Aboriginal cultural heritage

While the use of high-precision, three-dimensional (3D) scanning devices is the most accurate method for recording 3D objects and landscapes, the present prices for either purchasing or renting equipment are prohibitive. Fortunately, there are other options available to develop 3D models, where the only costs involve not much more than a digital camera (or even a mobile phone or tablet device with an attached camera) and the availability of an internet connection. This paper highlights the advantages of using photogrammetry as a tool to record different types of tangible Aboriginal cultural heritage, and showcases some of the projects involving the creation of 3D models by the Heritage Programs teams at Aboriginal Victoria during the past three years. Given the relative success in the application of this method, and its potential for protecting and managing cultural heritage, photogrammetry is now being included in Capacity Building Training Modules specifically developed for Registered Aboriginal Parties and Traditional Owners in Victoria.

A key driving force behind the success of the Victorian Archaeology Colloquium is the participation and direction of Traditional Owners in the cultural heritage, landscapes, and concepts that are presented and discussed each year. Traditional Owner involvement commenced during planning for the very first Colloquium, ten years ago, and has continued to grow since. This trend is evident in the increasing number of Traditional Owners attending the Colloquium each year; growing diversity of First Nations represented; and increasing number of Traditional Owners leading and co-authoring presentations and subsequent publications in the Colloquium proceedings, ‘Excavations, Surveys and Heritage Management in Victoria’. This paper presents the full transcript of a panel discussion by four Traditional Owners from Wurundjeri Woi wurrung, Wotjobaluk, Dja Dja Wurrung and Wadawurrung Country in Victoria on 1 February 2021, the second panel discussion of the 10th Anniversary Victorian Archaeology Colloquium. The panel discussion was recorded as a Zoom Webinar and transcribed using Otter (2021). Darren Griffin and Caroline Spry edited the transcript of the second panel discussion. Traditional Owner panellists considered their experiences in archaeological research, investigations and cultural heritage management projects, and the successes and constraints encountered over the last decade. Drawing on these experiences the panellists present their vision of the future for best practice archaeology and land management in Victoria. Their conversation highlights that First Peoples cultural heritage is complex, dynamic and continuing, and what western scientific paradigms class as archaeology (or experimental archaeology) is for Traditional Owners a way of continuing their traditional practices and passing knowledge onto future generations.

Scott Mitchell presented ‘A State of Belonging? Museums, Archaeology Collections and Heritage Legislation’ at the Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc (New South Wales Chapter) Archaeological Event held in June 2014 at the Big Dig Centre in Sydney. A dynamic discussion from AACAI members, consultant archaeologists, museum professionals and students followed this presentation. Here we aim to continue and promote the conversation about how we should retain the archaeological cultural resource for future generations. In this paper Scott introduces the ‘curation crisis’ facing the Australian Museum, followed by comments from professional archaeologists and heritage practitioners outlining some of the key issues expressed during the discussion at the event. It concludes with Scott’s reply to the comments.