VPRS 14397 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Reports (Heritage Services Branch)

Full description

The Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics Preservation Act 1972 (No 8273) provided for protection of all material relating to the past Aboriginal occupation of Australia, both before and after European occupation. This included individual artefacts, stone tools, rock art sites, ancient camp sites, and ruins and archaeological deposits associated with Aboriginal missions or reserves. The Act also established administrative procedures for archaeological investigations and the mandatory reporting of the discovery of Aboriginal sites to Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (AAV).

Prior to the start of fieldwork, a completed copy of FORM D (Notification of intention to carry out a survey) is submitted to AAV. Information on all sites located during the survey was provided in the form completed AAV record cards and associated documentation. Site record cards form the core of the AAV registry system. Information from the site record cards is entered into the AAV site database.

If no sites are found during the survey, AAV is notified in writing.

No archaeological excavations are carried out unless all appropriate permits and consents are obtained.

This series comprises reports of archaeological surveys and assessments involving Aboriginal cultural heritage in Victoria. The reports were submitted in accordance with the provisions of section 8 of Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics Preservation Regulations (S.R. No 49/2003). The survey reports deal with the documentation, analysis and assessment of recorded sites. These are reports resulting from an archaeological project in Victoria.

The format and contents of archaeological reports vary according to the requirements of each individual project. However, the reports in general show:

- title of report
- author
- year; and name of consultancy company, organisation or other body responsible for producing the report
- who commissioned /funded the work
- where/when the project took place; and,
- aim, results, and recommendations.

Depending on the type of project, appendices may include:
- copies of permits or approvals, obtained in connection with the project,
- copies of detailed site plans,
- Specialist reports (e.g. material identification); and other relevant information which is not suitable for inclusion in the main body of the report.