{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/DE260100335"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"DE260100335","attributes":{"code":"DE260100335","administering-organisation":"Flinders University","announcement-administering-organisation":"Flinders University","scheme-name":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2026,"years-funded":3,"project-start-date":"2026-01-01","anticipated-end-date":"2028-12-31","grant-summary":"The first global currency: tracing early Indian Ocean cowrie shell networks. This project will apply innovative methods in archaeological science to investigate how cowrie shell money from the Maldives—the first global currency—emerged and sustained globe-spanning trade networks for millennia.  It will deliver socio-cultural benefits by shedding light on the deep history of trade in our region and generating a better understanding and appreciation of the role of our Indo-Pacific partners in early global trade. The project seeks to engage with communities in India and the Maldives, strengthening regional relationships through collaboration and capacity building. To maximise impact, major findings will be disseminated through an international online exhibition to enhance global cultural awareness.","funding-current":533971.00,"funding-at-announcement":529735,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Mirani","familyName":"Litster","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-0843-1628 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Mirani","familyName":"Litster","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-0843-1628 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"Flinders University","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"SA"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"Flinders University","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"SA"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":true,"code":"4301","name":"Archaeology","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"430101","name":"Archaeological Science","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"430102","name":"Archaeology of Asia, Africa and the Americas","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"130702","name":"Understanding Asia’s Past","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"280113","name":"Expanding Knowledge In History, Heritage and Archaeology","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["England","India","Maldives","New Zealand","Norway"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"As an Indian Ocean nation, Australia’s prosperity and security rely on strong regional ties. Despite the Indian Ocean’s millennial role in global trade, significant gaps remain in our understanding of how culturally diverse communities navigated early trade relationships. This research will address these gaps by: (1) applying innovative archaeological techniques, and (2) engaging with communities in India and the Maldives to investigate how cowrie shell money — the first standardised currency — emerged and sustained globe-spanning trade networks for thousands of years.\n\nThis project aligns with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with India (2020), which led to the establishment of the Centre for Australia-India Relations (2023) to develop community and cultural ties. Field and analytical research will provide direct opportunities for capacity building in India and the Maldives, particularly in advanced analytical techniques (e.g., geochemistry, archaeological science) and heritage and tourism development. These contributions will strengthen regional relationships and support a more resilient Indian Ocean. To maximise impact beyond academia, findings will be disseminated through multilingual media, an open-access digital database, curricula materials for Australian schools, and an international online exhibition to enhance global cultural awareness."}}}