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Innovation, adaptation and technology as habitus : the origins of alluvial gold mining methods in A ustralia
Author(s) -
Lawrence Susan,
Davies Peter
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
archaeology in oceania
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1834-4453
pISSN - 0728-4896
DOI - 10.1002/arco.5047
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , alluvium , habitus , gold rush , gold mining , adaptation (eye) , engineering , archaeology , geography , geology , psychology , geomorphology , ethnography , chemistry , neuroscience
Abstract The introduction of C ornish mining methods during the A ustralian gold rush provides a case study for examining the role of technological innovation in the context of migration. New physical and social environments encountered as a result of migration force migrants to adapt familiar technologies to their new circumstances. C ornish migrants to A ustralia were able to apply their knowledge of traditional methods for working alluvial tin deposits to the exploitation of alluvial gold. These methods were heavily dependent on reliable sources of water, and in order to ensure success, the miners developed innovative technical and legal systems for managing water supplies.