Brad Duncan | University of New England - Australia (original) (raw)
Books by Brad Duncan
Archaeopress Archaeology, 2016
In 2008, intensive archaeological surveys began at Caution Bay, located 20km to the northwest of ... more In 2008, intensive archaeological surveys began at Caution Bay, located 20km to the northwest of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The excavation of 122 stratified sites in 2009-2010 followed, and detailed analysis of the well-preserved and abundant faunal, ceramic and lithic finds has continued ever since. The Caution Bay Archaeology Project is providing new and exciting contributions to the western Pacific past. It has radically expanded the known geographic distribution of the Lapita Cultural Complex to include, for the first time, the southern coast of Papua New Guinea; it has established the relationship of Lapita to later cultural expressions in this area; it has pinpointed the time of arrival of domesticated animals along the southern coast of Papua New Guinea and, by inference, on the larger island of New Guinea; it has provided new insights into the impact of resident populations on local terrestrial and marine environments over a 5000 year time period; and perhaps of greatest significance, it has provided a unique opportunity to document, using multiple strands of archaeological evidence, interactions between resident and colonizing populations at a time of cultural transformation c. 2900 years ago. The first volume of the Caution Bay monograph series introduces the goals of the Caution Bay project, the nature and scope of the investigations and the cultural and natural setting of the study area. To this end, a series of chapters are included on the ethnographic and linguistic setting, the natural environment, archaeological surveys of the study area and investigative and analytical methods. These background chapters will be repeatedly referred to in all the other monographs, as foundational reference materials for the broader study. Subsequent volumes of Caution Bay Studies in Archaeology will each detail the results of excavations at a number of sites while addressing specific research themes, including Lapita colonization, ceramic transformations, long distance ceramic trade, spatial and temporal faunal resource use patterns, technological transformations, cross-cultural interactions and other themes.
This book explores the historical and archaeological evidence of the relationships between a coas... more This book explores the historical and archaeological evidence of the relationships between a coastal community and the shipwrecks that have occurred along the southern Australian shoreline over the last 160 years. It moves beyond a focus on shipwrecks as events and shows the short and long term economic, social and symbolic significance of wrecks and strandings to the people on the shoreline. This volume draws on extensive oral histories, documentary and archaeological research to examine the tensions within the community, negotiating its way between its roles as shipwreck saviours and salvors.
The Tragic Blunder! The fate of the HMAS Australia - Guardian of the Southern Seas On 12 Apr... more The Tragic Blunder! The fate of the HMAS Australia - Guardian of the Southern Seas
On 12 April 1924, the former HMAS Australia, the largest warship in the Australian fleet was towed 50km east of Sydney Heads and scuttled with full military honours. Eulogies were read, strong naval men were wet eyed and public outrage flared at the loss of the first flagship of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). This highly significant vessel was Australia's only battlecruiser, was the grandmother/ centrepiece of the Royal Australian Naval Fleet, and prevented German aggression in the South Pacific during World War I. The wreck lay undisturbed for many years until its accidental discovery in 400m of water 1990. However, due to its extreme depth, a survey was not undertaken of the site until the RAN (at the request of the Heritage Branch) directed a suitable deep water ROV unit (US CURV) to undertake the first photographic survey of the site in 2007. This paper presents a potted history of this vessel which led to its sinking, along with the survey results and analyses which have documented key diagnostic elements of this, Australia's largest protected Historic Shipwreck.
A guide to archaeological recording Aboriginal Heritage Sites in Victoria, Australia
Papers by Brad Duncan
Routledge eBooks, Jun 7, 2023
This thesis is dedicated to my late mother, Shirley Duncan (nee Ashcroft) who germinated the seed... more This thesis is dedicated to my late mother, Shirley Duncan (nee Ashcroft) who germinated the seed of archaeological enquiry in a young mind, and to my children, Emily and Liam, who gave me the inspiration to tend it through to fruition. I could not have done it without your support and love. v Acknowledgements/ Statement of the Contribution of Others Where do I begin! So many people deserve credit for their contributions to this thesis. This project relied heavily on the collection of oral histories, and I owe the people of Queenscliff a huge debt of gratitude for opening their hearts and homes to a complete stranger to speak of their personal experiences, and without whose backing this thesis would still be a series of scribbled ideas on some scraps of paper. The following people participated and kindly shared their knowledge of the study area and/or other aspects of interest during oral history interviews/discussions:
When the land meets the sea, 2011
... Parramatta, NSW 2124, Australia e-mail: Brad.Duncan@planning.nsw.gov.au ... maritime environm... more ... Parramatta, NSW 2124, Australia e-mail: Brad.Duncan@planning.nsw.gov.au ... maritime environment in disparate ways, and accordingly, multiple maritime cultural landscapes will exist ... rescue services; mer-cantile shipping; defense installations; and tourism, shipwreck salvage ...
Historical Archaeology, Jun 1, 2019
Authorea (Authorea), Dec 29, 2022
This a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary.
