The Social Archaeology of Australian Indigenous Societies

Description

This book presents original and provocative views on the complex and dynamic social lives of Indigenous Australians from an historical perspective. Building on the foundational work of Harry Lourandos, the book critically examines and challenges traditional approaches which have presented Indigenous Australian pasts as static and tethered to ecological rationalism.The book reveals the ancient past of Aboriginal Australians to be one of long-term changes in social relationships and traditions, as well as the active management and manipulation of the environment. It encourages a deeper appreciation of the ways Aboriginal peoples have engaged with, and constructed their worlds. It solicits a deeper understanding of the contemporary political and social context of research and the insidious impacts of colonialist philosophies. In short, it concerns people: both past and present. Ultimately, The Social Archaeology of Australian Indigenous Societies looks beyond the stereotype of Aboriginal peoples as hunter-gatherers' and charts new and challenging agendas for Australian Aboriginal archaeology.

Bruno David is a QEII Fellow at Monash University. Bryce Barker is a senior lecturer in anthropology at the University of Southern Queensland. Ian J. McNiven is a senior lecturer and, with Bruno David, the codirector of the program for Australian Indigenous Archaeology atMonash University."

"Insightful, interesting and at times provocative. This is a key text for understanding the development of Australian archaeology." Clair Smith, president, World Archaeological Congress"