Darwin, Northern Territory Studying the past to enhance the future
The World Archaeological Congress (WAC), founded in 1985, is a non-profit membership organisation that brings together archaeologists, heritage professionals, anthropologists, historians, and Indigenous leaders worldwide. It holds an international congress every four years, offering a platform for knowledge sharing, cultural exchange, and collaboration – this was the first time it had ever been held in Australia.
The event also provides training and public education, particularly for disadvantaged communities, and plays a key role in empowering Indigenous and First Nations Peoples in discussions on archaeological research, policy, practice, and politics.
The 2025 Congress was hosted by Australia’s Flinders University in partnership with the Northern Institute of Charles Darwin University (CDU) – academic sessions were held at CDU’s city campus Danala which is located in the Darwin Central Business District.
Learning from the world’s oldest living culture
Staging the Congress in the NT provided an opportunity for delegates to view ancient rock art sites in World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, whilst also meeting and engaging with the Traditional Owners of the land whose culture dates back 65,000 years.
Professor Claire Smith, AO, who was the WAC-10 Congress Academic Secretary and is a Professor of Archaeology at Flinders University, spoke about the NT’s relevance to the Congress subject matter.
“For Flinders University, the NT holds a special place in our archaeology teaching and research. For over 30 years, our researchers have been helping to uncover the region’s deep and diverse stories – a commitment that continues to this day. I think the delegate takeaway from WAC-10 will be the vibrancy of the NT, the relaxed friendliness and community and the fact that Aboriginal culture is so accessible to people in the NT.”
The NT displays a demonstrable commitment to Indigenous-led research and storytelling with institutions such as CDU and Flinders University having strong partnerships with Traditional Owners and also being leaders in community-based archaeological research.
Legacies & community engagement
As part of its focus to provide training and education, WAC-10 developed a crowdfunding program to support attendance at the Congress for twenty early-career women from low exchange rate countries. Another key legacy was the formation of a new group to be known as Women In Archaeology.
Of specific relevance to the NT was the official launch of the Barunga Aboriginal Knowledge Centre (BAKC), with the ceremony conducted as an official Congress session. Barunga is a remote NT Aboriginal community, with the BAKC providing a platform for Aboriginal people to earn income by teaching cultural protocols and conducting research on Aboriginal society and culture, whilst residing in their own communities.
“Personally, I’ve found the Indigenous component really enlightening,” said Professor Karina Croucher, Professor of Archaeology, Heritage and Wellbeing at the University of Bradford in the UK. “With the support of Indigenous communities, it just highlights the way forward for archaeology – of people working together, of community, of us thinking about the future and the role that archaeology can play. I think the Northern Territory is a fantastic location to actually highlight those themes.”
A diverse archaeology program
The academic program featured plenary and general sessions, academic workshops, forums, keynote panel discussions and online poster presentations addressing all forms of archaeology, with preeminent global scholars as panellists and keynote speakers. WAC-10 featured a total of 175 sessions focussed on 26 different themes, with 20 sessions running concurrently.
Highlighting the diversity and inclusivity of the Congress, a cultural festival ran parallel with the WAC-10 program. Showcasing Indigenous cultures from various nations, it featured visual and performing arts, with Australian Aboriginal Elders, teachers and artists also sharing their stories, artworks and ancient traditions.
A series of bespoke one-day scientific tours was offered mid-Congress to places of archaeological and cultural significance in World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park. The tours included locations such as Nourlangie, Cooinda and Ubirr, and were guided by scientists and the Traditional Custodians.
Delegates indicated that the destination’s cultural connections had made a significant contribution to the success of the Congress.
“I love how connected Darwin is with the local culture,” said Ruben Claro “Kim” Reyes IV, Graduate and Researcher with the University of the Philippines School of Archaeology. “My favourite part was being able to explore Kakadu. It was amazing seeing the artwork and even more amazing to see the living stakeholders of these important archaeological sites, still here today.”
Social program embraces cultural themes
The WAC-10 Opening Night Reception was staged at the NT’s premier cultural facility, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory with the event coinciding with the staging of the Annual Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, Australia’s longest running Indigenous art awards.
A Gala Awards Dinner for over 1200 guests was held outdoors on the Darwin Esplanade in the extensive parkland overlooking Darwin Harbour and featured The Youth Mill Performing Arts Company. An informal dinner event held on another evening at Mindil Beach Sunset Market enabled delegates to stroll amongst more than 200 speciality stalls featuring multicultural cuisine, art, crafts and entertainment whilst also admiring a breathtaking over-water sunset for which Darwin is justifiably renowned.
In the end, Professor Claire Smith says it best: “With 50% of our delegates coming from overseas, Darwin was a great destination in terms of air access. The direct flights from Singapore took just over four hours, with one-stop connections from the UK, Middle East, Africa, America and beyond.”
For further information on Australia’s NT, visit www.ntbusinessevents.com.au