A loss of place-names, and of the knowledge of history those named places hold, is effectively a ... more A loss of place-names, and of the knowledge of history those named places hold, is effectively a significant cultural loss, and for this reason it was deemed important to record named places at Caution Bay before those localities were permanently altered. Therefore, named, culturally meaningful places within and near the Caution Bay study area were recorded in conjunction with local Koita and Motu community members in 2008-2010. This mapping was undertaken in two steps, the first consisting of opportunistic recording of place names during early, preliminary stages of fieldwork in 2008 and 2009; and the second a focused study undertaken in early 2010 explicitly aimed at recording place names and their cultural significance in the face of imminent developments that would forever transform the landscape. This chapter presents the results of these studies.
Historical Archaeology, 2019
International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 2018
This paper examines the theory and practice of the maritime cultural landscape in general, and pr... more This paper examines the theory and practice of the maritime cultural landscape in general, and projects the theoretical concepts and aspects involved on the highly dynamic late medieval northeastern Zuiderzee region in the Netherlands. The cultivation of land and marine erosion (floods and rising sea level) are considered as the main factors that caused the transformation of the physical landscape of this region from peatlands with freshwater basins into a tidal lagoon. As a consequence, multiple settlements drowned, large areas of land submerged, and culture and the landscape gradually became more maritime, giving the research area a cultural identity and dimension.
The Archaeology of Watercraft Abandonment, 2013
ABSTRACT In the aftermath of World War I, a fleet of German and Austro-Hungarian vessels was inte... more ABSTRACT In the aftermath of World War I, a fleet of German and Austro-Hungarian vessels was intentionally scuttled on the Wingecarribee River in the southern highlands of New South Wales. These were not warships or merchant vessels, but a collection of timber canoes and kayaks, handcrafted from local materials by mariners interned at the Berrima Detention Camp from 1915-1919. These watercraft were used for daily leisure but soon became the focal point of carnivals held by internees, during which vessels were elaborately embellished to appear as gondolas, submarines, bi-planes, models of famous German yachts and clippers, dragons and even a shark. Such fantasy craft were paraded in competition and pitted against each other in mock battles; festivities that increasingly attracted spectators from as far away as Sydney. In 1978, one of these watercraft was found washed up on river bank. It was retrieved, conserved and now holds pride of place in the Berrima District Museum. Since then, several efforts have been made to locate the submerged fleet. This chapter recounts what is known about these watercraft from historical sources, the unusual circumstances and motivations behind their abandonment, their significance from both a research and social perspective, and the ongoing search to find them.
River Research and Applications
The Clarence River (New South Wales, Australia) was the main transport corridor for the timber an... more The Clarence River (New South Wales, Australia) was the main transport corridor for the timber and sugar cane industries operating in the catchment from the 1860s to the 1970s. Using archaeological, documentary, and oral historical resources we explore some of the anthropogenic impacts of these industries upon the fluvial geomorphology of the lower Clarence River. In particular, the deliberate abandonment of obsolete vessels on the river system is a focus. These discarded former cane and timber barges have been used as erosion control devices in several areas around the Harwood Island sugar mill, resulting in the accumulation of sediments and the establishment of mangrove environments in what were degraded areas.
Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, 2020
Shipwrecks have been conventionally examined archaeologically from various aspects (including shi... more Shipwrecks have been conventionally examined archaeologically from various aspects (including ship design, cargoes and trade route identification, and have traditionally been regarded as tragic catastrophic events. Victorian shipwrecks occurred within a near-shore arena, often close to the coasts of small isolated maritime communities. These incidents potentially stimulate a range of reactive behavioural traits and perceptions from nearby residents, which have not been extensively explored, and may offer new understandings of the effects of shipping mishaps on frontier societies. A range of responses to altruistic/opportunistic reactions to maritime disasters is examined in a maritime cultural landscape context, along with new archaeological characterisations and material culture associated with the exploitation of shipping mishaps around Queenscliffe in Victoria, Australia. These observations present interesting new insights into understanding the maritime cultural landscapes of shipping mishaps and their subsequent archaeological signatures from social and cultural perspectives.
In 2003, the authors were shown a chart which contained an obscure reference to 'hulks' t... more In 2003, the authors were shown a chart which contained an obscure reference to 'hulks' that were located along the entrance to the Yarra River at Melbourne, Australia. Local researchers had identified that the vessels on the map may have been the remains of former gold-rush era prison hulks which were once located off Williamstown, in Hobsons Bay. If true, these buried vessels represent a significant resource for understanding the nature of this nineteenth century form of incarceration. However, geo-referencing of historic plans indicates that the last known position of the hulks is now beneath reclaimed land. With limited scope for invasive testing, an interesting methodological question emerged of how to confirm the archaeological potential for physical remains to survive in situ.
