[Aqualist] ARC Success in DP and DECRA awards

[Simon Haberle]

Dear All,

The ARC announced the successful Discovery and DECRA awards today. A summary of the successful Quaternary research-related projects are listed below. Congratulations to all those successful applicants. Apologies if I have missed anyone out (please let me know).

Cheers, Simon
Dept of Archaeology and Natural History, ANU

__________________________________
DECRA


The Australian National University

DE150100070
Wood, Dr Rachel E
Total: $370,807.00
ARCHAEOLOGY
Project Summary: This project aims to develop techniques to radiocarbon date archaeological tooth enamel. In warm environments, it is rarely possible to date bone, as the protein targeted degrades rapidly. Without direct dates on skeletal material, chronologies underpinning archaeological studies across much of Australia and South East Asia (SEA) are insecure, hindering the study of numerous archaeological questions. Enamel is relatively stable, but it does degrade during burial. The effect of degradation on the radiocarbon age of archaeological teeth will be studied to identify the least altered areas for dating. Using these outcomes, a chronology for the spread of pigs through SEA will then be developed, testing models that explain how early farming practices developed.


La Trobe University

DE150101203
Hayes, Dr Sarah C
Total: $323,189.00
ARCHAEOLOGY
Project Summary: Victoria's 19th century gold rush triggered a major social and economic transformation with far ranging consequences. This project aims to investigate how individuals responded and contributed to this transformation over their life course, and how this moulded current values around quality of life in Australia. The project also aims to develop a pioneering approach that will integrate historical and archaeological evidence on individual, site, neighbourhood, city and global levels in new ways. Fresh social histories of Melbourne and Bendigo will be generated, which reinforce national identity and have implications for understanding the impact of the current mining boom on individuals.


The University of Queensland

DE150101597
Manne, Dr Tiina
Total: $371,607.00
ARCHAEOLOGY
Project Summary: For over 40 years, archaeologists have debated the nature of the initial colonisation of Australia and how people subsequently coped with large-scale climate change. This is the first study to examine systematically variation in human subsistence behaviour and animal community structure across northern Australia. Through analyses of archaeofaunas from key archaeological sites, this project aims to test assumptions about why and how northern Australia was first occupied and the manner in which people responded to dramatic environmental shifts. An additional outcome of this project, it is hoped, will be insight into the causes of fragmentation in Australian fauna assemblages and in particular, the recognition of carnivore damage.


DE150100492
Thompson, Dr Jessica C
ARCHAEOLOGY
Project Summary: This project will test novel hypotheses about human behavioural strategies and responses to resource stress in central Africa at the time of early human dispersals out of Africa. It aims to examine how behavioural complexity observed in the stone artefact records of southern and eastern Africa relate to those in northern Malawi, which lies at a key crossroads for these dispersals. The study area contains rare archaeological deposits that offer a unique opportunity to address problems of early human resource use at all scales: site, landscape, and region. This project aims to contribute to human origins research through investigation of why and how local geophysical and climatic constraints shaped past human behaviour relative to other regions.


The University of Sydney

DE150100756
Polkinghorne, Dr Martin
Total: $371,034.00
ARCHAEOLOGY
Project Summary: This project aims to conduct the first systematic archaeological investigations of Cambodian Middle Period capitals on the banks of the Mekong and Tonle Sap arterial rivers between 1350 and 1750. Whilst the decline of Angkor is one of the most significant events in the history of Southeast Asia, we do not have a precise date for the event that involved the relocation of many hundreds of thousands of people. By determining when the Kings of Angkor moved to the southern capitals we will clarify the end of Angkor, retrieve Cambodian history from a perceived Dark Age, and reveal critical linkages between the celebrated Angkorian past and modern and contemporary Cambodia.


The University of New South Wales

DE150100107
Menviel, Dr Laurie
Total: $369,536.00
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCE
Project Summary: In the past 50 000 years there were several episodes of abrupt climate change during which atmospheric carbon dioxide rose significantly. This project aims to determine the causes of past abrupt changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide. The project is significant because understanding changes in the global carbon cycle is essential to estimate future climate trajectories. Innovatively, it will highlight the relationship between Southern Hemisphere water masses and the marine carbon cycle during abrupt climate change. The expected outcomes include a better understanding of the interplay between Southern Ocean processes and the carbon cycle.

