ANU researchers from a wide range of disciplines, including archaeology, anthropology, history, geography, genetics, linguistics and palaeo-ecology, have pursued questions about the deep history of Oceania for over 50 years, often with spectacular results. On occasion, the perspectives of these disciplines have been brought together around particular conferences or projects, but there does not appear to have been much explicit thinking around the actual methods of synthesis, whether of results or the framing of research questions.
What would constitute a truly trans-disciplinary approach to deep history? Andrew Shryock and Daniel Lord Smail have lit the path with their 2011 collection of essays, Deep History: the architecture of past and present, but there are presumably both requirements and possibilities that are specific to our regional interests. This seminar sketches the outlines of a research program that might build upon but also extend our traditional strengths.
Chris Ballard is a Pacific historian in CHL, trained as an archaeologist and anthropologist. His research is currently focused on the integration of different disciplinary perspectives on the deep history of Oceania.
This seminar is free and open to the public.
Event Speakers
Associate Professor Chris Ballard
Chris Ballard is a Pacific historian in CHL, trained as an archaeologist and anthropologist. His research is currently focused on the integration of different disciplinary perspectives on the deep history of Oceania.