Australia's first naturalists : indigenous peoples' contribution to early zoology /

Australia's first naturalists : indigenous peoples' contribution to early zoology /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:	Olsen, Penny, 1949- author.
Imprint:	Canberra, ACT : NLA Publishing, 2019. ©2019
Description:	223 pages : illustrations (some colour), maps, portraits ; 23 cm
Language:	English
Subject:	Aboriginal Australians -- Ethnozoology. Traditional ecological knowledge -- Australia. Zoology -- Australia -- History. Traditional ecological knowledge. Zoology. Australia. History.
Format:	Print Book
URL for this record:	http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/11876531

Hidden Bibliographic Details
Other authors / contributors:	Russell, Lynette, author.
ISBN:	0642279373 9780642279378
Notes:	Multiple formats will be published. Prepublication record (machine generated from publisher information) Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
Summary:	Would Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson have ever crossed the Blue Mountains without the help of the local Aboriginal people? The invaluable role of local guides in this event is rarely recognised. As silent partners, Aboriginal Australians gave Europeans their first views of iconic animals, such as the Koala and Superb Lyrebird, and helped to unravel the mystery of the egg-laying mammals: the Echidna and Platypus. Well into the twentieth century, Indigenous people were routinely engaged by collectors, illustrators and others with an interest in Australia's animals. Yet this participation, if admitted at all, was generally ƯƯbarely acknowledged. However, when documented, it was clearly significant. Penny Olsen and Lynette Russell have gathered together Aboriginal peoples' contributions to demonstrate the crucial role they played in early Australian zoology. The writings of the early European naturalists clearly describe the valuable knowledge of the Indigenous people of the habits of Australia's bizarre (to a European) fauna. Australia's First Naturalists is invaluable for those wanting to learn more about our original inhabitants' contribution to the collection, recognition and classification of Australia's unique fauna. It heightens our appreciation of the previously unrecognised complex knowledge of Indigenous societies.

Description
Summary:	Would Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson have ever crossed the Blue Mountains without the help of the local Aboriginal people? The invaluable role of local guides in this event is rarely recognised. As silent partners, Aboriginal Australians gave Europeans their first views of iconic animals, such as the Koala and Superb Lyrebird, and helped to unravel the mystery of the egg-laying mammals: the Echidna and Platypus. Well into the twentieth century, Indigenous people were routinely engaged by collectors, illustrators and others with an interest in Australia's animals. Yet this participation, if admitted at all, was generally barely acknowledged. However, when documented, it was clearly significant. Penny Olsen and Lynette Russell have gathered together Aboriginal peoples' contributions to demonstrate the crucial role they played in early Australian zoology. The writings of the early European naturalists clearly describe the valuable knowledge of the Indigenous people of the habits of Australia's bizarre (to a European) fauna. Australia's First Naturalists is invaluable for those wanting to learn more about our original inhabitants' contribution to the collection, recognition and classification of Australia's unique fauna. It heightens our appreciation of the previously unrecognised complex knowledge of Indigenous societies.
Item Description:	Multiple formats will be published. Prepublication record (machine generated from publisher information)
Physical Description:	223 pages : illustrations (some colour), maps, portraits ; 23 cm
Bibliography:	Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
ISBN:	0642279373 9780642279378