McKay
(02) 6242 3617
Samantha@webone.com.au
Co-President:
Graham Connah
Graham.connah@effect.net.au
2 Warner Pl Holder ACT 2611
Secretary:
Marilyn Folger
(02) 6281 2018
folger@netspeed.com.au
3 Collier St Curtin ACT 2605
Treasurer: Peter White
(02) 62589354
pkwhite@netspeed.com.au
8 Hedland Ct Flynn
Members: Dorothy Anderson
(02) 6286 3617
dorothya@webone.com.au
8 Hannan Pl Mawson ACT 2607
Sylvia Schaffarczyk
(02) 6125 5163
0402 470 611
Sylvia.schaffarczyk@anu.edu.au
C/- School of Archaeology and
Anthropology, ANU ACT 0200
e-mail: canberraarchaeology@hotmail.com
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CAS Newsletter – Vol. 32
August 2003
_______
CANBERRA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
The Canberra Archaeological Society was formed in 1963 to cater for the needs of all people interested in archaeology. The
Society holds monthly meetings at the Australian National University. Topics from guest speakers range from Australian
prehistory to historic and classical studies. These meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month (March to November).
The meetings are usually held in lecture theatre 6 of the Manning Clark Theatres, LF Crisp Building at 7.30pm.
Members have the opportunity to attend field days on which we visit sites of significance in or near the
ACT, with background and information provided by a team leader who is usually a qualified archaeologist.
We also involve members in archaeological fieldwork, both site recording and excavation, on prehistoric and
historic sites. No experience is necessary as training on the job is provided; enthusiasm is the only
requirement and the aim is always to enjoy the time in the field.
Please return membership form with payment to:
The Treasurer, Canberra Archaeological Society
LPO Box A86
Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2601
Cheques should be made payable to: CANBERRA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC.
Membership Application – Canberra Archaeological Society
Name(s):
Address:
Phone:
Email:
(the monthly newsletter will be delivered by email where an address is provided)
Any current archaeological interests/background?
Please circle membership type: Family $40
Single $30
Concession $20
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CAS Newsletter – Vol. 32