The Society is committed to encouraging archaeological research and has established this Trust to encourage students to undertake post-graduate studies (including Honours degrees) in archaeology or closely related fields, in topics with relevance to the Australian Capital Territory and region. The Student Prize is merit based, and is awarded at the discretion of the panel established by the CAS Executive. 

Details of the Award

          CONDITIONS OF THE STUDENT PRIZE:

The Award has been established to provide financial assistance to those individuals who: 

1. are commencing or continuing relevant archaeological research undertaking post-graduate studies (including Honours degree);
2. are Australian citizens or permanent residents within the meaning of the Australian Citizen Act 2007; 
3. excel at an Australian university in the study of archaeology or the conservation of archaeological cultural heritage within the Australian Capital Territory or surrounding NSW; or
4. are to embark upon a course of study in an Australian university that is, in the opinion of the Trustees, relevant to furthering the understanding of the archaeological history or cultural heritage of the Australian Capital Territory or surrounding NSW; and
5. are a current member of the Canberra Archaeological Society;

In receiving the Student Prize: 

1. Acknowledgement of the support of the Canberra Archaeological Student Prize is expected all publications, reports, posters and theses arising from the research;
2. The recipient is required to provide a report summarising the outcomes of their research to be published with their name on the CAS website within one year of completing their research;
3. The awardee must present at the CAS Public Lectures within two years of receiving the funds;
4. The awardee will be asked to engage future marketing 

          FUNDING 

These awards will be up to $500 depending on the perceived relevance and scope of the project. A successful applicant may apply in subsequent years.

The Trustees may:

1. Provide funds for the purchase of books or equipment;
2. Provide funds for travelling expenses;
3. Provide funds for the publishing the work of the recipient;
4. Provide cash prizes; and/or
5. Provide funds for any other purpose in the furtherance of the recipient’s studies.

 

          APPLICATION PROCESS:
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The award is offered annually. Applications are invited from 10 March and must be received by 10 May. The successful applicants will be advised of the outcome by 10 June.

Please fill in the form below, your supervisor must endorse this application and confirm your project.

          1 - Summary of Research:

In your application, attach a summary of your research (maximum 1500 words) to this application outlining: 

1. Your research question(s) and contextualisation of the research;
2. How you are going to analyse your material and answer your question;
3. The value of your research and how it will contribute to the archaeological history or cultural heritage of the Australian Capital Territory or surrounding NSW region; and 
4. How the funds will be utlised to accomplish the research or further your studies.

 

         2 - Budget:

A budget outlining the use of the funds should be provided, including any quotes/receipts relevant to the provision of funds

        3 - Student application for an award and Supervisor endorsement for an award

The following form must be filled in by the student and the supervisor. The document can be completed digitally or by printing it out.

cas_award_application_digital_form.pdf
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Previous Prize Recipients

Elisa Scorsini

Master of Archaeological and Evolutionary Science
 The Australian National University

Geoarchaeology in Torres Straits, Dauar Island

The aim of this Independent Research project is to investigate the littoral site of Ormi, located on the southern coastline of Dauar, as these coastal deposits are likely to provide much-needed clarity into human activity transitioning between land-bridge and island phases in the eastern Torres Straits.
The previous excavation at Ormi undertaken by Carter et al. (2004) revealed an extensive disturbed
stratigraphic profile from which archaeological deposits are continuously dispersed across the beach and
foreshore (Ibid). Radiocarbon dating of the excavated archaeological remains produced evidence to suggest
occupation of the island and the exploitation of marine resources date from almost 2500 BP, as well as an
attested widespread occupation of the islands throughout Torres Strait from 1500 BP onwards.
Geomorphological analysis of the stratigraphy will provide clarification regarding past events on the site.
Further, investigations conducted on Mer and Dauar as part of the Murray Islands Archaeological Project
(MIAP) in 1998 recorded sites along the sloping terrace around the east and southeastern side of Mer called
zogo (Vanderwal,1973). These sites, which have a highly significant ritual value are connected to the seascapes and the marine environment itself. The ethnographic component of this research, including the study of oral traditions connected to seascapes, may shed light on the use and spread of these ritual sites on Dauar and, on a bigger scale, across other islands within ETS.

Liam Norris 

Bachelor of Archaeological Science (Honours)
 The Australian National University

The Late Holocene Occupation of Guerilla Bay: An example of a generalised economy from a littoral deposit on the NSW South Coast

The Guerrilla Bay study was intended to demonstrate the usefulness of student/consultant partnerships in producing original literature based on salvaged cultural heritage assets. This type of research project lets the student engage with the professional industry that they intend to enter following the completion of their Honours or Masters program, and additionally gives them access to unique materials that facilitate their gaining relevant experience in Australian archaeology. To achieve this aim the author endeavoured to develop research questions based on a salvaged archaeological deposit in order to make an original contribution to the body of literature surrounding Australian Archaeology. With the permission of relevant Aboriginal parties, New South Wales Archaeology Pty Ltd. generously gave the author access to an archaeological deposit excavated from Guerrilla Bay, south of Bateman’s Bay NSW. The material consisted of shell, bone and stone artefacts associated with a past Aboriginal occupation. The author proposed to analyse the remains so as to address any preservation concerns, examine the use of the site by past Aboriginal groups, and to situate the material within broader Aboriginal prehistory on the NSW South Coast.