How can we reconstruct past environments from sedimentary archives? Existing lines of evidence on past environmental change in Australia from a range of palaeoecological and archaeological sources point to significant changes in climate, biodiversity, vegetation cover, and fire frequency since the arrival of people into Australia sometime between 50000-40000 yr BP. Debate continues over the degree to which humans overrode otherwise natural environmental change processes and the spatial extent of human modification through time. In reviewing these changes the micropaleontological and geochronological methods and techniques commonly used to reconstruct past environments are introduced and assessed.

Students will experience the in field collection and analysis of a range of palaeo-environmental indicators including pollen, charcoal, seeds, biogenic silica, and stable isotopes. The contribution of these techniques to particular archaeological problems such as detecting the role of human activity in environmental change is also covered. The course is designed to provide students with the skills to engage in palaeoecology, archaeological science, palaeoclimatology, and fire history research. Key components of the course are insights into ongoing research being undertaken in the Department of Archaeology and Natural History at the ANU.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the natural and anthropogenic drivers of past environmental change at a global as well as regional level.
2. Describe and explain the techniques that are used to reconstruct past environmental conditions in Australia and abroad.
3. Analyse and reconstruct past environmental conditions using appropriate field and laboratory techniques.
4. Interpret palaeo-environmental data from a range of sedimentary contexts.
5. Reflect on the natural and human influences that explain past environmental conditions and be able to communicate these in ways appropriate to a range of audiences.

All laboratory and field trip sheets must be submitted in order to achieve a final grade. Assessment will be based on:

• Essay (30%, LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5),
• Fieldtrip report (20%, LO 3, 4, 5)
• Laboratory analysis reports (4 lab reports at 5% each = 20%, LO 2, 3, 4, 5),
• Oral presentation (20%, LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
• Test (10%, LO 1, 2, 4)

65 contact hours including two lectures and one three-hour class per week. There is also a compulsory two day field trip.

96 units towards a degree, including 12 later-year units of BIOL, ENVS, ANTH, ARCH, PREH or PRAN courses; or written approval of the course convenor.

GEOG3029 and SRES3029

• Elias, S. Editor. 2007. Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science. London, Wiley.
• Head, L. (2000)  Cultural Landscapes and Environmental Change London: Arnold; New York: Oxford University Press.
• Williams, M.A. J., Dunkerley, D.L., DeDeckker. P., Kershaw, A.P. and Chappell, J. M.A. (1998) Quaternary Environments (2nd edition) London: Edward Arnold.

See website: PalaeoWorks