
Overview
Background
I studied archaeology at the University of Queensland, then completed my PhD at the Australian National University under the supervision of Prof Peter Hiscock and Distinguished Professor Sue O'Connor on Holocene technological and cultural change in Wardaman Country, Northern Territory. I then took up a postdoctoral Fellowship in the Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolution at the University of Cambridge, working closely with Professors Robert Foley, Marta Mirazon Lahr and Michael Petraglia. I returned to UQ as an ARC Fellow in 2004 and then took up a lectureship in the School of Social Science in 2005. My teaching is centred on stone tools, ancient technologies, Anustralian Indigenous heritage, Human Evolution and other topics. My research involves working closely with Aboriginal people documenting their cultural heritage, understanding the evolution of our species and the migration of Homo sapiens out of Africa and long-term change in many parts of the world, including East Timor, France, Africa, and India. I am currently working on Australia's oldest known site of Madjedbebe in close collaboration with the Mirarr and Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, and the site of Malangangerr with the Manilikarr, Njanmja Aboriginal Corporation and Kakadu National Park.
Availability
- Professor Chris Clarkson is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, Australian National University
Research interests
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Long-term cultural and technological change in western Arnhem Land
In collaboration with Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, Njanmja Aboriginal Corporation and Kakadu National Park
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The technological signature of Homo sapiens Out of Africa migration
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Long-term cultural change on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)
In collaboration with Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation and Everick Heritage PTY LTD
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Global origins of stone projectile point technology
Works
Search Professor Chris Clarkson’s works on UQ eSpace
2016
Book Chapter
Testing archaeological approaches to determining past projectile delivery systems using ethnographic and experimental data
Clarkson, C. (2016). Testing archaeological approaches to determining past projectile delivery systems using ethnographic and experimental data. Multidisciplinary approaches to the study of stone age weaponry. (pp. 189-201) edited by Radu Iovita and Katsuhiro Sano. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-94-017-7602-8_13
2015
Journal Article
Beyond a suggestive morphology: were Wardaman stone points exclusively spear armatures?
Brindley, Jared and Clarkson, Chris (2015). Beyond a suggestive morphology: were Wardaman stone points exclusively spear armatures?. Australian Archaeology, 81 (81), 12-23. doi: 10.1080/03122417.2015.11682061
2015
Journal Article
Teaching ancient technology using “hands-on” learning and experimental archaeology
Clarkson, Chris and Shipton, Ceri (2015). Teaching ancient technology using “hands-on” learning and experimental archaeology. Ethnoarchaeology, 7 (2), 157-172. doi: 10.1179/1944289015Z.00000000032
2015
Journal Article
Handaxe reduction and its influence on shape: an experimental test and archaeological case study
Shipton, C. and Clarkson, C. (2015). Handaxe reduction and its influence on shape: an experimental test and archaeological case study. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 3, 408-419. doi: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.06.029
2015
Journal Article
Front, back and sides: experimental replication and archaeological analysis of Hawaiian adzes and associated debitage
Clarkson, Chris, Shipton, Ceri and Weisler, Marshall (2015). Front, back and sides: experimental replication and archaeological analysis of Hawaiian adzes and associated debitage. Archaeology in Oceania, 50 (2), 71-84. doi: 10.1002/arco.5056
2015
Journal Article
Flake scar density and handaxe reduction intensity
Shipton, C. and Clarkson, C. (2015). Flake scar density and handaxe reduction intensity. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2, 169-175. doi: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.01.013
2015
Journal Article
The archaeology, chronology and stratigraphy of Madjedbebe (Malakunanja II): A site in northern Australia with early occupation
Clarkson, Chris, Smith, Mike, Marwick, Ben, Fullagar, Richard, Wallis, Lynley, A., Faulkner, Patrick, Manne, Tiina, Hayes, Elspeth, Roberts, Richard, G., Jacobs, Zenobia, Carah, Xavier, Lowe, Kelsey M., Matthews, Jacqueline and Florin, S. Anna (2015). The archaeology, chronology and stratigraphy of Madjedbebe (Malakunanja II): A site in northern Australia with early occupation. Journal of Human Evolution, 83, 46-64. doi: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2015.03.014
2015
Book Chapter
Retouch intensity on Quina scrapers at Combe Grenal: a test of the reduction model
Hiscock, Peter and Clarkson, Chris (2015). Retouch intensity on Quina scrapers at Combe Grenal: a test of the reduction model. Taxonomic tapestries : the threads of evolutionary, behavioural and conservation research . (pp. 103-128) edited by Alison M. Behie and Marc F. Oxenham. Canberra, ACT, Australia: ANU.
