ABACUS Magazine (July 2015) by ABACUS ANU

ABACUS MAGAZINE THE ANU ARCHAEOLOGY & ANTHROPOLOGY STUDENT-RUN BIANNUAL WINTER 2015. VOL 2. ISSUE 1

INSIDE SPRINGBANK 2015 WHAT IS MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY?

ABACUS + FLINDERS Discover the newest collaboration

CONTENTS Note From the Editor………………………………….………………… 3 Flinders & ABACUS……………………………….………………………. 4 The Inside Scoop………………………………………………………….. 6 Course Spotlight…………………………………………………………… 7 Sleep Cultures (Med. Anth. Student Showcase)……….…. 8 Student Profile……………………………………………………..…….. 10 ABACUS Steps Into the 21st Century………………….……….. 11 Fieldwork (Arch)………………………………………………….. 12 NASC 2015…………………………………………………………... 14 Philippines Field school 2016…………………………………. 15 Making the Most of Archaeology at ANU……………… 16 Book Club…………………………………………………………….. 18 Volunteer Opportunity…………………………………………. 19 Unearth All 2015………………………………………………….. 23 Parting Notes……………………………………………………….. 25

COVER PHOTO : Springbank Island, Canberra (2015) Source: Simon Tener

Note from the Editor I’d like to begin by saying how honoured I am to have had the opportunity to be a part of this publication and the ANU Archaeology, Biological Anthropology and Cultural Heritage Society (ABACUS) this year. ABACUS has been continuing to grow since its change, in 2014, from the ANU’s Archaeological Society to a wider society including a wider variety of disciplines including, but not limited to, Anthropology and Biological Anthropology. This winter issue will cover many of the events and student engagement opportunities that have arisen both at the ANU, in the surrounding Canberra region and interstate through an exciting new collaboration with the Flinders University Archaeology Society. ABACUS and the Canberra Heritage Society successfully ran excavations and Heritage Day activities at Canberra’s historical Springbank island.

A big thanks goes out to the organisational efforts of Duncan Wright and the Canberra Archaeology Society in addition to the volunteer work of the ABACUS members who gave their time to the project. This Winter issue will also be the first issue to cover topics Anthropology and Biological Anthropology, in addition to Archaeology at the ANU. This new dimension will hopefully open the doors for increased student engagement within the College of Arts and Social Sciences. By keeping all our readers aware of what is happening within their field of interest both on and off campus we hope to continue to fuel their passion and studies.

Indonesia Anthropology Fieldschool (2014), Photo Source: Cynthia Parayiwa

Sincerely, Cynthia Parayiwa Editor, ABACUS Magazine (abacusanu@gmail.com)

FLINDERS &

ABACUS In July 2015, a collaboration between the Flinders University Archaeology Society and ANU ABACUS was born. The collaboration has opened the doors for an inter-institutional sharing of Archaeology related topics of interest between the two universities. This will be mainly through content sharing between ABACUS Magazine and the Flinders’ student journal, Dig It!. To kick off the collaboration, an overview of what the journal has been provided directly from the Dig It! Team. Links have also been provided for interested students from the ANU to send through contributions, so read on!

“Dig It is the studentrun, peer-reviewed journal of the Flinders Archaeological Society. Its purpose is to provide students – including undergraduates, postgraduates and recent graduates – with the opportunity to practice and familiarise themselves with the processes involved in academic publications, including writing, publishing, editing and reviewing. In addition, it aims to keep future and junior archaeologists connected and informed about what is happening in the archaeological community.” 4

Dig It considers a range of contributions for publication, including research articles, essays, personal accounts/ opinion pieces, book reviews and thesis abstracts. We welcome contributions from local, interstate and international undergraduates, postgraduates and recent graduates. All contributions are reviewed by the editors and a panel of reviewers; however original research articles and research essays undergo an additional anonymous peer-review process involving external experts. Referees can be of any academic status; however young academics are preferred in agreement with the mission statement of Dig It, to provide the opportunity for professional training to students.

