Much More Than Stones And Bones: Australian Archaeology in the Late Twentieth Century

(Paperback)

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There is much more to stones and bones than most people think. In this book, Hilary du Cros shows archaeologists at work in surprising and interesting ways, such as engaging in national politics to save ancient caves from being flooded by the proposed Franklin Dam in Tasmania, negotiating with developers and planners over the preservation of the site of First Government House in Sydney's central business district and investigating relics of Melbourne's nineteenth-century brothels in Little Lonsdale Street. The case studies raise important ethical issues such as conservation versus commercialism, science versus indigenous self-determination, and popular access versus technical elitism. Hilary du Cros draws on a range of sources - including mass media reports, film and radio documentaries, and the observations of participants - to provide insights into how we view our past, how information about the past is used, and how archaeology has contributed to an Australian cultural identity.

Author Bio

Hilary du Cros is a cultural heritage analyst and she is currently assisting UNESCO as one of its cultural heritage experts advising on projects in the Asia region. Her previous publications include Cultural Tourism: The Partnership between Tourism and Cultural Heritage Management with Bob McKercher, and Women in Archaeology: A Feminist Critique with Laura Jane Smith.