Research Program #1 – Technological adaptation and implementation

Southern Cross University (Lismore campus)

Geochemical Provenancing of Material Culture in Arid Landscapes (SCU HDR #1 (PhD) Year 1)

This project investigates the mobility of material culture across arid zone landscapes using advanced, minimally destructive analytical techniques. Focusing on materials such as silcrete, the research will apply pXRF and LA-MC-ICPMS to characterise trace element and isotopic signatures of both geological sources and archaeological artefacts.

In collaboration with Traditional Owner groups, the project will develop appropriate analytical protocols and interpretative frameworks to reconstruct patterns of material movement, exchange, and landscape use. The outcomes will provide new insights into human behaviour and connectivity, while establishing scientifically robust and culturally appropriate methods for provenance analysis in heritage contexts.

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The ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Archaeology in the Resources Sector received Australian Government funding through the Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Research Program.

Contact: archaeologyittc@flinders.edu.au

Acknowledgement of Country

The ARC Training Centre for Archaeology in the Resources Sector acknowledges and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our Centre operates. We acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging and recognise this was always a place of learning, teaching and research, and that Sovereignty was never ceded.