To submit a proposal or get in contact with the Dig It team, please Contact them via dig.it@flindersarchsoc.org For more information, visit http://flindersarchsoc.org/digit/ 5

The inside

Scoop As of early 2015 a new student space was opened in the AD Hope Building (Building #14). Located on the Lower Ground (LG) floor, the space, commonly known as the Fishbowl (due to it’s distinctive large windowed walls?) is open to all and offers a welcoming space for brainstorming, brainbreaks and more. So make use of the area in Semester II to :

TAKE A

STUDY

STUDY BREAK (BYO COMPUTER AND EXTRA LARGE BOOKS …CHAIRS/ DESKS/COUCH PROVIDED.

LEND/BORROW

DISCUSS ISSUES/EVENTS WITH ABACUS EXEC’S

TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCE MATERIAL

JOIN IN GROUP STUDY SESSIONS (KEEP AN EYE ON FACEBOOK GROUP FOR DETAILS)

EAT, SLEEP, ETC. (SNACKS USUALLY 6 AVAILABLE)

COURSE SPOTLIGHT Medical Anthropology (ANTH2026/6026) The course provides an introduction to the field of medical anthropology. It includes the application of different forms of social and cultural analysis to the study of health, illness, and healing. Examples of medical systems and medical practices are drawn from a range of cultures. In the first part of the course the scope of medical anthropology will be covered and different approaches to the understanding of the body discussed, including the social and cultural construction of illness and illness categories, healers and their roles, the foundations of efficacy in

healing, and the place of individual and social agency in health and illness. In the second half of the course health and human rights, pharmaceuticals and ethics of medical research and organ trafficking will be the centre of the discussion. For more course details visit the ANU Programs and Courses Site <http://programsandcourses.anu.e du.au/2015/course/ANTH2026> (ANU Programs & Courses, 2015)

Student work over the semester is showcased at an Health Awareness campaign held in Union court. This years topics included Social Media Addiction, Handling Stress, Volatile Substance Use, Dealing with Anxiety and Depression, Volunteering in Palliative Care, Domestic Violence and Sleep Cultures. The campaign on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sleep Culturesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was showcased within this issue but you can view the 2014 student Med. Anth. projects on topics ranging from infectious diseases to body image at: <http://medanth14.wix.com/medicalanthropology> . A big thank you to Dr Trang Ta for helping in putting this article together and her continuous enthusiasm for student showcasing. 7

SLEEP CULTURES The socially, culturally and historically appropriate and inappropriate ways of ‘doing’ sleep, that is, the normative conventions or social etiquette of sleep, vary among different cultures – defined or otherwise. Sleep exhibits socio-cultural plasticity and is able to transcend the dynamics of social organisation, patterning and scheduling of every day (and night) life. These dynamics are grounded in the following elements:

Follow the link to view the group’ s video <https://vimeo.com/129 061049> (or follow the QR code) and have a peak at their infographic poster on the next page!

What we make of sleep With whom we sleep When we sleep Where we sleep Ulysses Cabayao, Jessica Durrant-Whyte, Meagan Botnick (Health Awareness Campaign, ANTH2026/6026, 2015)

Poster by Ulysses Cabayao, Jessica Durrant-Whyte, Meagan Botnick

Student Profile |Hannah James| |PhD Candidate, Research School of Earth Sciences| SO WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU STUDYING?

The master’s program led me to Scientific Dating and Isotope analysis for Archaeology and I am currently doing a PhD at the Palaeoanthropology, which in turn led Research School of Earth Sciences me to the exciting field of isotopic (RSES), looking at oxygen and analysis and my PhD. strontium isotopes in archaeological teeth and mapping environmental strontium values in New Caledonia WE FEATURE A BIT OF YOUR and Corsica. BLOGGING IN THIS ISSUE OF ABACUS MAGAZINE, CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT THAT?

WHAT DROVE YOU TO SUCH STUDIES?

