Arboreal Alterations: Tree modification and meaning making from the past to the present
2 & 3 November 2023 at The Australian National University
Call for Papers: Closes on 31 July 2023
Within Australia and the Pacific region carved (dendroglyphs/arborglyphs), inscribed, marked and
modified trees are an important expression of Indigenous visual cultural practice and heritage. The
broader category of culturally modified trees includes scarring from canoe and implement
manufacture and other cultural activities, as well as non-Indigenous practices of blazing and
memorialising.
Culturally Modified Trees have become a growing area of archaeological enquiry. In
recent years carved and marked trees have also been an inspiration for contemporary Indigenous
and non-Indigenous artists. However, these ancient trees are increasingly under threat due to
accelerating land clearance, as well as bush fires as climate warms and storms become more
frequent. This symposium will investigate arboreal alterations covering historical, archaeological, art
and contemporary perspectives.
Please send a title, 200 word abstract, author(s) names and affiliations by Monday 31st July 2023 to
Harry Cope (Harry.Cope@anu.edu.au) for consideration.
Some funding may be available to assist Indigenous contributors to participate (contact sue.oconnor@anu.edu.au).
The symposium is hosted by the ARC ‘Archives in Bark’ Special Research Initiative.