One of Australia's leading archaeologists is challenging a long held belief regarding the lack of change and long-term continuity in Australian Aboriginal culture, at an annual public lecture in honour of the founder of UQ's Archaeology program Associate Professor Jay Hall.
Jay Hall retired in 2006 after more than 30 years at the University. The annual lecture celebrates Jay's pivotal contribution to the Archaeology program and as a pioneer of archaeology in Queensland, in addition to his dedication both to the discipline in general and in the training of exceptional graduates at UQ.
Current head of UQ's Archaeology program, Professor Marshall Weisler said he was delighted that Professor Peter Hiscock from the Australian National University would be the presenter at this year’s lecture.
"Professor Hiscock’s presentation is bound to create great interest and perhaps even some controversy as his research findings are in direct contrast to the beliefs of many archaeologists, artists, historians, politician and the general public," Professor Weisler said.
For more than a century there has been speculation about what the first human occupants of this continent were like.
Professor Hiscock argues that answers to questions such as, "When did they arrive?", "What did they look like?" and "How did they live?" have for the most part, been remarkably unimaginative.
Frequently images of these ancient people evoked images of Aboriginal people in the 19th century, giving rise to a proposition of Aboriginal society as the epitome of the unchanged 'primitive' society or the longest continuous culture.
Professor Hiscock will argue that such visions reflect the influence of 19th century theories that misinterpreted Darwin's theory of evolution and naively read the archaeological evidence as a record of human progress.
"We now realise that archaeology tells a different story of the human history of Australia and Professor Hiscock will summarise the evidence that reveals a dynamic, adaptive cultural past in this continent," Professor Weisler said.
The lecture, which opens Queensland’s National Archaeology Week program, is being held this Friday May 15 at 4.30pm in the Abel Smith Lecture Theatre at The University of Queensland, St Lucia campus. Interested members of the general public are invited to attend. For more information contact the School of Social Science on 3365 3236.
Media: Professor Hiscock will be available for interviews on Friday 15 May. Please contact Professor Hiscock on 0411 235 703. Prior to Friday, please call Dr Patrick Faulkner or Dr Andy Fairbairn on 3365 3236 for more information.