Site Formation Processes of Submerged Shipwrecks, 2016
Many studies of maritime site formation processes have concentrated upon the various natural and ... more Many studies of maritime site formation processes have concentrated upon the various natural and to a lesser extent cultural processes physically impacting the remnants of the vessel (shipwreck) and closely associated artefacts, while ignoring wider influences that have resulted in the current archaeological records. This chapter explores how cultural processes not only affect the transformation of a ship into a shipwreck site, but also how continuing human interactions can produce other archaeological sites that are equally important for understanding the archaeology of shipwrecks. In addition, we consider how wider cultural practices, systems and ideologies also warrant investigation when researching behavioural aspects of shipwreck site formation processes.
Australian Archaeology, 2017
The name 'Norfolk Island' has long been synonymous with its use between 1825 and 1855 as a harsh ... more The name 'Norfolk Island' has long been synonymous with its use between 1825 and 1855 as a harsh punishment station for recidivist British convicts. Much of its previous archaeological investigation has focused on the conservation and management of standing structures from that period, to the detriment of an overall understanding of the archaeology of the island. This paper reviews the several phases of post-1788 occupation of this tiny and remote outpost of the British Empire and considers the archaeological potential of each of these distinct phases of free and unfree habitation. New directions and themes for further archaeological research are considered, including broader comparison with contemporary mainland Australian free and convict settlements and a focus on processes of adaptation and re-appropriation of buildings, sites and landscape by successive colonist groups.
Archaeopress Archaeology, 2016
In 2008, intensive archaeological surveys began at Caution Bay, located 20km to the northwest of ... more In 2008, intensive archaeological surveys began at Caution Bay, located 20km to the northwest of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The excavation of 122 stratified sites in 2009-2010 followed, and detailed analysis of the well-preserved and abundant faunal, ceramic and lithic finds has continued ever since. The Caution Bay Archaeology Project is providing new and exciting contributions to the western Pacific past. It has radically expanded the known geographic distribution of the Lapita Cultural Complex to include, for the first time, the southern coast of Papua New Guinea; it has established the relationship of Lapita to later cultural expressions in this area; it has pinpointed the time of arrival of domesticated animals along the southern coast of Papua New Guinea and, by inference, on the larger island of New Guinea; it has provided new insights into the impact of resident populations on local terrestrial and marine environments over a 5000 year time period; and perhaps of greatest significance, it has provided a unique opportunity to document, using multiple strands of archaeological evidence, interactions between resident and colonizing populations at a time of cultural transformation c. 2900 years ago. The first volume of the Caution Bay monograph series introduces the goals of the Caution Bay project, the nature and scope of the investigations and the cultural and natural setting of the study area. To this end, a series of chapters are included on the ethnographic and linguistic setting, the natural environment, archaeological surveys of the study area and investigative and analytical methods. These background chapters will be repeatedly referred to in all the other monographs, as foundational reference materials for the broader study. Subsequent volumes of Caution Bay Studies in Archaeology will each detail the results of excavations at a number of sites while addressing specific research themes, including Lapita colonization, ceramic transformations, long distance ceramic trade, spatial and temporal faunal resource use patterns, technological transformations, cross-cultural interactions and other themes.
This book explores the historical and archaeological evidence of the relationships between a coas... more This book explores the historical and archaeological evidence of the relationships between a coastal community and the shipwrecks that have occurred along the southern Australian shoreline over the last 160 years. It moves beyond a focus on shipwrecks as events and shows the short and long term economic, social and symbolic significance of wrecks and strandings to the people on the shoreline. This volume draws on extensive oral histories, documentary and archaeological research to examine the tensions within the community, negotiating its way between its roles as shipwreck saviours and salvors.
The Tragic Blunder! The fate of the HMAS Australia - Guardian of the Southern Seas On 12 Apr... more The Tragic Blunder! The fate of the HMAS Australia - Guardian of the Southern Seas
On 12 April 1924, the former HMAS Australia, the largest warship in the Australian fleet was towed 50km east of Sydney Heads and scuttled with full military honours. Eulogies were read, strong naval men were wet eyed and public outrage flared at the loss of the first flagship of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). This highly significant vessel was Australia's only battlecruiser, was the grandmother/ centrepiece of the Royal Australian Naval Fleet, and prevented German aggression in the South Pacific during World War I. The wreck lay undisturbed for many years until its accidental discovery in 400m of water 1990. However, due to its extreme depth, a survey was not undertaken of the site until the RAN (at the request of the Heritage Branch) directed a suitable deep water ROV unit (US CURV) to undertake the first photographic survey of the site in 2007. This paper presents a potted history of this vessel which led to its sinking, along with the survey results and analyses which have documented key diagnostic elements of this, Australia's largest protected Historic Shipwreck.
