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Professor Chris Clarkson
Professor

Chris Clarkson

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53235

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

  • Long-term cultural and technological change in western Arnhem Land

    In collaboration with Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, Njanmja Aboriginal Corporation and Kakadu National Park

  • The technological signature of Homo sapiens Out of Africa migration

  • Long-term cultural change on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)

    In collaboration with Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation and Everick Heritage PTY LTD

  • Global origins of stone projectile point technology

Works

Search Professor Chris Clarkson’s works on UQ eSpace

113 works between 1994 and 2024

81 - 100 of 113 works

2009

Journal Article

Human occupation, adaptation, and behavioral change in the Pleistocene and Holocene of South India: Recent Investigations in the Kurnool District, India

Petraglia, Michael, Korisettar, Ravi, Bai, M. Kasturi, Boivin, Nicole, Clarkson, Christopher, Cunningham, Kevin, Ditchfield, Peter, Fuller, Dorian, Hampson, Jamie, Haslam, Michael, Jones, Sacha, Koshy, Jinu, Miracle, Preston, Oppenheimer, Clive and White, Kevin (2009). Human occupation, adaptation, and behavioral change in the Pleistocene and Holocene of South India: Recent Investigations in the Kurnool District, India. Eurasian Prehistory, 6 (1-2), 119-166.

Human occupation, adaptation, and behavioral change in the Pleistocene and Holocene of South India: Recent Investigations in the Kurnool District, India

2008

Journal Article

Behavioural complexity in Eurasian Neanderthal populations: A chronological examination of the archaeological evidence

Langley, Michelle C., Clarkson, Christopher and Ulm, Sean (2008). Behavioural complexity in Eurasian Neanderthal populations: A chronological examination of the archaeological evidence. Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 18 (3), 289-307. doi: 10.1017/S095977430S000371

Behavioural complexity in Eurasian Neanderthal populations: A chronological examination of the archaeological evidence

2008

Journal Article

Behavioural complexity in Eurasian Neanderthal populations: A chronological examination of the archaeological evidence

Langley, M., Clarkson, C.J. and Ulm, S. (2008). Behavioural complexity in Eurasian Neanderthal populations: A chronological examination of the archaeological evidence. Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 18 (3), 289-307. doi: 10.1017/S0959774308000371

Behavioural complexity in Eurasian Neanderthal populations: A chronological examination of the archaeological evidence

2008

Book Chapter

The construction of morphological diversity: A study of Mousterian Implement retouching at Combe Grenal

Hiscock, P and Clarkson, Christopher J. (2008). The construction of morphological diversity: A study of Mousterian Implement retouching at Combe Grenal. Lithic Technology: Measures of Production, Use, and Curation.. (pp. 106-135) edited by Andrefsky, W.. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/CBO9780511499661.006

The construction of morphological diversity: A study of Mousterian Implement retouching at Combe Grenal

2008

Journal Article

Tapping into the past: Exploring the extent of Palaeolithic retouching through experimentation

Clarkson, C. J. and Hiscock, P. (2008). Tapping into the past: Exploring the extent of Palaeolithic retouching through experimentation. Lithic Technology, 33 (1), 5-16. doi: 10.1080/01977261.2008.11721057

Tapping into the past: Exploring the extent of Palaeolithic retouching through experimentation

2008

Book Chapter

Changing Reduction Intensity, Settlement, and Subsistence in W ardaman Country, Northern Australia

Clarkson, C.J. (2008). Changing Reduction Intensity, Settlement, and Subsistence in W ardaman Country, Northern Australia. Lithic Technology: Measures of production, use, and curation. (pp. 286-316) edited by Andrefsky, W.. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/CBO9780511499661.014

Changing Reduction Intensity, Settlement, and Subsistence in W ardaman Country, Northern Australia

2008

Journal Article

SCRAPER AND NOTCH REDUCTION IN MIDDLE AND UPPER PALAEOLITHIC ASSEMBLAGES FROM CENTRAL EUROPE

Nejman, L. and Clarkson, C.J. (2008). SCRAPER AND NOTCH REDUCTION IN MIDDLE AND UPPER PALAEOLITHIC ASSEMBLAGES FROM CENTRAL EUROPE. Lithic Technology, 33 (1), 17-30. doi: 10.1080/01977261.2008.11721058

SCRAPER AND NOTCH REDUCTION IN MIDDLE AND UPPER PALAEOLITHIC ASSEMBLAGES FROM CENTRAL EUROPE

2008

Book Chapter

Lithics in the landscape

Clarkson, Christopher J. (2008). Lithics in the landscape. Handbook of landscape archaeology. (pp. 490-501) edited by Bruno David and Julian Thomas. Walnut Creek, CA, U.S.A.: Left Coast Press.

