Wallace R., Dip.Fine.Arts(Auckland), Dip.Arch.Cons (London), DLit. (ANU)
Visiting Fellow, Department of Archaeology and Natural History

Email: wal.ambrose@anu.edu.au

Biographical Statement

I have been interested in the way that archaeological remains deteriorate over time. This has lead to research into the treatment through freeze-drying of water-degraded timbers in Papua New Guinea and historic structures in Antarctica. Another interest is the dating, chemical analysis and distribution of obsidian as an indicator of prehistoric societal interaction in the southwest Pacific. More recently I have pursued an interest in the technology behind the shared design elements of pottery, fabrics and personal ornamentation in Oceania.

Research Interests

The development of obsidian dating as a means for assessing weathering changes over time in soil micro-environmental conditions. The use of materials analysis, and study of artefact technology, for showing prehistoric interaction between societies in the southwest Pacific.

Key Publications

• 'Big pots on a small Lou Island', in S. Bedford, C. Sand and D. Burley (eds), Fifty years in the field. Essays in honour and celebration of Richard Shutler Jr's archaeological career. New Zealand Archaeological Association, Auckland, pp59-67, 2002.
• with Stevenson C.M., and Suzuki M. 'Current trends in Obsidian studies in the Circum-Pacific Region'. Obsidian Culture Research No2. Meiji University Research Centre, Tokyo, pp195-208. 2003.
• with Novak S.W., and Abdelrehim I. 'Powdered obsidian for determining hydration rates and site thermometry'. Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry (4)2:17-31. 2004.
• 'The implements of Lapita ceramic stamped ornamentation', in S. Bedford, C. Sand and S.P. Connaughton (eds) Oceanic Explorations: Lapita and Western Pacific Settlement. Australian National University, pp 213-221. 2007.
• with Allen, C., O'Connor, C., Spriggs, M., Reepmeyer, C., and Oliveira, N. V. 'Possible obsidian sources for artefacts from Timor: narrowing the options using chemical data'. Journal of Archaeological Science 36:607-15. 2009.
• 'Oceanic tattooing and the implied Lapita ceramic connection', in press with the Easter Island Foundation. 2009

Career Highlights

Analysis of obsidian sources and distribution in the southwest Pacific. Organisational role in Australasian Archaeometry Conferences (1982, 1985, 1988, 1990). Member, Antarctic Science Advisory Committee, Human Impacts (1996-2000). Editorial Board, Journal of Archaeological Science (1987-present). Archaeological field work in Papua New Guinea (1966-91), and Antarctica (1990, 91, 94).