______________________________
DISCOVERY PROJECTS

The Australian National University

DP150104458
Hung, Dr Hsiao-chun; Carson, Dr Michael T
Total: $288,660.00
ARCHAEOLOGY
Project Summary: Over several centuries since 4000 BC, the social-ecological setting of Taiwan transformed from low-impact hunting- foraging to high-density village residence and intensive farming. Meanwhile, it was reshaped by new strategic relations with the outside world through migration and trade networks. New research aims to investigate how these long-term developments inter-related and transcended changing climate, natural habitats, population size, and other factors. The research is designed to address how a complex economic landscape system developed and sustained itself through ongoing challenges, by concentrating on Taiwan as a uniquely informative example of combined intensive internal land- use and external partnerships.

DP150101164
O'Reilly, Dr Dougald J; Shewan, Dr Louise G; Armstrong, Dr Richard A; Lim, A/Prof Samsung; Chang, Dr Nigel J; Domett, Dr Kathryn M; Halcrow, Dr Sian E
Total: $425,100.00
ARCHAEOLOGY
Project Summary: Since their discovery in the 1930s, the mysterious collections of giant stone jars scattered throughout central Laos have remained one of the great prehistoric puzzles of south-east (SE) Asia. It is thought that the jars represent the mortuary remains of an extensive and powerful Iron Age culture. This project seeks to determine the true nature of these sites, which date to a dynamic period of increasing complexity in SE Asia (c.500BCE-500CE). The project entails extensive reconnaissance, precision mapping, archaeological excavation and analysis of associated burial material. Using a suite of cutting-edge archaeological technologies, it is expected to have far-reaching benefits for archaeology, science, Laos and World Heritage.

DP150104548
Lambeck, Prof Kurt
Total: $266,300.00
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCE
Project Summary: Glacio-isostatic (GI) effects are recorded in geological and geodetic data sets and mask other deformational processes. This project builds on past work using geological data with a focus on combining geodetic and geological evidence to improve knowledge of the past ice sheets, separate out effects of past and present deglaciation and develop improved models for the mantle rheology to include time-dependencies in mantle response (transient creep in the first instance). The project aims to provide a complete and predictive description of the GI effects on geodetic data, consistent with geological evidence, such that other tectonic, hydrologic and sea-level signals can be estimated free of these effects.

DP150104604
King, Dr Penelope L
Total: $287,500.00
GEOLOGY
Project Summary: High temperature gases circulate through Earth's interior and atmosphere, but little is known about how they react. Recent work shows that exceptionally rapid reactions occur between gases and solids at surfaces. These reactions are instrumental in forming ore deposits and transporting gases and salts to Earth's surface, atmosphere and oceans - affecting climate and biological productivity. This project aims to examine natural samples and investigate gas-solid reactions experimentally to constrain reaction mechanisms. It is expected that the project outcomes will open up a new field of geochemistry with novel experiments, state-of-the-art analysis and the development of innovative models that account for the role of gas-solid reactions in Earth and planetary processes.


The University of New South Wales

DP150102753
Field, Dr Judith H; Summerhayes, Prof Glenn R
Total: $485,088.00
ARCHAEOLOGY
Project Summary: Around 50 000 years ago, people crossed the Wallace Line and set foot on Sahul (Pleistocene Australia-New Guinea) for the first time. Rapid dispersal across the Sahul continent followed during a period of climatic deterioration. Subsequent human impacts on the landscape are well preserved in the fossil record, particularly plants. This project aims to implement an archaeological and palaeobotanical approach to investigate the temporal and spatial patterning of landscape use through a period of climatic change in the Late Quaternary. The results are expected to provide a fuller understanding of the subsistence strategies and dynamics of human responses to climate change over long time periods.

DP150101331
England, Prof Matthew H; Sen Gupta, Dr Alexander R; Santoso, Dr Agus; McGregor, Dr Shayne; Ummenhofer, Dr Caroline C; Cai, Dr Wenju; Timmermann, Prof Axel
Total: $621,400.00
OCEANOGRAPHY
Project Summary: Variability in the Pacific Ocean has a profound impact on global climate. Recent unprecedented decadal variability in the Pacific has been linked to global temperature trends and extremes, yet little is known about what drives this variability or its impact on regional climate. This project will combine observations, advanced coupled climate models and ocean- atmosphere dynamical theory to quantify remote drivers of Pacific Ocean variability on interannual-decadal time-scales. This project aims to enhance our understanding of the modes of variability operating in this region and their impact on global and Australian climate. This will have significant benefits for the many sectors of society reliant on interseasonal- decadal climate prediction.

