World Archaeological Congress comes to Australia
The 10th World Archaeological Congress will take place in Darwin on Larrakia Country from 22 to 28 June 2025. GML is proud to support this significant event for the global archaeological community.
Hosted by Flinders University in partnership with the Northern Institute at Charles Darwin University, the congress will be held in Australia for the first time and is expected to welcome around 1,700 participants from over 70 countries.
A signature event for archaeologist and heritage professionals, the congress offers a rich and inclusive program that reflects the depth and diversity of global archaeology.
From ancient human adaptation and rock art conservation to digital innovation and space archaeology, the themes span science, identity, heritage, gender, ethics, and climate change. The program brings together global perspectives and Indigenous knowledge, encouraging fresh thinking and meaningful dialogue across cultures, time periods, and disciplines.
Several GML team members will attend and present. Principal Dr Tim Owen will deliver two papers at the Congress. The first re-examines Sydney Harbour as a Deep Time Aboriginal cultural landscape, revealing rich cultural connections shaped by more than 35,000 years of First Nations occupation—offering a perspective that extends beyond its colonial history. His second paper explores Aboriginal food traditions in southern Australia, examining how diets evolved during the Holocene in response to environmental and social change.
Principal Dr Nadia Iacono will share insights from GML’s recent work at the World Heritage–listed Sydney Opera House. Her paper focuses on how an escalator upgrade project enabled the recording and in situ preservation of rare, state-significant remains of Fort Macquarie, which lie beneath the Opera House —highlighting how even small-scale projects can deliver meaningful archaeological outcomes.
Senior Associate Alison Starr will present findings from her PhD research, The Graves of the Incognito Warriors, which explores the fate of Japanese wartime casualties in Australia.
GML is delighted to support this important gathering and contribute to conversations that are shaping the future of archaeology and heritage practice. We look forward to sharing knowledge, learning from others, and deepening connections with colleagues and communities from around the world.