A guide to archaeological recording Aboriginal Heritage Sites in Victoria, Australia
Routledge eBooks, Jun 7, 2023
This thesis is dedicated to my late mother, Shirley Duncan (nee Ashcroft) who germinated the seed... more This thesis is dedicated to my late mother, Shirley Duncan (nee Ashcroft) who germinated the seed of archaeological enquiry in a young mind, and to my children, Emily and Liam, who gave me the inspiration to tend it through to fruition. I could not have done it without your support and love. v Acknowledgements/ Statement of the Contribution of Others Where do I begin! So many people deserve credit for their contributions to this thesis. This project relied heavily on the collection of oral histories, and I owe the people of Queenscliff a huge debt of gratitude for opening their hearts and homes to a complete stranger to speak of their personal experiences, and without whose backing this thesis would still be a series of scribbled ideas on some scraps of paper. The following people participated and kindly shared their knowledge of the study area and/or other aspects of interest during oral history interviews/discussions:
When the land meets the sea, 2011
... Parramatta, NSW 2124, Australia e-mail: Brad.Duncan@planning.nsw.gov.au ... maritime environm... more ... Parramatta, NSW 2124, Australia e-mail: Brad.Duncan@planning.nsw.gov.au ... maritime environment in disparate ways, and accordingly, multiple maritime cultural landscapes will exist ... rescue services; mer-cantile shipping; defense installations; and tourism, shipwreck salvage ...
Historical Archaeology, Jun 1, 2019
Authorea (Authorea), Dec 29, 2022
This a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary.
A loss of place-names, and of the knowledge of history those named places hold, is effectively a ... more A loss of place-names, and of the knowledge of history those named places hold, is effectively a significant cultural loss, and for this reason it was deemed important to record named places at Caution Bay before those localities were permanently altered. Therefore, named, culturally meaningful places within and near the Caution Bay study area were recorded in conjunction with local Koita and Motu community members in 2008-2010. This mapping was undertaken in two steps, the first consisting of opportunistic recording of place names during early, preliminary stages of fieldwork in 2008 and 2009; and the second a focused study undertaken in early 2010 explicitly aimed at recording place names and their cultural significance in the face of imminent developments that would forever transform the landscape. This chapter presents the results of these studies.
Historical Archaeology, 2019
International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 2018
This paper examines the theory and practice of the maritime cultural landscape in general, and pr... more This paper examines the theory and practice of the maritime cultural landscape in general, and projects the theoretical concepts and aspects involved on the highly dynamic late medieval northeastern Zuiderzee region in the Netherlands. The cultivation of land and marine erosion (floods and rising sea level) are considered as the main factors that caused the transformation of the physical landscape of this region from peatlands with freshwater basins into a tidal lagoon. As a consequence, multiple settlements drowned, large areas of land submerged, and culture and the landscape gradually became more maritime, giving the research area a cultural identity and dimension.
The Archaeology of Watercraft Abandonment, 2013
ABSTRACT In the aftermath of World War I, a fleet of German and Austro-Hungarian vessels was inte... more ABSTRACT In the aftermath of World War I, a fleet of German and Austro-Hungarian vessels was intentionally scuttled on the Wingecarribee River in the southern highlands of New South Wales. These were not warships or merchant vessels, but a collection of timber canoes and kayaks, handcrafted from local materials by mariners interned at the Berrima Detention Camp from 1915-1919. These watercraft were used for daily leisure but soon became the focal point of carnivals held by internees, during which vessels were elaborately embellished to appear as gondolas, submarines, bi-planes, models of famous German yachts and clippers, dragons and even a shark. Such fantasy craft were paraded in competition and pitted against each other in mock battles; festivities that increasingly attracted spectators from as far away as Sydney. In 1978, one of these watercraft was found washed up on river bank. It was retrieved, conserved and now holds pride of place in the Berrima District Museum. Since then, several efforts have been made to locate the submerged fleet. This chapter recounts what is known about these watercraft from historical sources, the unusual circumstances and motivations behind their abandonment, their significance from both a research and social perspective, and the ongoing search to find them.
River Research and Applications
The Clarence River (New South Wales, Australia) was the main transport corridor for the timber an... more The Clarence River (New South Wales, Australia) was the main transport corridor for the timber and sugar cane industries operating in the catchment from the 1860s to the 1970s. Using archaeological, documentary, and oral historical resources we explore some of the anthropogenic impacts of these industries upon the fluvial geomorphology of the lower Clarence River. In particular, the deliberate abandonment of obsolete vessels on the river system is a focus. These discarded former cane and timber barges have been used as erosion control devices in several areas around the Harwood Island sugar mill, resulting in the accumulation of sediments and the establishment of mangrove environments in what were degraded areas.
Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, 2020
Shipwrecks have been conventionally examined archaeologically from various aspects (including shi... more Shipwrecks have been conventionally examined archaeologically from various aspects (including ship design, cargoes and trade route identification, and have traditionally been regarded as tragic catastrophic events. Victorian shipwrecks occurred within a near-shore arena, often close to the coasts of small isolated maritime communities. These incidents potentially stimulate a range of reactive behavioural traits and perceptions from nearby residents, which have not been extensively explored, and may offer new understandings of the effects of shipping mishaps on frontier societies. A range of responses to altruistic/opportunistic reactions to maritime disasters is examined in a maritime cultural landscape context, along with new archaeological characterisations and material culture associated with the exploitation of shipping mishaps around Queenscliffe in Victoria, Australia. These observations present interesting new insights into understanding the maritime cultural landscapes of shipping mishaps and their subsequent archaeological signatures from social and cultural perspectives.
