Description
Dark Emu challenges the familiar colonial narrative that Indigenous Australians lived only by hunting and gathering, arguing instead—through historical records and archaeological evidence—that complex, settled societies thrived across the continent. In a sweeping, accessible investigation, it traces how farming, aquaculture, engineering, and sophisticated land management shaped everyday life long before European arrival. The book invites readers to reconsider what counts as “civilization,” foregrounding themes of knowledge, stewardship, and the politics of historical interpretation. With Bruce Pascoe’s investigative, evidence-driven style, it reads like a corrective to the record—one that is as provocative as it is illuminating.
Available Editions
paperback
Unknown
Published Jan 1, 2014
paperback
Unknown
Published Jan 1, 2014
Reviews
1 rating
Community Reviews(1)
really well informed take on aboriginal history with enlightening topics i, as an american, have never remotely heard of; some of which were deeply shocking sections in the livestock section. i was able to draw lots of parallels on other nations and peoples like palestine, first nations and native americans, and the mermaids of jeju. the author did a lot of grandstanding and circled back to hammer in platitudes which felt a bit like a research paper, but if you read this over the course of a month+ that would have been harmless.
Details
First Published
2014
Language
eng
Content Warnings
Content and trigger warnings for Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe.