Pearls, People, and Power: the Transformation of the Indian Ocean World

这一多学科项目的目标是首次对印度洋世界(IOW)的珍珠进行跨洋调查，重点是红海、波斯湾、印度/斯里兰卡、苏鲁海和澳大利亚北部。它将使用基于商品的历史分析和以实物为中心的传记，对以欧洲帝国主义和工业化为标志的时代的劳动制度、贸易网络和珍珠/珍珠壳的文化价值进行比较研究。该项目包括历史、民族志和电影组成部分，预计将制作文本、电影和博物馆展示。它还旨在提供对IOW历史的新理解，以及对澳大利亚在IOW历史上的地位的新评价。

This multidisciplinary project aims to be the first transoceanic investigation of pearling in the Indian Ocean World (IOW), focusing on the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, India/Sri Lanka, Sulu Sea and northern Australia. It will use commodity-based historical analyses and object-centred biographies to undertake comparative studies of labour systems, trade networks and the cultural value of pearls/pearl shell during an era marked by the spread of European imperialism and industrialisation. The project includes historical, ethnographic and film components and is expected to produce texts, films and museum displays. It is also designed to deliver a new understanding of the IOW past, and a new appreciation of Australia's place in IOW history.