In 2003, the authors were shown a chart which contained an obscure reference to 'hulks' t... more In 2003, the authors were shown a chart which contained an obscure reference to 'hulks' that were located along the entrance to the Yarra River at Melbourne, Australia. Local researchers had identified that the vessels on the map may have been the remains of former gold-rush era prison hulks which were once located off Williamstown, in Hobsons Bay. If true, these buried vessels represent a significant resource for understanding the nature of this nineteenth century form of incarceration. However, geo-referencing of historic plans indicates that the last known position of the hulks is now beneath reclaimed land. With limited scope for invasive testing, an interesting methodological question emerged of how to confirm the archaeological potential for physical remains to survive in situ.
Site Formation Processes of Submerged Shipwrecks, 2016
Many studies of maritime site formation processes have concentrated upon the various natural and ... more Many studies of maritime site formation processes have concentrated upon the various natural and to a lesser extent cultural processes physically impacting the remnants of the vessel (shipwreck) and closely associated artefacts, while ignoring wider influences that have resulted in the current archaeological records. This chapter explores how cultural processes not only affect the transformation of a ship into a shipwreck site, but also how continuing human interactions can produce other archaeological sites that are equally important for understanding the archaeology of shipwrecks. In addition, we consider how wider cultural practices, systems and ideologies also warrant investigation when researching behavioural aspects of shipwreck site formation processes.
Australian Archaeology, 2017
The name 'Norfolk Island' has long been synonymous with its use between 1825 and 1855 as a harsh ... more The name 'Norfolk Island' has long been synonymous with its use between 1825 and 1855 as a harsh punishment station for recidivist British convicts. Much of its previous archaeological investigation has focused on the conservation and management of standing structures from that period, to the detriment of an overall understanding of the archaeology of the island. This paper reviews the several phases of post-1788 occupation of this tiny and remote outpost of the British Empire and considers the archaeological potential of each of these distinct phases of free and unfree habitation. New directions and themes for further archaeological research are considered, including broader comparison with contemporary mainland Australian free and convict settlements and a focus on processes of adaptation and re-appropriation of buildings, sites and landscape by successive colonist groups.
When the Land Meets the Sea, 2015
This chapter presents the archaeological evidence of the sites and landscape elements associated ... more This chapter presents the archaeological evidence of the sites and landscape elements associated with shipwreck prevention and mitigation, as a way of alerting archaeologists to how these diverse sites can be identified and considered as part of a shipping risk management system. This includes navigation structures such as lighthouses, beacons, buoys and signal stations, as well as channel creation and environmental management. The archaeological evidence for the pilot service as the most significant of the prevention services is considered. Non-physical elements of place and toponymy are also discussed, as is the methodology of data collection and the interplay between oral, historical and archaeological data sets.
When the Land Meets the Sea, 2015
This chapter presents the Queenscliffe community’s relationships and reactions to shipping mishap... more This chapter presents the Queenscliffe community’s relationships and reactions to shipping mishaps as being, at least in part, a function of their perception of and adaptation to risk and crisis. It also considers the diversity of responses by different groups in their saviour versus salvor roles, and how changes over time in attitudes towards shipping mishaps are expressed in the physical and social landscape. This includes a discussion of the creation of social structure, and the emergence of tradition and identity within Queenscliffe, including through formal and informal processes of commemoration and superstition. The short- and long-term impacts of shipping mishaps upon the economic structure of the community are considered, including the commodification of the town’s shipwreck heritage, the place of “dark tourism”, and the manipulation of history and folklore to construct a cultural landscape palatable to different types of tourist experience. These legacies are also seen from the perspective of how they influence present-day community understandings and interactions with the physical and symbolic aspects of their shipwreck heritage.
When the Land Meets the Sea, 2015
This chapter explores the Queenscliffe community’s responses during the pre-impact phase when a s... more This chapter explores the Queenscliffe community’s responses during the pre-impact phase when a shipping disaster seemed imminent, as well as the impact phase when the wreck or stranding was happening. This was a critical period where those aboard and ashore had to make decisions and undertake actions which could significantly influence the course of events and their consequences, including the resultant archaeological record. In particular, the role and procedures of the lifeboat service are considered. Following this is an examination of the recoil and rescue phases where the immediate threat to life had receded and the community and survivors dealt with the aftermath of the disaster. One of the important elements within this chapter is the balance between formal (government) and informal (community) roles and responses from those based on land, as well as tensions between their altruistic versus opportunistic motivations. Sensitive treatment of survivors and the dead is contrasted to economically driven salvage processes, looting and exploitation of disaster as a tourism opportunity.