Lithics in the landscape

2007

Journal Article

Retouched notches at Combe Grenal and the reduction hypothesis

Hiscock, Peter and Clarkson, Chris (2007). Retouched notches at Combe Grenal and the reduction hypothesis. American Antiquity, 72 (1), 176-190. doi: 10.2307/40035303

Retouched notches at Combe Grenal and the reduction hypothesis

2007

Journal Article

Middle Paleolithic Assemblages from the Indian Subcontinent before and after the Toba Super-Eruption

Petraglia, Michael, Korisettar, Ravi, Boivin, Nicole, Clarkson, Christopher, Ditchfield, Peter, Jones, Sacha, Koshy, Jinu, Lahr, Marta Mirazón, Oppenheimer, Clive, Pyle, David, Roberts, Richard, Schwenninger, Jean-Luc, Arnold, Lee and White, Kevin (2007). Middle Paleolithic Assemblages from the Indian Subcontinent before and after the Toba Super-Eruption. Science, 317 (5834), 114-116. doi: 10.1126/science.1141564

Middle Paleolithic Assemblages from the Indian Subcontinent before and after the Toba Super-Eruption

2007

Book

Lithics in the Land of the Lightning Brothers: The Archaeology of Wardaman Country, Northern Territory (Terra Australis 25)

Clarkson, C. (2007). Lithics in the Land of the Lightning Brothers: The Archaeology of Wardaman Country, Northern Territory (Terra Australis 25). Canberra: ANU E Press.

Lithics in the Land of the Lightning Brothers: The Archaeology of Wardaman Country, Northern Territory (Terra Australis 25)

2006

Journal Article

Explaining point variability in the eastern Victoria river region, northern territory

Clarkson, C. J. (2006). Explaining point variability in the eastern Victoria river region, northern territory. Archaeology In Oceania, 41 (3), 97-106. doi: 10.1002/j.1834-4453.2006.tb00618.x

Explaining point variability in the eastern Victoria river region, northern territory

2006

Journal Article

Quantifying Flake Scar Patterning on Cores Using 3D Recording Techniques

Clarkson, Chris, Vinicius, Lucio and Lahr, Marta (2006). Quantifying Flake Scar Patterning on Cores Using 3D Recording Techniques. Journal of Archaeological Science, 33 (1), 132-142. doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2005.07.007

Quantifying Flake Scar Patterning on Cores Using 3D Recording Techniques

2006

Book Chapter

An Introduction to Stone Artefact Analysis

Clarkson, C. J. and O'Connor, S. (2006). An Introduction to Stone Artefact Analysis. Archaeology in Practice: A Student Guide to Archaeological Analyses. (pp. 159-206) edited by J. Blame and A. Patterson. Malden: Blackwell Publishing.

An Introduction to Stone Artefact Analysis

2006

Conference Publication

Exploring Change in Neanderthal Behavioural Complexity: An Innovative Approach to the Study of Neanderthal Behaviour

Langley, Michelle C., Ulm, Sean and Clarkson, Chris (2006). Exploring Change in Neanderthal Behavioural Complexity: An Innovative Approach to the Study of Neanderthal Behaviour. Australian Archaeological Association Annual Conference, Beechworth, Victoria, 8-10 December 2006.

Exploring Change in Neanderthal Behavioural Complexity: An Innovative Approach to the Study of Neanderthal Behaviour

2006

Journal Article

Comment on "Reassessing Australia's linguistic prehistory" by Mark Clendon

Clarkson, Chris (2006). Comment on "Reassessing Australia's linguistic prehistory" by Mark Clendon. Current Anthropology, 47 (1), 52-53.

Comment on "Reassessing Australia's linguistic prehistory" by Mark Clendon

2006

Journal Article

Reassessing Australia's linguistic prehistory: Comments

Clarkson, C. J. (2006). Reassessing Australia's linguistic prehistory: Comments. Current Anthropology, 47 (1), 52-53. doi: 10.1086/497671

Reassessing Australia's linguistic prehistory: Comments

2006

Journal Article

Interpreting Surface Assemblage Variation in Wardaman Country, Northern Territory: An Ecological Approach

Clarkson, Chris (2006). Interpreting Surface Assemblage Variation in Wardaman Country, Northern Territory: An Ecological Approach., 7, 177-192.