My blog post is an introduction to my research which hopefully shows that My academic journey to this research combining archaeology with scientific has taken 9 years and has been heavily research is not that hard and provides influenced by courses I have enjoyed. interesting results! CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH HOW THAT CAME ABOUT? I started as a Medical Science student, who got bored and did Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology, which led to me adding on Biological Anthropology. I went on the Philippines Field School at the end of my undergrad and realised Archaeology is amazing, so signed up for the Master of Archaeological Science program.

IS THERE MORE TO THE BLOG OR ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?

The blog itself is run by a group of PhD students from RSES. The motivation behind this blog is to demonstrate that wearing socks and sandals is not representative of today’s earth scientist and to show the fascinating range of subjects that come under the umbrella of Earth Sciences.

Drop by Hannah’s latest blog entry at : http://oncirculation.com/2015/05/05/thetooth-the-whole-tooth-and-nothing-but-thetooth/ and if you crave more, have a look at other research and musings within the Earth Sciences at http://oncirculation.com/

Fieldwork Firstly I would like to thank all involved in the Springbank Archaeological Project, especially to the Canberra Archaeological Society and Dr. Duncan Wright for providing the opportunity of a local fieldschool to archaeology students of the Australian National University. The Field School consisted of two weeks of excavations on Springbank Island, an artificial island on Lake Burley Griffin. The site was chosen due its position as high ground in the Molonglo flood plains before the lake was built. The area around was known as the Springbank property during the Early European period and the first homestead in Canberra was built on the high ground due to frequent floods. The site was also proposed to have indigenous significance as the area is said to have been an important meeting place for indigenous groups before and during early European contact. As such the aims of the fieldschool were to look for presence of both early European material and Indigenous material.

Excavators included archaeology students and lecturers from the Australian National University and members of the Canberra Archaeological Society. The experience allowed students to work along side esteemed Australian archaeologists. 12 Photo source: Simon Tener

Fieldwork Excavations uncovered modern, early European and Indigenous material. The site of the homestead itself was not found but various early European ceramics and nails among other early European materials are most likely from the occupation of the homestead. The indigenous material including flakes and cores of various origins were mostly found in disturbed layers which makes it difficult to pinpoint their origin. As Springbank Island was artificially filled with soil from deposits excavated from other areas of the lake it is likely that that the lithics were transported to Springbank Island along with the infill. Even with the ambiguity, the amount of lithics highlights the significance and use

of the Molonglo floodplains by indigenous groups. Other modern materials also highlight the processes of the construction of Lake Burley Griffin. An intact jar was uncovered at the bottom of the disturbed layers which may have been transported there by a construction worker on the site. Such finds though not as historically significant do highlight more intimate stories about the people who lived and shaped the story of Canberra. Melandri Vlok (President, ABACUS ANU)

Image source: http://www.creators.com/comics/6/75193_thumb.gif

You can now keep up with the latest news and events through ABACUS on the go. Just follow/like/join us on:

Instagram (@a.b.a.c.u.s)

Facebook (A.B.A.C.U.S ANU)

Twitter (@A.B.A.C.U.S) 14

Grab your tickets NOW and cure that weird Fear Of Missing Out youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been experiencing! Join other passionate Archaeology students from around Australia and hear about the latest student targeted events currently happening within your discipline.

Registrations Close: 7th July 2015

For more information head to : http://www.nascaustralia.com/ For registrations visit : http://www.nascaustralia.com/registration/ 15

Philippines Archaeology Field School (Summer 2016) If all this talk of field schools and out of the box study has you in a tangle of Wonderlust and a thirst for knowledge there is still hope with a number of field opportunities on offer through the School of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Photos source: Melandri Vlok & Andrea Cosalan

