Research

Our Archaeological Science Group specialises in the development of novel approaches to archaeological science questions. We are eager to collaborate on projects. Interested in collaborating or studying with us? Please get in contact!
Pigment Analysis and Provenience
Ochre (iron-based natural mineral pigments) are common worldwide and are significant in cultural traditions in the past and through to the present day. These enduring pigments applied to objects or rock art reflect the natural variation of the original source composition in terms of mineral and elemental distribution and environmental factors. Our group and collaborators have demonstrated that elemental and genomic analysis of ochre pigments can be used to determine the provenience of a material back to its geological source as well as understand its cultural technology and origins. Our lab analyses several aspects of the pigments including the natural minerals, extenders and binders. Therefore, these analyses can enable understanding of cultural exchange, cultural heritage technologies and offer useful information for future conservation studies.
Cultural Heritage Analysis
Complex samples from natural and human-made processes offer a diversity of complicated and fascinating examples where characterisation by multiple advanced analytical methods offers additional insight. These cultural materials begin as geological or biological materials, that are then transformed into complex cultural expression such as pigments, ceramics, and rock art. The use of radioanalytical, spectroscopic and X-ray methods provide data which is often not influenced by matrix effects and can be non-destructive to the sample. These characteristics make these methods appealing for cultural heritage questions and objects. Radioanalytical methods such as neutron activation analysis (NAA), in combination with advanced spectroscopy methods such as X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM), and various forms of spectroscopy provide insight to these complex layered technologies in cultural heritage.
Current Major Projects
2019-2024 Ochre archaeomicrobiology: a new tool for understanding Aboriginal exchange. ARC DP190102219 ($479k) Prof Rachel Popelka-Filcoff; Prof Claire Lenehan; Prof Claire Smith; A/Prof Amy Roberts; Prof Robert Edwards; Asst Prof Shanan Tobe
2020-2026 Before Cook: Contact, Negotiation and the Archaeology of the Tiwi Islands. ARC DP200100559 ($696k) Dr Daryl Wesley; Associate Professor Wendy Van Duivenvoorde; Emeritus Professor Michael Smith; Dr Fanny Veys; Dr Mirani Litster; Professor Peter Monteath; Associate Professor Rachel Popelka-Filcoff; Ms Kellie Pollard; Dr Widya Nayati
2022-2027 From the Desert to the Sea: Managing Rock Art, Country and Culture. ARC LP200300886 ($1.035M) Prof Jo McDonald, Prof Peter Veth, Prof Stephen van Leeuwen, Prof Rachel Popelka-Filcoff, Dr Pauline Grierson, Prof Richard Fullagar, Dr Judith Field, Dr Emilie Dotte-Sarout, Mr Peter Jeffries, A/Prof Douglas Bird, Asst Prof Stefani Crabtree, Ms Sharon Reynolds, Ms Jessica Chapman, Ms Anneliese Carson, Dr Jade Pervan
2022-2026 Reuniting cargoes: Underwater Cultural Heritage of the Maritime Silk Route. ARC LP210200165($625k) Dr Martin Polkinghorne; Associate Professor Wendy Van Duivenvoorde; Dr Natali Pearson; Professor Craig Forrest; Dr Widya Nayati; Dr Noel Tan; Professor Rachel Popelka-Filcoff; Dr Pakpadee Yukongdi; Ms Yuni Sato; Dr Tom Chandler; Associate Professor Mark Staniforth