2015
Book Chapter
When to retouch, haft, or discard? Modeling optimal use/maintenance schedules in lithic tool use
Clarkson, Chris, Haslam, Michael and Harris, Clair (2015). When to retouch, haft, or discard? Modeling optimal use/maintenance schedules in lithic tool use. Lithic technological systems and evolutionary theory. (pp. 117-138) edited by Goodale, Nathan and Andrefsky Jr., William. New York, NY United States: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/CBO9781139207775.011
2014
Journal Article
Estimating original flake mass on blades using 3D platform area: problems and prospects
Muller, Antoine and Clarkson, Chris (2014). Estimating original flake mass on blades using 3D platform area: problems and prospects. Journal of Archaeological Science, 52, 31-38. doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2014.08.025
2014
Journal Article
Ground-penetrating radar and burial practices in western Arnhem Land, Australia
Lowe, Kelsey M., Wallis, Lynley A., Pardoe, Colin, Marwick, Ben, Clarkson, Chris, Manne, Tiina, Smith, Mike A. and Fullagar, Richard (2014). Ground-penetrating radar and burial practices in western Arnhem Land, Australia. Archaeology in Oceania, 49 (3), 148-157. doi: 10.1002/arco.5039
2014
Journal Article
Determining the reduction sequence of Hawaiian quadrangular adzes using 3D approaches: a case study from Moloka'i
Clarkson, Chris, Shipton, Ceri and Weisler, Marshall (2014). Determining the reduction sequence of Hawaiian quadrangular adzes using 3D approaches: a case study from Moloka'i. Journal of Archaeological Science, 49 (1), 361-371. doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2014.05.031
2014
Journal Article
Mapping stone: Using GIS spatial modelling to predict lithic source zones
Clarkson, Chris and Bellas, Angelo (2014). Mapping stone: Using GIS spatial modelling to predict lithic source zones. Journal of Archaeological Science, 46 (1), 324-333. doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2014.03.035
2014
Journal Article
The organisation of drill production at a neolithic lithic workshop site of Bai Ben, Cat Ba Island, Vietnam
Nguyen, Dong Truong and Clarkson, Chris (2014). The organisation of drill production at a neolithic lithic workshop site of Bai Ben, Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. Bulletin of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association, 33, 24-39. doi: 10.7152/bippa.v33i0.14508
2014
Conference Publication
Usewear on the platform: 'use-flakes' and 'retouch-flakes' from northern Australia and Timor
Hayes, Elspeth H., Fullagar, Richard L. K., Clarkson, Christopher J. and O’Connor, Sue (2014). Usewear on the platform: 'use-flakes' and 'retouch-flakes' from northern Australia and Timor. An Integration of the Use-Wear and Residue Analysis for the Identification of the Function of Archaeological Stone Tools: International Workshop, Rome, Italy, 5-7 March, 2012. Oxford, United Kingdom: Archaeopress.