Moreâ&#x20AC;Ś The Philippines Field School is a great opportunity to gain archaeological experience on an international field. Ran by Marc Oxenham the summer session can provide 6 units within the Bachelor of Arts and Archaeological Practice degrees. An option for a site report counting a further 6 units is also available after the field school. The 2016 season will begin in January and an information session will be presented soon. Some of the benefits include: - working along side leading experts in South East Asia from both the Australian National University and the University of the Philippines - Be taught a high standard of excavation techniques - Archaeology of human remains experience that is not available on Australian digs - Opportunity to work on a mortuary site which is not available for Australian digs - experiencing the culture of the people of Philippines and learn from others from different historical and social backgrounds - meet many new people in both social and academic contexts which are beneficial for a career in archaeology - Go to many historical and archaeological places within the Philippines

Photos source: Melandri Vlok & Andrea Cosalan

There may also be an opportunity to attend a bio archaeological conference before the summer school commences. If you have any questions about the Philippines experience feel free to chat with Melandri Vlok (ABACUS President) or email ABACUS at abacusanu@gmail.com 17

Striking “Story”: Making The Most Of Archaeology At ANU

This rather wonderful quote by one of our founding fathers (Sir Mortimer Wheeler. 1954) provides us with two very important lessons. Archaeology involves objects, sites and landscapes however it is our responsibility to move beyond the “thing” to see people (and stories). We are scientists and storytellers, protecting cultural heritage while at the same time trying to bring stories back to life. Do you agree with this? If so, try this one on for size.

“In a simple direct sense, archaeology is a science that must be lived, must be seasoned with humanity. Dead archaeology is the driest dust that blows.” Sir Mortimer Wheeler 1954

Wheelers second lesson (based on my reading of this quote) is that to learn about archaeology we must also live it. In Australia, we are lucky that there are many opportunities to do so (archaeology seminars/ societies, volunteering etc.). Not all sites have been excavated or surveyed. Some of the biggest archaeological questions (including the age of first arrival on this continent) remain unanswered. At any time any one of us has the opportunity to dig through a layer of soil and strike “story”!

Marni Booth (ABACUS Exec.) sieves soil on Springbank during organised excavations. Photo Source: Simon Tener. (2015)

Striking “Story”: Making The Most Of Archaeology At ANU

Each opportunity taken (and this includes your ANU degree) is likely to open new doors. The more times you say “yes”, the more direction you will get and the more experience will show up on your CV. The Springbank field school represents an example of the importance of engagement. From project inception students took an organisation role in this. Initially I was helped by Iain Johnston and Lucy Blackam, but in no time at all the bemused clientele of “Gods” had to put up with organisation committee meetings that took over half the café! It is not for me to say how much you got out of the field school, the public open day and the artefact sorting workshops that followed. I will hazard a guess that it was worth sacrificing the time and effort. Since this excavation finished I am proud to see students saying “yes” to opportunities. Some of you have been offered archaeology contracts with cultural heritage firms or have volunteered to assist local Traditional Custodians. Others are in the process of preparing presentations for the National Student Archaeology Conference in Sydney.

Lucy Blackam takes site measurements on Springbank Island. Photo Source : Simon Tener (2015)

The skills/contacts and ideas that you will gain from each of these opportunities, coupled with the effort you put in to your ANU studies will shape your careers. It will also make the whole process a hell of a lot more fun! Make the most of your time here. Get engaged and who knows before long you will be chasing a story of your own. Dr Duncan Wright 19

Book Club If you are in need of an interesting read to tuck into over the mid-semester break why not sink your teeth into the collaborative publication of ANU’s Dr Alison Behie & Dr Marc Oxenham with contributions from Dr Robert Attenborough and many others. Synopsis: “This volume explores the complexity, diversity and interwoven nature of taxonomic pursuits within the context of explorations of humans and related species. It also pays tribute to Professor Colin Groves, whose work has had an enormous impact on this field. Recent research into that somewhat unique species we call humankind, through the theoretical and conceptual approaches afforded by the discipline of biological anthropology, is showcased. The focus is on the evolution of the human species, the behaviour of primates and other species, and how humans affect the distribution and abundance of other species through anthropogenic impact. Weaving together these three key themes, through the considerable influence of Colin Groves, provides glimpses of how changes in taxonomic theory and methodology, including our fluctuating understanding of speciation, have recrafted the way in which we view animal behaviour, human evolution and conservation studies.” Source: ANU Press (26/05/2015) The book is available in pdf/epub/mobi and online formats from : http://press.anu.edu.au/titles/taxonomic-tapestries/

