Paul S.C.Taçon

Experience

• 2011–present
  Chair in Rock Art Research, Griffith University
• 2005–2011
  Professor of Archaeology & Anthropology, Griffith University
• 1999–2005
  Principal Research Scientist, The Australian Museum
• 1996–1999
  Senior Research Scientist, The Australian Museum
• 1993–1996
  Research Scientist, The Australian Museum
• 1991–1993
  Scientific Officer, The Australian Museum
• 1989–1990
  Associate Professor, Trent University

Education

• 1990 
  Australian National University, PhD
• 1984 
  Trent University, Ontario, Canada, MA
• 1980 
  University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, BA (Honours)

Publications

• 2014
  A scientific study of a new cupule site in Jabiluka, western Arnhem Land, Rock Art Research
• 2013
  Further geological and palaeoanthropolgocial investigations at the Maludong hominin site, Yunnan Province, Southwest China, Chinese Science Bulletin
• 2013
  Mid-Holocene age obtained for nested diamond pattern petroglyph in the Billasurgam Cave complex, Kurnool District, southern India, Journal of Archaeological Science
• 2012
  Uranium-series age estimates for rock art in southwest China, Journal of Archaeological Science
• 2012
  Human remains from the Pleistocene-Holocene transition of Southwest China suggest a complex evolutionary history for East Asians, PLoS One
• 2011
  The recent rock drawings of the Lenggong Valley, Perak, Malaysia, Antiquity
• 2010
  A minimum age for early depictions of Southeast Asian praus in the rock art of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australian Archaeology
• 2010
  Painting History: Indigenous observations and depictions of the ‘other’ in northwestern Arnhem Land, Australia, Australian Archaeology
• 2010
  New rock art discoveries in the Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh, India, Antiquity
• 2010
  Ancient bird stencils in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia, Antiquity
• 2010
  Naturalism, nature and questions of style in Jinsha River rock art, northwest Yunnan, China, Cambridge Archaeological Journal
• 2010
  The age of Australian rock art: a review, Australian Archaeology
• 2009
  Thinking with animals in Upper Palaeolithic rock art, Cambridge Archaeological Journal
• 2008
  Rainbow colour and power among the Waanyi of northwest Queensland, Cambridge Archaeological Journal
• 2007
  Human dispersal into Australasia, Science
• 2006
  Wollemi petroglyphs, NSW, Australia: an unusual assemblage with rare motifs, Rock Art Research
• 2006
  Comparison of sedimentation and occupation histories inside and outside rock shelters, Keep-River Region, northwestern Australia, Geoarchaeology
• 2004
  Transitional traditions: ‘Port Essington’ bark-paintings and the European discovery of Aboriginal aesthetics, Australian Aboriginal Studies
• 2003
  Depicting cross-cultural interaction: figurative designs in wood, earth and stone from south-east Australia, Archaeology in Oceania
• 2002
  Extraordinary engraved bird track from North Australia: extinct fauna, Dreamtime Being or aesthetic masterpiece?, Cambridge Archaeological Journal
• 2000
  Visions of Dynamic power: archaic rock-paintings, Altered States of Consciousness and ‘clever men’ in western Arnhem Land (NT), Australia, Cambridge Archaeological Journal
• 2000
  Minimum ages for pecked rock markings from Jinmium, north western Australia, Archaeology in Oceania
• 1999
  All things bright and beautiful: the role and meaning of colour in human development, Cambridge Archaeological Journal
• 1998
  The archaeology of rock-art, Cambridge University Press
• 1997
  Cupule engravings from Jinmium-Granilpi (northern Australia) and beyond: exploration of a widespread and enigmatic class of rock markings, Antiquity
• 1996
  Birth of the Rainbow Serpent in Arnhem land rock art and oral history, Archaeology in Oceania
• 1994
  Socialising landscapes: the long term implications of signs, symbols and marks on the land, Archaeology in Oceania
• 1994
  Australia’s ancient warriors: changing depictions of fighting in the rock art of Arnhem Land, N.T. (with comments from 10 leading authorities and reply), Cambridge Archaeological Journal
• 1993
  Regionalism in the recent rock art of western Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Archaeology in Oceania
• 1991
  The power of stone: symbolic aspects of stone use and tool development in western Arnhem Land, Australia, Antiquity

Grants and Contracts

• 2012
  The peopling of East Asia and Australia

  Role:

  Chief Investigator

  Funding Source:

  ARC Linkage

• 2012
  History places: Wellington Range rock art

  Role:

  Lead Chief Investigator

  Funding Source:

  Northern Territory Government

• 2010
  Rock-art research task group: an international opportunity for the implementation of a new scientific network for the documentation, preservation and ethical management of world rock-art

  Role:

  Chief Investigator

  Funding Source:

  Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

• 2008
  Rock-art research task group: an international opportunity for the implementation of a new scientific network for the documentation, preservation and ethical management of world rock-art

  Role:

  Chief Investigator

  Funding Source:

  Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

• 2008
  The late Pleistocene peopling of East Asia and associated climate-environment history

  Role:

  Chief Investgator

  Funding Source:

  ARC Discovery

• 2008
  Picturing Change: 21st Century Perspectives on Recent Australian Rock Art, especially that from the European Contact Period

  Role:

  Lead Chief Investigator

  Funding Source:

  ARC Discovery

• 2004
  The landscape of Blue Mountains rock-art

  Role:

  Chief Investigator

  Funding Source:

  National Geographic

• 2004
  Asia’s first people: the role of East Asia in human evolution during the past half million years

  Role:

  Chief Investigator

  Funding Source:

  ARC Discovery

Honours

Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities (FAHA); Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London (FSA)