Colonial Frontier Massacres in Australia, 1788-1930
Reviewed by: Wale Shittu
Review start: February 16, 2024
Review updated: February 20, 2024
Site Link:
- https://c21ch.newcastle.edu.au/colonialmassacres/introduction.php
- https://c21ch.newcastle.edu.au/colonialmassacres/map.php
Archive Link: https://archive.ph/9t8AF
Data Sources
- Newspapers
- Local Journals
- Government archival sources
- Unpublished Diaries
- Local Reports from anthropologists, archaeologists, geologists, and linguists.
- Scholarly Articles
- Drawings, films, and paintings
Partners and Funding Sources
- The Wollotuka Institute
- The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
- The Australian Research Council (ARC)
- The ARC Discovery Project scheme
Processes
- The research team follows the approach set out by historical sociologist Jacques Semelin, investigating massacres through the basic triangle of aggressor, victim, and witness.
- A rigorous methodology is employed, examining pre-conditions, oral and written accounts, and evidence produced in the long aftermath of the events.
- The definition of a colonial frontier massacre is established as the deliberate killing of six or more relatively undefended people in one operation.
Presentation
The findings are presented through an interactive map, allowing users to explore and understand the geographical distribution of frontier massacres. Information is organized under various categories such as site name, Aboriginal place name, language group, colony, coordinates, date, victims, attackers, weapons, and narrative, creating a comprehensive overview.
Digital Tools Used
The map and 3D terrain visualization are implemented using:
- Javascript
- API
- ESRI
- ArcGIS
Languages
English
Review
The Frontier Massacres Project, developed by the Centre for 21st Century Humanities, stands as a commendable and crucial initiative aimed at identifying and documenting sites of frontier massacres in Australia from 1788 to 1930. The project's meticulous methodology, focused on thorough research and documentation, reflects a dedicated commitment to shedding light on Australia's violent colonial history.
One of the project's notable strengths lies in its dedication to fostering public awareness and contributing to informed debates. By providing open access to its findings, the Centre for 21st Century Humanities invites the broader public to engage with and comprehend the harsh realities of the past. This transparency contributes significantly to the ongoing dialogue about Australia's history, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding frontier massacres.
The inclusion of a detailed map, showcasing the specific locations of these historical tragedies and the number of individuals affected, adds a powerful visual dimension to the project. This mapping feature not only aids researchers and academics but also serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of these events. It effectively transforms statistics into a tangible, geospatial narrative, making the information more accessible and relatable to a wider audience.
A commendable aspect of the project is its commitment to inclusivity. By acknowledging the impact on Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and non-Indigenous communities, the project recognizes the interconnectedness of these histories. This holistic approach encourages a more comprehensive exploration of the past, fostering unity and understanding among diverse communities.
Moreover, the project's allocation of substantial resources for this critical information globally underscores its commitment to education and outreach. By leveraging various channels to share its findings, this ensures that the project's impact extends beyond academic circles, reaching a broader audience and fostering a collective responsibility to confront historical injustices.
In conclusion, the Frontier Massacres Project emerges as a significant contribution to Australia's historical scholarship, successfully blending meticulous research with a commitment to transparency and accessibility. By bridging the gap between academia and the public, this project paves the way for a more informed, empathetic, and united approach to grappling with the complexities of Australia's colonial past.
How does this project address information?
This Project effectively addresses information by taking a holistic strategy that includes gathering, transformation, and analysis. The project assures a comprehensive dataset on Australia's colonial history by drawing on a variety of sources such as newspapers, journals, government archives, and scholarly articles. This data is transformed using a careful technique that examines pre-conditions, oral and written accounts, and evidence from the aftermath of the events. Using the approach proposed by historical sociologist Jacques Semelin, the project provides a comprehensive analysis of the processes surrounding each atrocity, adding to our understanding of the historical context.
How well does this project handle information?
In evaluating the efficacy of the project in handling information, it becomes apparent that the integration of existing data and its transformation into a comprehensive database does not overwhelm users. Rather, the project enhances the user experience by presenting information in an intuitive and visually engaging manner. Through an interactive map and categorization based on various parameters such as site name, date, victims, and attackers, users can explore and comprehend the geographical distribution of frontier massacres without feeling inundated. The structured presentation of information not only facilitates navigation but also fosters a deeper understanding of Australia's colonial past, thereby contributing significantly to public awareness and education.