<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/217866/original/file-20180506-166884-ca809e.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;rect=10%2C270%2C2256%2C1502&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1050&amp;h=700&amp;fit=crop" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The battle for the Franklin River runs far deeper than simply providing the backdrop for a political tug-of-war.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">PETER DOMBROVSKIS/ LIZ DOMBROVSKIS/AAP</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>On 1 July 1983, in a dramatic four-three decision, the High Court of Australia ruled to stop the damming of the Franklin River. It ended a long campaign that helped bring down two state premiers and a prime minister, as well as overseeing the rise of a new figure on the political landscape – the future founder of the Greens, Bob Brown.</p> <p>But the battle for the Franklin River runs far deeper than simply providing the backdrop for a political tug-of-war. </p> <p>In today’s episode of <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/podcasts/Essays-On-Air">Essays on Air</a> - the audio version of The Conversation’s Friday essay series - writer and historian Billy Griffiths reads his essay on <a href="https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-how-archaeology-helped-save-the-franklin-river-92510">how archaeology helped save the Franklin River</a>. Its rich history and significance to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community made the proposed dam a controversy that captivated the nation. </p> <p><em>Today’s episode was recorded and edited by Sybilla Gross. Find us and subscribe in Apple Podcasts, in Pocket Casts or wherever you get your podcasts.</em></p> <p><strong>Additional Audio</strong></p> <p>Snow by <a href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/David_Szesztay/Cinematic/Snow">David Szesztay</a></p> <p>Cave Drips by <a href="https://freesound.org/people/everythingsounds/sounds/199515/">everythingsounds</a></p> <p>Climbing gear by <a href="https://freesound.org/people/Benboncan/sounds/66630/">Benboncan</a></p> <p>Cave footsteps by <a href="https://freesound.org/people/Timbre/sounds/75413/">Timbre</a></p> <p>Cave River by <a href="https://freesound.org/people/jpdeglet69/sounds/130368/">jpdeglet69</a></p> <p>Pottery sounds by <a href="https://freesound.org/people/Tumbleweed3288/sounds/381548/">Tumbleweed3288</a></p> <p>Loud River by <a href="https://freesound.org/people/FractalStudios/sounds/363116/">FractalStudios</a></p> <p>Panting by <a href="https://freesound.org/people/Drkvixn91/sounds/317478/">Drkvixn91</a></p> <p>Fire crackling by <a href="https://freesound.org/people/daenerys/sounds/260713/">daenerys</a></p> <p>Rain by <a href="https://freesound.org/people/acclivity/sounds/28283/">acclivity</a></p> <p>Howling Wind by <a href="https://freesound.org/people/DBlover/sounds/405601/">DBlover</a></p> <p>Newspaper by <a href="https://freesound.org/people/deleted_user_1116756/sounds/74301/">deleted_user_1116756</a></p> <p>Parliament sounds by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXlqQUAj3KM">AusQuestionTime</a></p> <p>Protest by <a href="https://freesound.org/people/dnlburnett/sounds/360758/">dnlburnett</a></p> <p>Rally clap by <a href="https://freesound.org/people/mw_1984/sounds/37813/">mw_1984</a></p> <p><em>Correction: An earlier version of this story featured the wrong picture as its lead image. The error was made in the production process. The Conversation apologises for the mistake, and thanks readers who brought it to our attention.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/95211/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <p class="fine-print"><em><span>Billy Griffiths does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>