Visions from the Past : The Archaeology of Australian Aboriginal Art

A comprehensive introduction to Australian Aboriginal rock art by a recognized authority in the field. The island continent of Australia contains the largest continuous account of human artistic expression. The latest findings on the antiquity of Aboriginal art continue to make front-page news as claims and counterclaims attract international attention. This survey of ancient Aboriginal art explores what we know now, how we know, and why it is important. There are many books dealing with Australian Aboriginal archaeology and art - particularly rock art - but this text also provides an overview of the problems and the methods of approach used in the study of this art. The purpose of the book is to provide a starting point - in a lively style suitable for the general reader. "Visions from the Past" tells the story of how the study of ancient art is undertaken. It also provides information on Australian Aboriginal art systems, how this art has changed over time, the history of research, the impact of new dating technologies and analytical techniques, and how understanding the art has contributed to our knowledge of Australia's immense prehistory. Aboriginal rock art: a vast gallery, the work of 1500 generations. The island continent of Australia contains the largest continuous record of human artistic expression in history. Here is a beautifully illustrated and comprehensive introduction to this ancient art and its archaeology from Mike Morwood, an experienced and respected authority. A vast art gallery - the work of 1500 generations. Across an island continent - on flat slabs overlooking the sea, on desert boulders, under rock overhangs, on the sheer face of deep ravines - the first Australians painted and carved what mattered to them. Here are stories of the birth of the world and the creation of ancestral humans, of the creatures who made the landscape and gave humans their laws, of the animals who shared these peoples' world, of contact with seafaring races from the north, and of fateful meetings with European arrivals. Here is art that reaches back towards the beginning of art, a record of communities of immense antiquity. Some sites present the art of recent times alongside or overlapping with art many thousands of years old. In other places the record has been broken in the distant past. How do we read these stories? How can this art yield up some of its meanings to strangers? How do we learn to appreciate the richness of this ancient legacy? Mike Morwood, archaeologist and teacher, draws upon many years' experience, comparisons with rock art across the world, and a deep understanding of the present-day custodians of this vast treasure to provide a key to the world's oldest and most remarkable art gallery. Visions from the Past tells the exciting story of how the study of rock art is undertaken, providing information on its systems of meaning and changes over time, and revealing how an understanding of these ancient forms contributes to our knowledge of Australia's immense prehistory. An excellent introduction, comprehensive, superbly illustrated and emphasising the chronological depth and regional variation of this artistic heritage. An authoritative, clearly documented case for treating Australia as the rock art capital of the world. John Mulvaney. A definitive text, insightful, informative, always interesting. Claire Smith, Flinders University, Adelaide. A vast art gallery - the work of 1500 generations.

Across an island continent - on flat slabs overlooking the sea, on desert boulders, under rock overhangs, on the sheer face of deep ravines - the first Australians painted and carved what mattered to them.

Here are stories of the birth of the world and the creation of ancestral humans, of the creatures who made the landscape and gave humans their laws, of the animals who shared these peoples' world, of contact with seafaring races from the north, and of fateful meetings with European arrivals.

Here is art that reaches back towards the beginning of art, a record of communities of immense antiquity. Some sites present the art of recent times alongside or overlapping with art many thousands of years old. In other places the record has been broken in the distant past.

How do we read these stories? How can this art yield up some of its meanings to strangers? How do we learn to appreciate the richness of this ancient legacy?

Mike Morwood, archaeologist and teacher, draws upon many years' experience, comparisons with rock art across the world, and a deep understanding of the present-day custodians of this vast treasure to provide a key to the world's oldest and most remarkable art gallery. Visions from the Past tells the exciting story of how the study of rock art is undertaken, providing information on its systems of meaning and changes over time, and revealing how an understanding of these ancient forms contributes to our knowledge of Australia's immense prehistory.

An excellent introduction, comprehensive, superbly illustrated and emphasising the chronological depth and regional variation of this artistic heritage. An authoritative, clearly documented case for treating Australia as the rock art capital of the world. John Mulvaney.

A definitive text, insightful, informative, always interesting. Claire Smith, Flinders University, Adelaide. Visions From The Past Is A Clear And Comprehensive Examination Of Aboriginal Rock Art. It Is Also The First Book To Provide A Practical Overview Of Precisely How And Why Archaeologists Study Prehistoric Art. M.j. Morwood Reviews The Techniques, Methodologies, And Technologies That Scientists Employ And Explains Why Their Insights Often Cannot Be Gained Through Other Types Of Archaeological Evidence. The Symbolic Evidence Found In Rock Art Is Virtually The Only Window Into Understanding The Ideology, Territoriality, Resource Use, And Social Organization Of An Ancient Society. More Than 250 Illustrations Complement Morwood's In-depth Analyses And Reveal The Beauty And Richness Of Ancient Aboriginal Culture.--jacket. 1. Aboriginal Archaeology In Context -- 2. Australian Aboriginal Rock Art -- 3. Australian Rock Art Research -- 4. How We Study Australian Aboriginal Rock Art -- 5. A Question Of Time: Dating Australian Rock Art -- 6. Subject Analyses -- 7. Structural Analyses -- 8. Central Queensland Highlands -- 9. North Queensland Highlands -- 10. Southeast Cape York Peninsula -- 11. A Future For The Past: Conservation Of Rock Art. M.j. Morwood ; Illustrations By D.r. Hobbs. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 324-339) And Index. The continent of Australia houses the world's largest gallery of rock art. These anticent artworks tell of the birth of the world, of the creatures who made the landscape and gave humans their laws, of contact with seafaring races from the north, and of fateful meetings with European arrivals. How do archaeologists read and interpret these artworks in order to better understand the people and societies that created them? Visions from the Past is a clear and comprehensive examination of Aboriginal rock art. It also provides a practical overview of precisely how and why archaeologists study prehistoric art. M.J. Morwood reviews the techniques, methodologies, and technologies that scientists employ and explains why their insights often cannot be gained through other types of archaeological evidence. The symbolic evidence found in rock art is virtually the only window into understanding the ideology, territoriality, resource use, and social organization of an ancient society. "Visions from the Past is a clear and comprehensive examination of Aboriginal rock art. It is also the first book to provide a practical overview of precisely how and why archaeologists study prehistoric art. M. J. Morwood reviews the techniques, methodologies, and technologies that scientists employ and explains why their insights often cannot be gained through other types of archaeological evidence. The symbolic evidence found in rock art is virtually the only window into understanding the ideology, territoriality, resource use, and social organization of an ancient society." "More than 250 illustrations complement Morwood's in-depth analyses and reveal the beauty and richness of ancient Aboriginal culture."--BOOK JACKET.