The University of Sydney

DP150100121
Betts, Prof Alison V; Vicziany, Prof Marika A; Di Castro, Dr Angelo Andrea; Dodson, Prof John R; Cong, A/Prof Dexin; Li, Prof Xiao Qiang; Salzman, Prof Philip
Total: $673,882.00
ARCHAEOLOGY
Project Summary: The early rise of China's great civilization owed its rapid momentum to important technological innovations that were brought in from the far distant Eurasian steppes, but almost nothing is known of how or why this process took place. The project aims to explore these questions through excavations at one of China's most important Bronze Age archaeological sites in western Xinjiang. The innovations include the cultivation of wheat and barley, complex metallurgical techniques in bronze, silver and gold, the domesticated horse and the spoke-wheeled chariot, which became a universal weapon of war across the ancient world. The project aims to test theories of cultural transmission through interactive GIS modelling of environment and land use potential.


DP150103518
Clarke, Dr Anne F; Philp, Dr Jude P; Torrence, Dr Robin -; Knowles, Ms Chantal M
Total: $479,026.00
ARCHAEOLOGY
Project Summary: Sensing the impacts of colonisation, the first Administrator of British New Guinea William MacGregor made a significant collection of objects specifically for its future citizens. This comprehensive legacy of 13 000 objects did not remain in the country but was dispersed to three Australian and six overseas museums. Our aim is to re-assemble and re-connect this material by 'excavating' its private and official components. This research aims to focus on the makers and traders to disentangle the social relationships embedded in the objects. Using material-centred, assemblage-based archaeological approaches, we aim to investigate how indigenous groups used objects to negotiate with the new colonial government


Southern Cross University

DP150102092
Eyre, Prof Bradley D; Schulz, A/Prof Kai G; Andersson, Asst Prof Andreas
Total: $349,700.00
GEOCHEMISTRY
Project Summary: Dissolution of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in sediments in the context of ocean acidification is poorly understood. This project will use in situ advective benthic chamber incubations and experimental manipulations under future ocean acidification scenarios to determine the controls on the dissolution of CaCO3 in sediments. This project is significant because changes in the dissolution of CaCO3 in sediments in an acidifying ocean are at least as important, and potentially more important, than calcification to the future accretion and survival of carbonate ecosystems. It is expected that outcomes of this project will significantly advance our understanding of the drivers of the dissolution of CaCO3 in sediments and the functioning of globally important carbonate ecosystems

DP150103286
Sanders, Dr Christian J; Santos, A/Prof Isaac R; Sachs, Prof Julian P
Total: $277,187.00
SOIL SCIENCES
Project Summary: The aim of this project is to investigate carbon burial in mangroves during current and historical climatic conditions through in depth dating methods and paleoclimate reconstructions. The project intends to use state-of-the-art radionuclide tracer technologies to determine system scale aspects of the mangrove carbon budget, i.e. burial, tidal export and respiration. This project is significant because it aims to delineate how climatic conditions are directly related to the mangrove carbon budget. Further, the site specific data on historical mangrove carbon burial could allow adaptation strategies for use of coastal wetland habitats that sequester CO2, a natural means to help ameliorate greenhouse gas, as support for mangrove forest protection and restoration.


University of Wollongong

DP150101936
Woodroffe, Prof Colin D; Murray-Wallace, Prof Colin V; Kennedy, Dr David M; Tamura, Dr Toru; Nichol, Dr Scott L; McBride, Dr Randolph A
Total: $384,700.00
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCE
Project Summary: This project aims to reconstruct sedimentary processes and evolution of key coastal plains in southern Australia. These low-lying coasts, and the settlements and infrastructure on them, are vulnerable to inundation and shoreline erosion. Past behaviour of different types of coasts will be determined by combining innovative geospatial techniques to map morphology and past changes, geophysical imaging of stratigraphy and geochronology. The outcome will be models that explain responses to sediment availability, past storm history and sea-level changes. This will benefit sustainable coastal planning and management, providing geomorphological evidence to support erosion hazard assessments of these and adjacent coasts.


La Trobe University

DP150100586
Cosgrove, A/Prof Richard F; Garvey, Dr Jillian M; Webb, Dr John A
Total: $356,322.00
ARCHAEOLOGY
Project Summary: This project examines the archaeology of Aboriginal people in eastern Tasmania. Its major aim is to test two models of Holocene and late Pleistocene land use. It investigates the earliest traces of human occupation in eastern Tasmania and subsequent cultural developments after the apparent abandonment of southwest Tasmanian caves at the end of the ice age. The study aims to strengthen understanding of the impact of geographic connectedness and isolation on Aboriginal populations and the development of Tasmanian Aboriginal society recorded at European contact. Its potential significance lies in contributing to debates on Aboriginal social/economic change and stasis.