Volunteer Opportunity (Boost that CV!) Nothing brightens a CV quite like a bit of volunteer work and hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great opportunity open to anyone willing. The Canberra Archaeological Society is seeking helpers for their 2015 Heritage Symposium

Saturday 18 July 2015 8a â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5p Please take a moment during your break to give a hand and also gain experience in heritage planning within the Canberra region. See attached registration details. For more information visit : http://symposium.cas.asn.au/2015.html To volunteer, contact Lucy Blackman: Via email : lucy.blackam@live.com Mobile : 0401787293 21

ACT and Region Annual Australian Heritage Partnership Symposium 2015

SHARING HERITAGE: CREATE, CHANGE, CHERISH Hosted by: Canberra Archaeological Society, National Trust of Australia (ACT), Canberra and District Historical Society, and Australia ICOMOS Date:

Saturday 18 July 2015 8.45 am – 5.00 pm

Venue:

Sir Roland Wilson Building Theatre Building 120 McCoy Circuit Australian National University Acton

Cost:

$70 $50 $30

full members of the host organisations concessions, full-time students and speakers.

Please complete attached Registration Form and return to: Post:

Email:

In person:

National Trust (ACT) PO Box 1144 Civic Square ACT 2608 info@nationaltrustact.org.au

National Trust (ACT) Office (open 9.30am – 3.00pm Monday – Thursday) 1st Floor North Building (above Canberra Museum & Gallery) Cnr London Circuit & Civic Square, Canberra, 2600

Please register as soon as possible to assist with catering.

REGISTRATION FORM Name: __________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________ Contact Phone number: ____________________________________________________ Email Address: ___________________________________________________________ Please advise any special dietary requirements __________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

REGISTRATION:

________ @ $70.00 full registration _______@ $50.00 member of host organisation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; please state which one: ________ @ $30.00 (concessions, full-time students and speakers) Total Tickets ___________$ _______________ Concession/Student Card No: _________________________________

PAYMENT METHOD: 1. Credit Card Visa [ ] Mastercard [ ] Amex [ ] Card no: ___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___| ___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___ Expiry date: ___|___|___|___ Card security number: ___|___|___|___ Name of cardholder: _________________________________________________ Signature: _________________________________________________________ 2. Cheque [ ] Please include with registration form and make payable to National Trust of Australia (ACT). 3. Money Order [ ]

Please include with registration form and make payable to National Trust of Australia (ACT). 4. In Person at the National Trust Office or on the day at the venue. Please register in advance to enable catering.

Are you Ready

Unearth All 2015 Begin to prepare for the intersociety physical and mental challenge of the year. ABACUS ANU is proud to present UNEARTH ALL.

WHEN : SEMESTER 2, WEEK 3 WHERE: ANU CAMPUS AND SURROUNDING SUBURBS

Wait, what is this? An intersociety scavenger/photo hunt with a social media twist. Take a stimulating study break before knuckling down for your end of year assessment binge. Get your teams together now! 26

More Details Coming Soon

Parting Notes: Semester 2 Notices http://31.media.tumblr.com/5237a1c2bce8b5647ae9743d8b2c60b2/tumblr_mga0w7sFUx1s2gcjlo1_500.gif

Member Registration – cost is $5 and gains you exclusive access to Archaeology/Anthr opology related event information and discounts at society events. Fishbowl available for quiet study, cramming sessions, snacks, help, etc. (AD Hope LG07)

 There are still a number of membership cards waiting to be picked up. If anyone is after theirs head down to the Fishbowl 28