Archaeologists go Underwater

National Archaeology Week is focusing on the shipwrecks that make Western Australia an archaeological gold mine. A highlight will be a seminar on ‘The archaeological remains of Dutch Indiamen in early 17th Century’ to be held tomorrow, Thursday, May 25, 2006, at 5pm, at The University of Western Australia’s Simmonds Lecture Theatre, Third General Purpose Building. The public is welcome to join in activities including lessons in artefact handling and underwater photography. They will get to see the conservation that goes on behind the scenes at the Shipwreck Galleries in the Western Australian Maritime Museum. In addition, an archaeological dig will take place behind the Fremantle Hotel next week (June 1, 2 and 3) with University of Notre Dame archaeologist Dr Shane Burke. Once again, the community is invited to watch as European artifacts from early colonial days are unearthed, analysed and interpreted. The archaeologist’s favourite movie, ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’, will be screened on Friday, May 26, 2006, at 6.30pm in the Simmonds Lecture Theatre at UWA (snacks provided). National Archaeology Week aims to increase public awareness of Australian archaeology and promote the importance of protecting our unique heritage.