Digging Into National Archaeology Week

During National Archaeology Week (NAW), we're spotlighting our work to protect archaeological heritage.

NAW highlights the:

• work of Australian archaeologists
• importance of protecting Australia's unique archaeological heritage.

This heritage is a record of human activity in Australia. Spanning more than 60,000 years, it is unique and irreplaceable. From Indigenous rock art to colonial sites and historic shipwrecks, it tells us a story about:

• First Nations cultures
• European settlement
• maritime history.

These insights help shape our national identity. They're why it's so important to protect our heritage for future generations. We help do this through our work to manage and support:

• protection of places of cultural significance to First Nations people
• nominations, listings and management of World, National and Commonwealth heritage places
• research and protection of shipwrecks and other underwater sites.

Here are 2 examples of the many archaeological heritage sites we work to protect:

• The HMS Pandora - wrecked after capturing some of the Bounty mutineers in 1791. The well-preserved naval frigate is located within Pandora Entrance near Moulter Kay in the far north of the Great Barrier Reef. It gives us rich insights into a well-known historical event. The site includes cultural objects collected in the Pacific during the search for mutineers.
• The Australian Convict Sites - a series of 11 sites across Australia. These include Port Arthur Historic Site, the Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area on Norfolk Island, and Fremantle Prison. World Heritage listing protects the evidence on these sites that offers insights into the convict experience.