When the Land Meets the Sea, 2015
This chapter provides the historical and environmental background to the establishment of the tow... more This chapter provides the historical and environmental background to the establishment of the town of Queenscliffe and summarizes the pattern and nature of the shipping mishaps which occurred in the region. It then examines the long-term mechanisms established to prevent shipping crises or mitigate impact (such as navigation beacons), focusing on the many formal government services which operated out of the township (pilots, lighthouse, lifeboat and customs and hydrographic services). Unofficial risk avoidance and mitigation strategies are also described, such as deliberate beaching or stranding of damaged vessels to prevent sinking. These align with the pre-impact threat aspect of disaster response, anticipating the possibility of such events and setting appropriate mechanisms in place.
New South Wales has an estimated 3000 historic shipwrecks, over 300 historic maritime infrastruct... more New South Wales has an estimated 3000 historic shipwrecks, over 300 historic maritime infrastructure sites, 34 submerged aircraft wrecks and an active Historic Shipwrecks Program administered by Heritage NSW, a Government agency of the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet. Initiated in 1988, the NSW Wreckspotters Program was aimed at involving communities with the recording and management of maritime archaeological sites, both underwater and on land. Today, the re-launched program continues to grow with the support of local community members who share a passion for maritime cultural heritage and aspire to learn more about these rare and fragile archaeological sites, as part of Heritage NSW’s Maritime Heritage Program.
Heritage NSW is inviting people with a recognized interest in the study and preservation of historic shipwrecks to join its Wreckspotters Program. The program aims to establish a body of trained local maritime archaeology enthusiasts to provide first-hand advice on the condition of known maritime archaeological sites and report new local discoveries. Wreckspotters will be chosen based on their local knowledge, enthusiasm and geographical spread.
The Australian Historic Shipwreck Preservation Project has been awarded a large ARC (Australian R... more The Australian Historic Shipwreck Preservation Project has been awarded a large ARC (Australian Research Council) Linkage grant (LP110200184) to investigate the excavation, reburial and in-situ preservation of wrecks and their associated artefacts, which are considered to be at risk.
This project will focus on Clarence (1850), a historically significant colonial wooden trading vessel located in Victorian internal waters near St Leonards in Port Phillip. The overarching theoretical focus will be on shipwreck site formation models and the project brings together the disciplines of behavioural archaeology, maritime archaeology, conservation sciences and maritime object conservation.
The 2014 remote sensing survey of Norfolk Island (NI) focused on detection and investigation of a... more The 2014 remote sensing survey of Norfolk Island (NI) focused on detection and investigation of a selection of archaeological sites identified through historical sources to proposed by the local NI community. The NI Museum staff, volunteers and other interested community members worked closely with the University of Sydney project team on the remote sensing (ground penetrating radar, magnetometer and resistance meter), archaeological survey and associated oral historical recording programs, with relevant training in techniques provided as required. Despite adverse weather conditions a number of subsurface anomalies indicative of First and Second Settlement structures and land uses were detected suggesting high archaeological potential for surviving subsurface remains (structures and artefacts). Documentary and oral research was undertaken to identify or correlate these historical structures or features, especially within the KAVHA area. Several burial grounds on the island were tested at the request of the community: the survey for the Emily's Grave (Emily Bay) site produced results indicative of possible subsurface grave features, although survey over the reported burial site above Cascade and the known cemetery at the former Melanesian Mission produced no results. Re-survey of the latter site with greater preparation of the ground surface and a different survey strategy would be of value.
Regional archaeological survey and historical investigation of the Maritime Landscape of the Geel... more Regional archaeological survey and historical investigation of the Maritime Landscape of the Geelong Foreshore Region. Report submitted to Heritage Victoria.
A pilot project was initiated by Heritage Victoria in 2003 to identify maritime infrastructure si... more A pilot project was initiated by Heritage Victoria in 2003 to identify maritime infrastructure sites of heritage significance along the Victorian coastline. The project was initiated after the loss of or disturbance to several maritime heritage sites within recent years. The heritage significance of these types of sites had not previously been systematically investigated.
The project aimed to collate an inventory of Victorian Historic Maritime Infrastructure sites to allow the location, identification, management, utilisation and interpretation of these sites and features, including: piers, jetties, wharves, anchorages, navigational aids and structures, shipbuilding facilities, bathing and recreational amenities, and other maritime related services. Short histories and/ or site inspections were undertaken of those places identified as of potential cultural significance under the terms of the Victorian Heritage Act 1995.
The study identified 254 new maritime heritage sites, ranging from cargo transferral structures such as piers, jetties and wharves; recreational and bathing facilities; shipbuilding amenities; navigational and harbour infrastructure; defence networks; and land reclamation areas. Inspections revealed many maritime infrastructure sites demonstrate archaeological signatures, most of which were evident in the intertidal/ littoral/ shallow water zones, or have been buried by land reclamation projects.
Historical Investigation of the Crown Reserve District, Geelong. An analysis of the archaeologic... more Historical Investigation of the Crown Reserve District, Geelong. An analysis of the archaeological potential of the area using GIS Geo-referencing, historical research and archaeological site investigation.
