Debating Ancient History: Aboriginal Australia

How do we know about Australia’s ancient past, and how do we continue to learn more?

In this hands-on workshop, students unpack multiple perspectives on Australia’s ancient history, using objects and artefacts to piece together elements of the past.

Using techniques to analyse real and replica objects from the Museum’s collections, students learn about archaeologists, Traditional Owners of Country and historians while considering ethical concerns associated with the treatment, display and interpretation of collections, including human remains.

Student experience

Students will:

• Handle and analyse real and replica objects and artefacts from the Museum’s collection
• Use inquiry-based learning to better understand professional investigation techniques
• Visit the Origins gallery to explore the roles and contributions of Traditional Owners and archaeologists in Australia’s ancient history
• Encounter challenging questions and interrogate issues around collecting cultural artefacts and human remains

Program feedback

"The whole session was well put together and ran smoothly. It was engaging - the students enjoyed all parts - and the presenter explained everything beautifully."

Curriculum links

This program links to the following strands of the Western Australian Curriculum:

Year 7

HASS
History: Deep Time History of Australia

• How Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the world’s oldest continuing cultures, displaying evidence of both continuity and change over Deep Time (WA7HAKUH2)
• The development of early innovative technologies by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and how they were developed in different places 
  (WA7HAKUH3)
• The importance of conserving cultural heritage in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (WA7HAKUH4) 

HASS skills: Questioning and researching

• Identify current understandings to consider possible gaps and/or misconceptions, new knowledge needed and challenges to personal perspectives (WA7HASKQ1)
• Identify differences in terms of origin and purpose between primary sources and secondary sources (WA7HASKQ5)

Year 11

Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies (ATAR):

Unit 1 - Depth Study Two

• students investigate the importance and protection of Australian First Nations Peoples’ cultural heritage, including:
  • Australian First Nations Peoples’ tangible and intangible cultural heritage
  • the importance of protecting Australian First Nations Peoples’ cultural heritage

Unit 2 - Depth Study Two

• Students investigate:
  • the role of the WA Museum Boola Bardip and one other cultural centre in showcasing, educating and changing peoples’ perceptions about Australian First Nations Peoples’ histories and cultures.

Ancient History (General):

Unit 1 – Ancient civilisations and cultures

• Elective: Ancient Australia and the First Peoples

Ancient History (ATAR):

Unit 2 – Investigating the Ancient World (general skills outside of SCSA-approved electives)

Year 12

Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies (ATAR):

Unit 3 - Depth Study Two

• Students investigate:
  • the reasons why First Nations Peoples’ ancestral remains and sacred objects were removed from their communities both in Australia and globally.
  • the place of cultural repatriation in the reconciliation process.

Ancient History (General):

Unit 3 – Societies and change (general skills outside of SCSA-approved electives)

Ancient History (ATAR):

Unit 4 – Reconstructing the Ancient World (general skills outside of SCSA-approved electives)

All facilitated workshops are led by the Museum’s experienced Learning and Engagement team and have been curated using the Museum’s unique resources to provide a deeper learning experience in our specialist subject areas.

Your booking for a facilitated workshop will include all materials and activities for the duration of the program with no prior preparation required.

As part of all facilitated workshop bookings, you are welcome to explore the rest of the Museum free of charge pre or post workshop and do not need to make any additional bookings to do so.  WA Museum Boola Bardip is open daily from 9.30am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm.