ABORIGIAL AUSTRALIANA –

A Record in Stone is an ambitious and thoroughgoing investigation of the different ways in which archaeologists use flaked stone artefacts as a basis for reconstructing the distant human past.

The goal that authors Simon Holdaway and Nicola Stern set themselves is not simply to describe the range of flaked stone artefact forms recovered from Australian archaeological sites, but also to situate Australian studies in terms of the major international theoretical currents surrounding the description of stone artefacts.

Drawing on a wealth of archaeological literature, Holdaway and Stern introduce the reader to the essentials of flaked stone artefact manufacture and to key theoretical approaches to artefact analysis. Building on this introductory material, the authors then present an in-depth review of techniques used in the description and analysis of the three primary divisions of the stone artefact record: flakes, cores and tools.

The concluding chapters of A Record in Stone review existing typologies of Australian flaked stone artefacts and offer a cogent assessment of the historical development of archaeological investigation in this country.

A Record in Stone is intended to appeal to a broad readership. Beginning students of archaeology – and interested amateurs – will quickly master the basic description of flaked stone artefacts, aided by this volume’s breadth of coverage, clear and succinct definitions of technical terms, and extensive use of illustrations.

Archaeological professionals are offered an insightful synthesis of the theoretical debates in the often controversial area of stone artefact studies, and will appreciate the large number of illustrations and the extensive bibliography.

• xxiii, 376 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. + 1 computer optical disc (4 3/4 in.) #150925

• First Nations (AIATSIS) Subject:

  • Technology – Stone
  • Technology – Stone – Cores
  • Technology – Stone – Flakes

  Subject:

  • Stone implements — Australia
  • Aboriginal Australians — Antiquities
  • Aboriginal Australians — Implements

  (Ex-library copy with very acceptable usual markings.)