Nooramunga Marine Park has been the site of up to 30 known wrecks during the past 150 years. Of t... more Nooramunga Marine Park has been the site of up to 30 known wrecks during the past 150 years. Of the sites known to be in the area, only a small number have actually been located. The Nooramunga Marine park covers an area starting from Corner Inlet extending to east of the Port Albert township. The area is of great historical significance and includes one of Victoria's oldest shipwrecks, along with Victoria's second oldest coastal town. In April 1995, members of the Maritime Heritage Unit and Conservation Unit of Heritage Victoria carried out preliminary fieldwork as a base for continuing investigations in the area. This report describes the results of the fieldwork and makes recommendations regarding future work required in the. area.
A case for declaration of the Victorian Ships Graveyard Area, off Port Phillip Heads Victoria. Re... more A case for declaration of the Victorian Ships Graveyard Area, off Port Phillip Heads Victoria. Report to Heritage Victoria
Summary Sheets of the HMAS Australia Wreck (1924) Inspection - Published by Heritage Branch NSW
Coastal communities have been widely explored by various archaeological researchers, all of whom ... more Coastal communities have been widely explored by various archaeological researchers, all of whom have applied and developed their own approaches to interpreting landscapes. Despite the diversity of maritime cultural studies worldwide, terrestrial and marine areas are still frequently studied in isolation, and the field has yet to develop a uniformly accepted theoretical paradigm to guide research. This thesis explores a new approach that amalgamates key theoretical and methodological aspects of other disparate cultural landscape studies to provide a new way to examine spatial social organisation in maritime communities.
The community of Queenscliff (Victoria) is used to explore the problem of how to understand the archaeology of non-indigenous communities living and working across the land/sea divide. It is argued that maritime communities do not necessarily perceive a discontinuity between marine and terrestrial areas, even though each region may be differentially experienced and participated in. Consequently, to fully understand how a maritime community operates, it is necessary to investigate the complex relationships that exist between mariners and terrestrial-oriented community members, and in particular how each group occupies and utilizes the water and land. To this end, a cultural landscape approach will be developed which allows us to overcome the traditional disciplinary and environmental boundaries of historical and maritime archaeology.
The dissertation investigates a variety of methods for collecting and integrating the disparate documentary, oral and archaeological data sets available to the researcher of the Australian colonial period. In particular it seeks a broader understanding of the archaeological expressions of maritime activity in this community, situated both above and below the waterline. The adoption of a thematic approach to distinguish between maritime industries recognised the disparities/similarities in the way various groups experience and create landscape. Observations of social and practical behaviour were linked to relict material cultural remains through the innovative use of GIS technology that facilitated thematic comparative analysis of multiple incongruent data sets. The subsequent ethno-archaeological observations that linked maritime culture with archaeological sites have great utility in other analogous nautical cultures.
The methodological application of the amalgamated theoretical paradigm using a thematic approach proved successful in the case study area and several key outcomes are addressed. Maritime cultural landscapes are only be accessible by accessing disparate data sources, which varied widely in both their type and availability between maritime themes. Alternative data sets provide significant insights into maritime culture that may not be accessible in traditional documentary sources, and GIS data representation proved to be essential for management and interpretation of the ethno-archaeological interrelationships between thematic landscapes. The cognitive driving mechanisms of several common types of maritime thematic landscapes in Colonial Australia are now better understood, as are their potential data sources and archaeological characterizations. These observations have great utility in other contemporary areas where one or more of the data sets might be missing or incomplete. The successful utility of this approach is dependent upon undertaking manageable levels of thematic investigation, and their subsequent comparative examination. Final analysis of the implications and effectiveness of this new amalgamated methodological approach and theoretical paradigm is used to provide recommendations for future directions in cultural landscape research. The thesis has developed and demonstrated a new methodology that enables wider analysis of behavioural and social aspects of maritime heritage sites within a broad regional framework, has demonstrated the range of themes available for investigation, and outlined new ways of accessing cultural meanings imbued in landscape, to provide better understandings of maritime communities..
This cultural landscape approach may provide a new way of assessing regional studies for maritime... more This cultural landscape approach may provide a new way of assessing regional studies for maritime archaeology. The consideration of physical and cognitive aspects of sea usage can identify and analyse key characteristics of seascape construction, which is then applied to detect this structuring in the Gippsland region of Victoria. The role played by risk management in seascape structuring is further investigated, and the implications for the future direction of maritime archaeological research and heritage management are discussed.
