Richard Fullagar

Richard Fullagar is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Archaeology within the School of Social Sciences at The University of Western Australia. His research spans multiple continents with significant contributions to understanding ancient human-environment interactions, particularly in Australia and the Americas.

His research interests focus on archaeological science, rock art studies, Pleistocene megafauna, Aboriginal cultural landscapes, and material culture analysis. His work often bridges scientific methodologies with Indigenous knowledge systems to create more comprehensive understandings of past human societies. His fingerprint in research includes significant contributions to understanding Pleistocene environments, rock art, megafauna, and shell tool production across Australia and the Americas.

Recent publications reveal a strong focus on interdisciplinary approaches that combine archaeological science with traditional knowledge. His work spans from the analysis of ancient plant processing in Papua New Guinea to shell knife manufacture in northern Australia and rock art studies in Victoria. His research demonstrates a consistent interest in material culture analysis across different temporal and geographical contexts.

Professor Fullagar is currently an investigator on the active ARC-funded project 'From the Desert to the Sea: Managing Rock Art, Country and Culture' (2022-2027), which examines rock art management across diverse Australian landscapes. His work has received significant attention with multiple publications being referenced in Wikipedia pages, picked up by numerous news outlets, and shared across social media platforms.