Aboriginal Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Management

We have a team of fully qualified archaeologists specialising in Aboriginal archaeology and cultural heritage management. The archaeology team incorporates a broad range of experience in all forms of Aboriginal archaeological assessment and management and has a solid understanding of the relevant legislation and its application. Our team has an excellent reputation for undertaking well designed archaeological surveys and assessments and for producing high quality, well researched and informative documentation that addresses the requirements of the government agencies.

The team is very conscious of the importance of integrating archaeology within the broader framework of Aboriginal cultural heritage management and work closely with relevant Aboriginal stakeholders on all projects to produce outcomes that acknowledge and address their requirements and show respect for their cultural values.

Services and Capabilities

The Umwelt archaeology team has proven skills in:

  • providing clear and accurate advice to our clients in relation to scope, requirements and timing of very large to small scale projects;
  • undertaking long-term, multi-faceted projects that include ongoing client liaison, consultation with Aboriginal stakeholders and government agencies;
  • developing and implementing, in consultation with the Aboriginal stakeholders and project proponents, workable Aboriginal Heritage Management Plans that provide for the ongoing conservation of Aboriginal sites/places and landscape values associated with developments, and for areas set aside as offsets for the loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage values from development;
  • undertaking consultation with multiple Aboriginal stakeholder groups/representatives regarding all aspects of cultural heritage including: survey and assessment, oral history recording, cultural associations with particular areas, sites or aspects of the landscape; and appropriate strategies for the management of cultural heritage;
  • assisting Aboriginal community groups and individuals to prepare their own cultural heritage assessments and record aspects of the landscape such as Aboriginal food, medicine and fibre plants, water and stone resources;
  • recording, analysis and interpretation of shell middens, engravings, grinding grooves, rockshelters with deposit, rockshelters with art, contact sites (such as Aboriginal missions and reserves), stone arrangements, massacre sites, scarred and/or carved trees, Bora grounds, cultural/mythological sites as well as artefact scatters in diverse environments (coastal, inland, arid and montane);
  • subsurface testing, manual excavation (including work on open sites, in middens and in rockshelters) and mechanical excavation;
  • stone artefact and shell recording and analysis;
  • archiving and packaging artefacts to Australian Museum standards for repatriation to Aboriginal communities or for deposit with the Australian Museum;
  • site and works monitoring;
  • providing training for Aboriginal people in site and survey recording skills, artefact recognition, recording and analysis;
  • in consultation with the relevant Aboriginal stakeholders providing Cultural Heritage Awareness Training; and
  • preparation of:
    • Aboriginal Archaeological Survey and Assessment reports for small to very large projects;
    • Aboriginal Archaeological Studies for Local Government Areas;
    • Aboriginal Heritage Management Plans;
    • Aboriginal Place Nominations;
    • Voluntary Conservation Agreements;
    • Aboriginal Archaeological Significance Assessment Reports for National Parks and Wildlife Service;
    • Due Diligence Inspection Reports;
    • Peer review of documents (for private clients and government agencies);
    • Section 87 Preliminary Research Permits and Section 90 Consent applications and their requisite Research Design and Methodologies;
    • Surface and Subsurface Salvage Reports;
    • Site Monitoring Reports; and
    • Assessments of Conservation Values.

Our clients include local Councils, government agencies, mining companies, public infrastructure providers, quarries, residential and industrial developers and private individuals. We have provided our services in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

Historical Archaeology and Heritage

Our historical heritage team has broad experience in assessment and management of diverse historical archaeological sites (ranging from small local assessments to the management of more complex urban sites) in addition to built heritage (structures, houses, homesteads, churches, lighthouses and dairies), industrial heritage (kilns, factories, mines) and infrastructure (historical roads and railways), and cultural and social landscapes. We have experience with historical investigation including specialised archival research and oral history interviewing.

Our team also works jointly with a network of sub-consultants on specialised assessments for heritage architecture, maritime heritage and for specialist advice regarding movable heritage when required.

Our historical heritage team is committed to high quality outcomes for the all projects, and we maintain good working relationships with statutory authorities including the Heritage Office, Department of Planning. We work closely with relevant community stakeholders including local Councils, historical societies, land owners and family groups.

Capabilities and Approach

We have particular skills in:

  • undertaking consultation with local stakeholder representatives such as Councils, historical societies and interested members of the public regarding all aspects of historical heritage including; archival research, oral history, social associations with particular areas, sites or aspects of the landscape and appropriate strategies for the management of historical heritage;
  • undertaking detailed historical investigations in order to establish the context of a historical heritage site/item/object and assess its significance through archival research (for example, state, Commonwealth and local archives, parish maps, land titles), consultation, oral history and the review of Commonwealth, state, regional and local heritage databases (for example, Australian Heritage Database, State Heritage Register and Inventory, Section 170 databases held by state government agencies, Local Environmental Plans and planning instruments and Council Heritage Studies) and non statutory databases such as the National Trust;
  • obtaining statutory approvals for archaeology in NSW including preparation of Section 140 and Section 60 Excavation Permit applications for submission to the Heritage Office, Department of Planning;
  • preparation of applications for exception/exemption from the need for a Section 140 / Section 60 Excavation Permit;
  • developing and implementing detailed research designs and methodologies to mitigate and manage the impacts of development activities on historical archaeology and heritage, including surface artefact collections, detailed archival recording to state and local standards and sub-surface investigations;
  • experience in all types of archaeological subsurface investigation including testing programs, large open area excavations and archaeological monitoring of site works. Our team includes members with experience that meets Heritage Office, Department of Planning Excavation Director requirements for archaeological site investigation;
  • reporting the results of historical archaeological and heritage surveys and mitigation programs in a manner consistent with the requirements of the relevant statutory authority;
  • preparing Conservation Management Plans and strategies for historical archaeology and heritage within areas proposed for development or areas in which there will be ongoing or indirect impacts to historical heritage;
  • preparing thematic heritage studies for councils and community history projects; and
  • developing more specialised Heritage Management Plans for clients such as Department of Defence or commercial clients, including conservation strategies (for local and state government).

Our key clients include government agencies, mines, quarries, providers of public infrastructure, industrial and residential developers and private individuals.