Backyard Archaeology Symposium

The Backyard Archaeology Symposium is aimed at a general audience and is associated with a current CMAG exhibition – Backyard Archaeology. 

The symposium will present case studies from the ACT region and a panel discussion on the idea of ‘backyard archaeology - everyone can do it!' The presentations aim to raise awareness of archaeology, history, and gardens in local contexts and of personal importance (as opposed to the grand and best). They will show how backyard studies can reveal and inspire stories of everyday life through found and excavated objects and garden plants. The Symposium will appeal to citizens interested in family history research and creating place history narratives.

The presenters are Steve Brown (Backyard Archaeology), Martin Rowney (Backyard Blundells), Nicola Hayes (Backyard Bunker), Doug Williams (Backyard Dunny), and Anne Claoue-Long (Backyard Garden). 

The Symposium is supported by the Canberra Museum + Gallery, University of Canberra 'Everyday Heritage Project', and Australian Archaeological Association. It is a National Archaeology Week event.