Deep time in settler-colonial presents

Deep time in settler-colonial presents

Over the course of the twentieth century, scholars have found different ways of reading ‘Aboriginal Dreaming’ stories as historical accounts of events in Australia’s ‘deep time’. Dr Laura Rademaker, from the ANU School of History, suggests that, when analysed alongside developments in Australian settler–Indigenous relations, the various readings of Aboriginal stories map onto changing views of Indigenous difference as well as and the usefulness and value of Indigenous culture as a ‘deep history’ or heritage for the settler nation. This analysis reveals that merely engaging with Indigenous stories is not inherently decolonising. Rather, the interpretation of Aboriginal story is best done with great care and in partnership with Indigenous owners of this knowledge.

Join in-person or via zoom: https://anu.zoom.us/j/84955848358?pwd=BlAgPRsbVdbBo9vrMB8mLEfcgz3FAo.1

Meeting ID: 849 5584 8358
Password: 602080

Presented as part of the School of Archaeology and Anthropology's 2025 Centre for Archaeological Research (CAR) Seminar series