Prehistory of Australia (Paperback)

by Derek John Mulvaney (Author), Johan Kamminga (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
John Mulvaney and Johan Kamminga take both chronological and regional approaches to describe 40,000 years of Australian Aboriginal cultures, languages, and practices. Discussing longstanding archaeological issues in light of recent discoveries, the authors address such topics as the timing of the first colonization, the mysterious extinction of many of the largest marsupials after the arrival of humans, and the interpretation of prehistoric rock art. Broad regional prehistories describe the emergence of toolmaking, the expansion of ceremonial exchanges, and the influence of Indonesian and Torres Strait islanders. The authors also address such contemporary issues as Aboriginal control over archaeological fieldwork and the repatriation of human remains.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian; New ed of 2 Revised ed edition (June 17, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560988045
• ISBN-13: 978-1560988045
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,209,439 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #75 in

  Books > Science > Archaeology > Prehistoric

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinary book. Concisely presented, well written., September 10, 1999

By A Customer

This book is written by two scientists who have played important roles in the rapidly developing subject of Australian prehistory. It is not simply a revision of the 1971 book - the picture archaeologists have of the prehistory of Australia has transformed in the past 30 years, and this book captures that exciting transformation. The archaeology of aboriginal occupancy of Australia is also a politically charged subject and the authors manage the difficult task of presenting this story with sensitivity. I think that the book is a fine example of how to present a mass of scientific evidence by weaving it into an engaging and moving story. The authors presentation of human response to the shifting Pleistocene and Holocene palaeoenvironment in Australia is excellent. The references are thorough and well organised and a useful glossary of archaeological, geological and biological terms is appended. The book concludes with three chapters on aboriginal rock art. Finally, the book is well formatted and easy on the eye. First rate - highly recommended to all literate Australians (given the wide ignorance of this important subject in our country) and to anyone with an interest in prehistory. I can't recommend it highly enough!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prehistory of Australia, March 12, 2000

By	Atheen M. Wilson "Atheen" (Mpls, MN United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This was an interesting introduction to Australian prehistory. I'd not come across a similar general text on the subject before this one, although I've read some of the data as passing references in other books on prehistory. Some of the discussion on the flint technology was a little slow-going because the differences in technique, stone sources, and styles among the various periods and regions were less apparent and less engrossing to me than they obviously are to the authors. In other respects the book is an excellant starting point for anyone with an interest in Austrilia or in prehistoric culture in general.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most thorough review of Australian prehistory available., January 26, 2005

By	Ms. S. Lawanyaporn (Sydney) - See all my reviews

The latest release of Kamminga and Mulvaney's book is a must for anyone interested in Australia's past. For decades, this book has represented the cutting-edge of knoweledge about Australian prehistory and the latest complete re-write fails to dissapoint.

This work covers all areas of Australian prehistory in a clear and concise manner, that makes is invaluable for students/academics and the interested 'armchair archaeologist' alike.