This book places the Aboriginal occupation of Australia within a broad framework of human evolution and habitation. The author discusses the pioneering studies that delve into the mists of antiquity, and he engages with current controversies, including the extinction of mega fauna, land management practices, and social development over many millennia. The extraordinary achievements of Australian Aborigines are revealed in all their complexity and the evidence surrounding the identity of Australia's first occupants is re-examined. The discovery of the 'Hobbits' of the island of Flores show that proto-humans were edging towards the great southern continent; their capacity to cross the sea implies intelligence and organisation, but how far did their footsteps extend? This is just one of many challenging questions brought to life in this absorbing account of Australia's pre-contact history.
By:
Murray Johnson Imprint: Australian Scholarly Publishing Country of Publication: Australia ISBN:9781925003710 ISBN 10: 192500371X Publication Date:01 September 2014 Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
General/trade
,
Undergraduate
,
ELT Advanced
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active