Interpreting Surface Assemblage Variation in Wardaman Country, Northern Territory: An Ecological Approach

2005

Book Chapter

Measuring Artefact Reduction: An evaluation of Kuhn's Geometric Index of Unifacial Reduction

Hiscock, Peter and Clarkson, Chris (2005). Measuring Artefact Reduction: An evaluation of Kuhn's Geometric Index of Unifacial Reduction. Lithics 'Down Under': Australian Approaches to Lithic Reduction, Use and Classification. (pp. 7-20) edited by Clarkson, Chris and Lamb, Lara. Oxford: Archaeopress.

Measuring Artefact Reduction: An evaluation of Kuhn's Geometric Index of Unifacial Reduction

2005

Book Chapter

Tenuous Types - Scraper Reduction Continuums in the Eastern Victoria River Region, Northern Territory

Clarkson, Chris (2005). Tenuous Types - Scraper Reduction Continuums in the Eastern Victoria River Region, Northern Territory. Lithics "Down Under": Australian Approaches to Lithic Reduction, Use and Classification. (pp. 21-34) Oxford: Archaeopress.

Tenuous Types - Scraper Reduction Continuums in the Eastern Victoria River Region, Northern Territory

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    The impact of sea level rise on humans in Indonesia and the origins of new rock art styles, technological change and seafaring. Stage 1: Partner Meetings and Workshops in Jakarta
    Rock Art Australia Strategic Grants
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    High-speed impact fractures and the global origins of projectile technology
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Rock art, archaeology and climate change in the Meikinj Valley, Western Arnhem Land
    Rock Art Australia Strategic Grants
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    When did modern humans first reach Australia? New Excavations at Malangangerr, Kakadu National Park
    National Geographic Society
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    Establishing the antiquity and quantity of pigment processing at Madjedbebe
    Rock Art Australia Strategic Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Zooming In, Zooming Out: High-Definition Multi-Scalar Technologies in Archaeology, Cultural Heritage and Environment
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer (CF-IRMS) and ancillary preparation systems for carbon, nitrogen and sulfur isotope microanalysis for archaeology, biology, earth and environmental scie
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2023
    New Archaeological Investigations at Ancient Sites in Kakadu National Park
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Ochre Origins: analysing early evidence of the human colonisation of Sahul
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Operationalising research collections in archaeological science and museum studies
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013
    AMS Radiocarbon dating of ancient hearths associated with burials, early occupation, grindstones and ground edge axes at Malakunanja II
    Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Building Capacity in Experimental and Scientific Archaeology at UQ
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Archaeology of rock art in Jawoyn country, western Arnhem Land (ARC Linkage Project administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2012
    A social science e-research hub for data management, analysis and dissemination in material and visual culture
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Analysis of the Lithic Assemblage from Mt Gellibrand
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Archaeological survey of 75 km of easement - Calvale
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Archaeological survey of 45 km of easement - Bouldercombe
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2015
    Modern Human Origins and Early Behavioural Complexity in Australia and South East Asia
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011
    New directions and capacity building in archaeological and palaeoenvironmental research
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    ResTeach 2011 0.1 FTE School of Social Science
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Enhanced field and laboratory microscopy and spectroscopy facilities for understanding past and current environmental changes in Geographical and Archaeological Sciences
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Characterisation of chert quarries and the archaeology of the Hiri Trade System, Gulf Province Lowlands, PNG
    Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Assessing lithic evidence for the impact of the Toba super-eruption (74,000 years ago) on long-term cultural, biological and ecological histories on the Indian subcontinent
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Creating new research opportunities in archaeological & anthropological science
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    The African origins of Asian and Australian lithic technologies: Exploring modern human origins and dispersals using new techniques of core analysis
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Modelling Early Human Diversity and Dispersal Routes Using Quantitative Analysis of Palaeolithic Core Technologies
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Chris Clarkson is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Analysis of stone artefact assemblages or experimental archaeology

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • 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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    High-speed impact fractures and the global origins of projectile technology

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Alison Crowther

  • 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

  • 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

Media

Enquiries

Contact Professor Chris Clarkson directly for media enquiries about:

  • Archaeology
  • Human Evolution
  • Indigenous Archaeology
  • Stone Tools

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au