A survey of a ship-breakers yard on Corio Bay, Geelong (Victoria, Australia). This survey is par... more A survey of a ship-breakers yard on Corio Bay, Geelong (Victoria, Australia). This survey is part of a wider project to analyse the archaeological signatures of ship-breaking sites in Australia. The article briefly documents the layout of the industrial site, one of three possible sites in the area. Article appeared in Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology Newsletter December 2008
A survey of a ship-breakers yard on Corio Bay, Geelong (Victoria, Australia). This survey is par... more A survey of a ship-breakers yard on Corio Bay, Geelong (Victoria, Australia). This survey is part of a wider project to analyse the archaeological signatures of ship-breaking sites in Australia. The article briefly documents the layout of the industrial site, one of three possible sites in the area. ( Article appeared in Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology newsletter (December 2008 - 27(4))
History of the steamer wharf at Tathra, Southern NSW
Recent work documenting riverine landscapes in Tweed River, NSW.
Presentation of the Maritime Heritage of Sydney Harbour
Outlines results of a remote sensing survey of the HMAS Australia (1) shipwreck project undertake... more Outlines results of a remote sensing survey of the HMAS Australia (1) shipwreck project undertaken on our behalf by Australian Marine National Facility CSIRO vessel Southern Surveyor in 2013. http://csirofrvblog.com/2013/10/14/
At the request of the NSW Heritage Branch, the CSIRO Australian Marine National Facility vessel ... more At the request of the NSW Heritage Branch, the CSIRO Australian Marine National Facility vessel Southern Surveyor undertook a multibeam survey of the wreck of the Limerick. This vessel was sunk by Japanese submarine in WWII, and this is the first comprehensive remote sensing survey of the wreck which was found by local fishermen and reported in early 2013. http://csirofrvblog.com/2013/02/05/
Glossary of Australian maritime infrastructure site types (still under development).
The twin-screw steamer (TSS) Wandra was constructed by D. Sullivan at Coopernook near Taree in 19... more The twin-screw steamer (TSS) Wandra was constructed by D. Sullivan at Coopernook near Taree in 1907. On 15 December 1915 the Wandra was heading from Moruya to Sydney with a cargo of timber when the vessel got into difficulty in heavy seas. The ship started to take water and began to break apart. Under difficult conditions Captain Reubin Lucey managed to steer the stricken vessel into the relative safety of the Drum and Drumsticks (a large rock formation off Jervis Bay) where the anchor was dropped. The lifeboats were lowered and all 12 crew made it safely to shore. Today the wreck of the Wandra is protected as an historic shipwreck under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 which is administered by the NSW Heritage Division (Office of Environment and Heritage). The remains of the vessel lie in 26 metres of water and is considered to be one of best dives in the Jervis Bay area. Twin propellers and shafts of the TSS Wandra (Images courtesy of Lyn Cleary)
The tragic sinking of HMAS Voyager (II) after a collision with the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourn... more The tragic sinking of HMAS Voyager (II) after a collision with the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne (II) off Jervis Bay in 1964 remains Australia's worst peacetime naval disaster. The controversial incident saw Voyager cut in two, with the loss of 82 lives, and 232 survivors rescued from the sea. The final resting place of the Voyager (II) has yet to be found, but it is considered one of NSW most significant wrecks. On the 50th anniversary of the sinking a commemoration service was held close to the last known location of the wreck at sea.
The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage in collaboration with the Marine National Facility have been actively searching for the wreck. Once located, the site will be nominated as a Historic Shipwreck for its social values under the NSW Heritage Act 1977. More significantly, the wreckage sites will form a focal point for relatives and friends to grieve and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of those onboard. This incident highlights that the social significance of a wreck is often as important as its archaeological remains.
The Indefatigable Class battlecruiser HMAS Australia was the first flagship of the Royal Australi... more The Indefatigable Class battlecruiser HMAS Australia was the first flagship of the Royal Australian Navy, and played a significant role
in removing the German threat from the Pacific during WWI. On 12 April 1924, as part of post-war international naval arms reduction,
the 179m long vessel was scuttled with naval honours approximately 50km east of Sydney, and came to rest in 400m of water.
The wreck was accidentally discovered by Fugro Australia Pty Ltd during a telecommunications survey in 1990.
The Heritage Division (Office of Environment and Heritage) is leading archaeological investigations of the wreck. With the assistance
of the Royal Australian Navy, Defence Maritime Services and Australia’s Marine National Facility, surveys of the wreck have been
undertaken using ROV (2007) and multi-beam (2013) technology to document the extent and nature of this highly significant site.
Hidden in the dark waters of the Wingecarribbee River lie remains of watercraft built by German i... more Hidden in the dark waters of the Wingecarribbee River lie remains of watercraft built by German internees during the First World War. The camp was home to German mariners interned from merchant vessels and some POW's from the raider SMS Emden. During their stay at Berrima Gaol they built a fleet of fanciful watercraft used in colourful regattas and several were sunk in the river by War's end. One canoe was discovered in the 1970s and is now on display at the Berrima Historical Society. The Heritage Branch, Office of Environment and Heritage is leading archaeological surveys to locate the remains of these unique watercraft. The Berrima Camp site is listed on the State Heritage Register under the NSW Heritage Act 1977.
Overview of the NSW Maritime Heritage and Shipwrecks Program