Bone and tooth tools and ornaments have been a significant part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures for over 46,000 years. Despite their historical and cultural significance, research in this area has largely focused on stone artefacts. However, Associate Professor Michelle C Langley aims to change that with the release of her new book, A Record in Bone: Exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bone and tooth objects.
A Record in Bone brings together over a century's worth of scattered research and findings, shedding light on the innovative bone, tooth, quill, and claw industries of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The book explores the extensive use of ornamentation, the central role of bone points and hooks in fishing practices for thousands of years, and much more.
This volume is a companion to Simon Holdaway and Nicole Stern's work, A Record in Stone: The Study of Australia's Flaked Stone Artefacts. It is a comprehensive reference text for professionals and students in the fields of archaeology, anthropology, Indigenous studies, and museum studies. However, it also serves as an accessible introduction for anyone interested in Australia's past and the material culture and technology of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Associate Professor Michelle C Langley is an esteemed archaeologist at Griffith University's Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution. Her expertise lies in the use of bone, antler, ivory, tooth, and shell in creating tools and ornaments across different cultures. With a passion for human cognitive evolution and the understanding of children's behaviour in archaeological contexts, Langley has been published in various specialist and academic journals, including Nature Communications, Antiquity, Quaternary Science Reviews, and the Journal of Human Evolution. She has also contributed to popular media outlets such as National Geographic, New Scientist, Archaeology Magazine, NITV, SBS, and ABC.
Langley's contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed. She was the recipient of the 2018 Queensland Young Tall Poppy Science Award and was a finalist in the Women in Technology Research Leaders in Science 2021. Her extensive knowledge and dedication have earned her the honour of being a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
To secure your copy of A Record in Bone, place your order today and expect shipment shortly after the release date of 1 October 2023. This book is a must-have for researchers, students, and anyone interested in delving into the rich material culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Production details
Paperback (section sewn)
175mm x 240mm
272 pp + 4 pp cover (includes 49 illustrations, including 8 colour pages)
Released 1 October 2023
ISBN 9780855751289 (pb); 978 0 85575 146 3 (epub); 978 0 85575 142 5 (pdf)
RRP $54.95 (print); RRP $26.99 (ebook)
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