Archaeology . Anthropology . Environmental Design .
What we do
We work with First Peoples and multidisciplinary teams to record and communicate cultural heritage through:
Social Surroundings Assessments under the Environmental Protection Act (WA).
Heritage Surveys under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act (WA).
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plans under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act (WA).
Life of mine plans for mining and other long-term projects: complete integration of heritage management throughout the life of project.
Interpretation, signage and displays to communicate and celebrate cultural heritage.
Cultural heritage futures planning to anticipate impacts to or opportunities for cultural heritage in the future, from climate change or tourism for example.
Facilitation of workshops to bring First Peoples, proponents and other stakeholders together in the design and implementation of a project.
Environmental design for landscape and architectural projects attuned to people and places.
Together, we have embedded cultural heritage in hundreds of projects across Western Australia.
Download our Capability Statement and our Ethics Statement.
How we do it
Archaeology
Archaeological investigation and analysis:
Background research
Training and orientation
Survey, recording, excavation, dating
Specialist analyses: archaeobotany; ethnobotany; zooarchaeology; GIS
Reporting, mapping, & illustration
Synthesis and interpretation of results with First Peoples, proponents and others
Anthropology
Anthropological research and consultation:
Background research
Community liaison & meeting facilitation
Cultural mapping
More-than-human ethnography - relationships between animals, plants, humans and other living and non-living parts of the landscape
Family history research
Reporting
Synthesis and interpretation of results with First Peoples, proponents and others
Environmental Design
Design methods and outputs:
Design thinking - an iterative process (continual feedback and response) to redefine problems and develop innovative solutions to them
Futures thinking - anticipating impacts to and opportunities for heritage in the future
Regenerative practice - strengthening and leveraging interconnected systems
Landscape and architectural design projects attuned to people and places
Who we are
Joe Dortch
Principal Archaeologist Joe Dortch has worked with First Peoples across Western Australia since 1992. Clients include Aboriginal Corporations, resource majors and government agencies.
Joe is a leading archaeological researcher, having produced 55 peer-reviewed publications with Indigenous and academic collaborators. He is Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia, a Research Associate at the Western Australian Museum, and a Full Member of the Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc. Joe is Vice President of the Australian Archaeological Association.
Qualifications:
PhD, Archaeology, The University of Western Australia, 2001
BA (Honours, Archaeology), University of Southampton, 1991
Dirima Cuthbert
Dirima Cuthbert is Dortch Cuthbert’s Principal Anthropologist, having worked with First Peoples and proponents in the state’s South West, Goldfields and Pilbara regions since 1996. Dirima also has training and experience in Environmental Design, which brings a greater understanding of cultural landscapes to her anthropological work. Together, the two disciplines help her to embed heritage in projects in innovative and meaningful ways.
Dirima is Adjunct Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia, Vice President of the Anthropological Society of Western Australia and a Member of the Australian Anthropological Society.
Qualifications:
MEnvDes, The University of Western Australia, 2022
BDes (Arch), University of Sydney, 2005
BSc (Honours, Anthropology), The University of Western Australia, 1996
Bianca Veth
Heritage Officer Bianca Veth is trained as an Environmental Scientist. Bianca supports the team across all projects, but she is particularly involved in mapping and Traditional Owner and proponent liaison.
Qualifications:
BSc (Honours, Environmental Science), The University of Western Australia, 2022
Michael Thorpe
Dortch Cuthbert Archaeologist, Michael Thorpe, brings expertise in stone artefact technological analysis and characterisation of stone artefact assemblage formation. He leads fieldwork projects, and supports preparation of reports and laboratory analysis.
Qualifications:
BA (Honours, Archaeology) (double major archaeology and history), University of Western Australia, 2022
Jordanna Rebbeck
Assistant Anthropologist. Jordanna Rebbeck is a proud Kaneang and Wilman woman of Noongar Nation with Swiss-Italian heritage. She was trained in anthropology in the USA and in archaeology in Western Australia and she has spent several years learning from matriarchs in her community. With strengths in Aboriginal historical and archival research, ethnography, research ethics and data protection, Jordanna brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding to the Dortch Cuthbert team.
Qualifications:
BA (Cultural Anthropology; Archaeology) University of Pennsylvania and University of Western Australia 2018
Ashleigh Beaney
Project Support Officer Ashleigh Beaney is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, double major in Anthropology and Sociology and Geography at Curtin University, with expected graduation in 2025. With an extensive background in business administration, Ashleigh enhances business operations and provides valuable support to the Dortch Cuthbert team.
Dortch Cuthbert collaborates with a range of experts. We can build a multidisciplinary team to match the scope of your project.