Digging For Success: A proposed strategic plan for Overseas Chinese archaeological research in Australia

Abstract

This thesis examines the archaeology conducted on Far North Queensland Chinatowns, utilising archaeological approaches from North American Chinese sites to create a model to reinterpret Overseas Chinese archaeology. The four parts of the model are: 1) Collection of background information and raw data; 2) Characterisation of the site 3) Context of the site; and 4) Practice and engagement.The vast majority of Chinese people travelling to Australia during the Nineteenth Century settled across the country in search of economic opportunities. The migration of Chinese people during this period also occurred in other places such as North America. Research on the archaeology of the Overseas Chinese in Australia developed in the 1980s and included investigations of mining camps, agriculture, industry and other settlement sites (such as Chinatowns). During the Twentieth Century, many Chinese returned to China or integrated into larger city centres. The abandonment of many of these early Chinese sites means they have, because of neglect, suffered impacts from environmental change and development.Examining research principally arising from archaeological observations, the findings have shown a consensus on the lack of theoretical discourse on Overseas Chinese in Australia. This is not a problem exclusive to Overseas Chinese studies as it can be argued that this also applies to historical archaeology generally. This covers a range of theories, for example multiscalar (Voss 2008), diasporic (Gonzalez-Tennant, 2011) and transnational theory (Kraus-Friedberg, 2008), with the majority of these theoretical approaches applied to North American Chinese sites.Archaeological research on Chinese sites in North America began from the 1960s and coincides with the inception of the Society of Historical Archaeology and North America’s federal legislation the National Historic Preservation Act 1966. The Overseas Chinese experienced the same level of discrimination in Australia and North America as both countries were dominated by western culture; however based on archaeological evidence, the Chinese managed, at least to some extent, to retain their traditional practices and beliefs. The main differences between North American and Australian Overseas Chinese archaeology are: the time research first began, legislation (driven by cultural heritage management/resource), greater amount of development across North America versus Australia, disciplinary perspectives and the different site types examined. Both countries demonstrate differences that should be compared and applied to future research on Overseas Chinese sites.Arguably, Far North Queensland Chinese sites is one of the best researched archaeology of the Overseas Chinese within Australia, which is much due to the dedication of researchers and local members of Chinese communities who together have been advocating for cultural heritage awareness and protection. Lawrence and Davies (2011:226) argue in the context of Australian historical archaeology, Overseas Chinese archaeology in Australia is well researched and has made significant contribution. This thesis offers a solution to the issues encountered in current archaeological practice by creating and applying a model to reinterpret Overseas Chinese sites. By applying a more pragmatic and strategic approach to the archaeology of the Chinese in Australia, the outcomes of this can in turn benefit archaeological practice by prompting sophisticated approaches, models and perspectives for holistic archaeological outcomes.