DP150100487
Stern, Dr Nicola; Jacobs, Dr Zenobia; McClusky, Dr Simon ; Williams, Prof Ian S; Murray- Wallace, Prof Colin V; Grun, Prof Dr Rainer; Denham, Dr Timothy P
Total: $472,343.00
ARCHAEOLOGY
Project Summary: The southern tip of the Mungo lunette is an icon of Australia's Indigenous past. Despite its international significance, the archaeological traces have disintegrated as the lunette has eroded over the past 30 years. In this interdisciplinary project, collaboration with Elders from the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area is expected to reconstruct the history of environmental changes and the life-ways of the first humans to settle this region. The focus will be on stitching together the archaeological traces scattered through space and time, and on measuring processes of modern sediment erosion and deposition so as to develop management strategies for the future protection of this unique archive of Australia's past.


Monash University

DP150102033
Hope, A/Prof Colin A; Bowen, Dr Gillian E; Gardner, Prof Iain
Total: $541,582.00
ARCHAEOLOGY
Project Summary: This project aims to examine the growth and survival of the cult of Seth in Egypt's Western Desert against the background of the cult's suggested proscription elsewhere in the ancient state. Through detailed excavation and radiometric dating of the cult centre in Dakhleh Oasis, it aims to explore the proposition that the continued veneration of Seth can be read as a sign of regional independence. This is intended to challenge the orthodox view that Egypt operated as a monolithic state; reshaping how we approach ancient Egyptian religion and administration. In doing so, the study is expected to position an Australian research team at the forefront of contemporary scholarship on Egypt, enhancing our national reputation in the promotion and preservation of global heritage.


The University of Adelaide

DP150103875
Tibby, Dr John; Moss, Dr Patrick T; Leng, Prof Melanie; Shakun, Dr Jeremy; Spooner, Adj/Prof Nigel A
Total: $381,140.00
ARCHAEOLOGY
Project Summary: Before the arrival of Europeans, two events shaped Australia's current landscapes and biota more than any others: climate change during the glacial cycle and the arrival of humans on the continent. However, the full scale of these events is not well understood. High resolution analyses of two continuous 140 000 year old sediment deposits will be used in this project to fill this void and answer fundamental questions about how current Australian environments came to be.


The Flinders University of South Australia

DP150100264
Prideaux, A/Prof Gavin J; Hutchinson, Dr Mark N
Total: $295,900.00
EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
Project Summary: The Wellington Caves in central eastern New South Wales are Australia's most historically significant fossil locality and preserve one of the world's most complete records of vertebrate life spanning the past 4 million years. To date this unique archive has been vastly under-exploited as a source of information on how faunas respond to increased aridity and climatic variability, as well as human activities over the past 50 000 years. This project aims to elucidate how climate change drove the evolution of the modern fauna of eastern Australia by analysing changes in diversity, diet and community structure over time. It may also help break the 130-year climate-versus-humans deadlock over what drove the Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions.


The University of Queensland

DP150101513
Shulmeister, Prof James P; Hesp, Prof Patrick A; Miot da Silva, Dr Graziela; Welsh, Dr Kevin J; Santini, Dr Talitha; Larsen, Dr Joshua; Gontz, A/Prof Allen M; Rittenour, Dr Tammy
Total: $364,900.00
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCE
Project Summary: This project aims to generate fundamental information about the timing and mode of formation of sand dunes in the world's largest downdrift sand system, Cooloola and Fraser Island, Queensland. The project aims to provide a world class record of climate variability, sea-level change and long term climate change from the sub-tropics of Australia, an area critical to understanding global climate links and sea-level change but where high quality long-term records are sparse and little investigated. This project will also underpin the outstanding universal value of the Fraser Island World Heritage Area which is based on the area being the world's largest sand island, but for which scientific understanding of the sand dunes is remarkably poor.


Curtin University of Technology

DP150102235
Grice, Prof Kliti; Bush, Prof Richard T; Visscher, Prof Dr Pieter T; Sessions, Prof Alex; Schwark, Prof Dr Lorenz
Total: $443,900.00
GEOCHEMISTRY
Project Summary: This project will apply compound specific sulfur isotope analyses to sulfur-rich deposits from extreme environments including sulfidic black oozes (Peel-Harvey estuary); modern microbialites (for example, Shark Bay) and oils/source rocks (established and frontier oil fields). Sulfur isotopic data, integrated with other stable isotopic and molecular data, will greatly assist the study of sulfur biogeochemical cycles and mechanisms of organic sulfurisation at different diagenetic stages or geological ages. The project aims to address national concerns through measuring the respective impact of anthropogenic and natural changes on environments, helping to understand the evolution of life on Earth and contributing to efficient discovery of our natural petroleum systems.