2014
Book Chapter
East of Eden: founder effects and the archaeological signature of modern human dispersal
Clarkson, Christopher (2014). East of Eden: founder effects and the archaeological signature of modern human dispersal. Southern Asia, Australia, and the search for human origins. (pp. 76-89) edited by Robin Dennell and Martin Porr. New York, United States: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/CBO9781139084741.007
2013
Journal Article
Generativity, hierarchical action and recursion in the Acheulean to Middle Palaeolithic transition: a perspective from Patpara, the Son Valley, India
Shipton, C., Clarkson, C., Pal, J. N., Jones, S. C., Roberts, R. G., Harris, C., Gupta, M. C., Ditchfield, P. W. and Petraglia, M. D. (2013). Generativity, hierarchical action and recursion in the Acheulean to Middle Palaeolithic transition: a perspective from Patpara, the Son Valley, India. Journal of Human Evolution, 65 (2), 93-108. doi: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2013.03.007
2013
Journal Article
Variation in lithic technological strategies among the Neanderthals of Gibraltar
Shipton, Ceri, Clarkson, Christopher, Antonio Bernal, Marco, Boivin, Nicole, Finlayson, Clive, Finlayson, Geraldine, Fa, Darren, Giles Pacheco, Francisco and Petraglia, Michael (2013). Variation in lithic technological strategies among the Neanderthals of Gibraltar. PLoS ONE, 8 (6) e65185, e65185.1-e65185.13. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065185
2013
Journal Article
Measuring core reduction using 3D flake scar density: A test case of changing core reduction at Klasies River Mouth, South Africa
Clarkson, Chris (2013). Measuring core reduction using 3D flake scar density: A test case of changing core reduction at Klasies River Mouth, South Africa. Journal of Archaeological Science, 40 (12), 4348-4357. doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2013.06.007
2013
Book Chapter
An introduction to stone artefact analysis
Clarkson, Chris and O'Connor, Sue (2013). An introduction to stone artefact analysis. Archaeology in practice: a student guide to archaeological analyses. (pp. 151-206) edited by Jane Balme and Alistair Paterson. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Chris Clarkson is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Analysis of stone artefact assemblages or experimental archaeology
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
High-speed impact fractures and the global origins of projectile technology
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alison Crowther
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Doctor Philosophy
Hidden in the Haematite: patterns of continuity and change reflected in the selection, production and use of haematite at Madjedbebe, Arhmen Land, Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alison Crowther
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Doctor Philosophy
Seed grinding in traditional Aboriginal Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alison Crowther
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Doctor Philosophy
Seed grinding in traditional Aboriginal Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alison Crowther
-
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising damage to bone by Sarcophilus harrisii, Dasyurus maculatus and Dasyurus viverrinus in Australian archaeological assemblages
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Tiina Manne
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Doctor Philosophy
Characterising damage to bone by Sarcophilus harrisii and Dasyurus maculatus in archaeological and palaeontological assemblages from Sahul
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Tiina Manne
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Doctor Philosophy
Aboriginal and Environmental Interactions in Northern Australia: A faunal analysis of Malangangerr
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alison Crowther, Associate Professor Tiina Manne
Completed supervision
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2020
Master Philosophy
Pieces of a ground stone puzzle: experimental studies of seed-grinding in traditional Aboriginal Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Tiina Manne
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Regime change: An anthracological assessment of fuel wood selection and management at Madjedbebe (Malakunanja II), Mirarr country, Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Fairbairn
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2017
Master Philosophy
The role of experimental knapping in empirically testing key themes in the evolution of lithic technology: reduction intensity, efficiency and behavioural complexity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Fairbairn
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Archaeological Expressions of Holocene Cultural and Environmental Change in Coastal Southeast Queensland
Principal Advisor
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2010
Master Philosophy
Material culture and behaviour in pleistocene sahul: examining the archaeological representation of pleistocene behavioural modernity in sahul
Principal Advisor
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
A Technological Analysis of a Neolithic Lithic Workshop at Bai Ben, Vietnam
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Ian Lilley
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Polynesian quarrying and adze production in southern New Zealand: Social organisation and manufacturing technology
Associate Advisor
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Archaeobotanical investigations into 65,000 years of plant food use at Madjedbebe, Mirarr country, northern Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Fairbairn
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Worn to the Bone: Use-wear of bone points from the Madjedbebe rockshelter, Arnhem Land
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alison Crowther, Associate Professor Tiina Manne
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
A Peacock's Tale: Runaway agricultural evolution and the development of Pre-Pottery Neolithic communities in the southern Levant
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Fairbairn
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Chris Clarkson directly for media enquiries about:
- Archaeology
- Human Evolution
- Indigenous Archaeology
- Stone Tools
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