The exploration and colonization of the Pacific is a remarkable episode in human prehistory. Early sea-going explorers had no knowledge of Pacific geography, no instruments for measuring time and none for exploration. Forty years of modern archaeology, experimental voyages in rafts, and computer simulations of voyages have produced an normous range of literature on this controversial subject. This book represents a major advance in knowledge of the settlement of the Pacific by suggesting that exploration was rapid, purposeful and undertaken systematically, and that navigation methods progressively improved.
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Editorial Reviews
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"Irwin's study is, quite simply, one of the best books written within the past ten years on the archaeology of the Pacific." Choice
"...written by an archaeologist and practising sailor, gives...the most convincing review of the navigational practicalities of the whole topic published to date." The Review of Archaeology
"...a crisp but fascinating style...efficient but readable." The Northern Mariner
"This is a book that needs to be read by anyone interested in islands and island colonization..." William F. Keegan, Asian Perspectives
"For those interested in the early colonization of the Pacific Islands, this is a useful book....this book should interest any student of the archaeology of Oceania. It is a book full of information useful for those studying the topic and region." Brian Chisholm, Pacific Affairs
"...written by an archaeologist and practising sailor, gives...the most convincing review of the navigational practicalities of the whole topic published to date." The Review of Archaeology
"...a crisp but fascinating style...efficient but readable." The Northern Mariner
"This is a book that needs to be read by anyone interested in islands and island colonization..." William F. Keegan, Asian Perspectives
"For those interested in the early colonization of the Pacific Islands, this is a useful book....this book should interest any student of the archaeology of Oceania. It is a book full of information useful for those studying the topic and region." Brian Chisholm, Pacific Affairs
Book Description
Forty years of modern archaeology, experimental voyages in rafts and computer simulations have produced an enormous range of literature on the controversial subject of the exploration and colonization of the Pacific. This book represents a major advance in knowledge of prehistoric settlement.
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating piece of global history,
This review is from: The Prehistoric Exploration and Colonisation of the Pacific (Paperback)
The Polynesian colonization of the islands of the Pacific during the last millenia or two was the outcome of a long period of systematic exploration. Irwin has shown how this was possible, grounding his argument on a thorough knowledge of the geography and prevailing winds of the area. Both the story he tells and the way he gets his results are fascinating. The book is not difficult to read, but demands a willingness to follow detailed technical arguments.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
The exploration of the vast Pacific Ocean and the settlement of its hundreds of remote islands were remarkable episodes in human prehistory. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New Zealand, West Polynesia, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Santa Cruz, Bismarck Archipelago, Southeast Asia, Southern Cooks, Pacific Ocean, South America, Remote Oceania, New Ireland, Greater Australia, Pacific Plate, North Island, Near Oceania, New Britain, Northern Cooks, Polynesian Triangle, Andrew Sharp, David Lewis, Louisiade Archipelago, Mau Piailug, Andesite Line, Rehu Moana New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
The exploration of the vast Pacific Ocean and the settlement of its hundreds of remote islands were remarkable episodes in human prehistory. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New Zealand, West Polynesia, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Santa Cruz, Bismarck Archipelago, Southeast Asia, Southern Cooks, Pacific Ocean, South America, Remote Oceania, New Ireland, Greater Australia, Pacific Plate, North Island, Near Oceania, New Britain, Northern Cooks, Polynesian Triangle, Andrew Sharp, David Lewis, Louisiade Archipelago, Mau Piailug, Andesite Line, Rehu Moana New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 15
books:
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33
books
cite this book:
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- Pacific Islands (Portrait of America) by Kathleen Thompson on page 92, and Back Matter
- The Pacific islanders (Peoples of the world series) by W. W Howells in Back Matter
- Archaeological Method and Theory (Archaeological Method & Theory) by Michael B. Schiffer in Back Matter
- The Pacific Islands by Douglas L. Oliver in Back Matter
- Advances in Archaeological Method and Theory: v. 3 by Michael B. Schiffer in Back Matter
See all 15 books this book cites
- Masons, Tricksters and Cartographers: Comparative Studies in the Sociology of Scientific and Indigenous Knowledge (Studies in the History of Science, Technology & Medicine) by David Turnbull on page 143, page 159, and Back Matter
- Performances by Greg Dening on page 213, and Back Matter
- Ships of Discovery and Exploration by Lincoln P. Paine on page 94, and Back Matter
- Eden in the East: The Drowned Continent of Southeast Asia by Stephen Oppenheimer in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Island at the End of the World: The Turbulent History of Easter Island by Steven Roger Fischer in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 33 books citing this book
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