Author: Emily Runzi
Runzi, Emily, 2021 Churchill Island: An investigation into the relationship between industrialisation, the ideology of improvement, and heritage environment , Flinders University, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
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Industrial archaeology has grown to incorporate not only the analysis of cultural material, but also the investigation of the social context and human experience of the individuals who lived during the period of the industrial revolution, which is loosely defined as starting in 1760 and
ending in 1840, although its effects would continue to be felt in the periods immediately following its close. The industrial revolution coincided with the ideology of improvement, a set of values that encompassed hard work, cleanliness, brightness and rationality. The uptake of this ideology and its values can be traced in the archaeological record, through the analysis of materials and built heritage that display preferences amongst individuals towards the values of the ideology of improvement as a result of an increased identification with the movement and its ideals. Tangible evidence for the identification with improvement ideals, which encouraged the industrial revolution can be seen in the spatial organisation of built heritage, the use of enclosure, botanical organisation and artefacts. International studies on the relationship between the industrial revolution, the ideology of improvement and heritage environment are discussed, as is the general lack of Australian studies in this area, which is especially apparent when applied to a regional context. Recommendations are made for further studies into the impact of the industrial revolution and ideology of improvement in an Australian context, and a regional Australian context.
Keywords: Industrial archaeology, archaeology, the ideology of improvement, ideologies, agricultural revolution, industrial revolution, Churchill Island, Victoria, Australia, regional, rural, island, enclosure, built heritage, historical, early settlement, botanical, tourism
Subject: Archaeology thesis
Thesis type: Masters
Completed: 2021
School: College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Supervisor: Heather Burke