Voyages of Discovery: The Archaeology of Islands

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Synthesizes the major issues in island archaeological research including human impacts on island ecosystems, island colonization, exchange systems, and theoretical and methodological concerns Over the past few decades there has been an increased interest in the archaeology of islands. Archaeological approaches to studying islands and island societies have often mirrored those of biologists because islands are relatively isolated, contain unique species or remnant populations, have an impoverished terrestrial ecology, provide opportunities to investigate the effects of animals (e.g., humans) on ecosystems, lend themselves to manipulative experiments, and have implications for helping us understand environmental and social changes on a global level from a "microcosmic" view." Although islands can be considered somewhat unique compared to mainland environments, environmental and cultural factors played important roles in how islands and islanders developed over time. The field of island archaeology contributes to understanding the fluid boundaries (both physical and mental) that existed for islanders prehistorically and how they adapted to their island world. This book explores a wide range of issues including the impacts humans have had on island ecosystems, the intentional movement of goods, resources, and animals across vast distances, and ways in which archaeologists analyze islands and island societies methodologically and theoretically. First major attempt at bringing together papers dedicated to the archaeology of islands Addresses island archaeology, a major new sub-discipline of anthropology Issues explored in island archaeology help understand how humans developed in semi- or complete isolation Includes a contribution by Colin Renfrew, a leading archaeologist

Reviews

[A] few simple but powerful models drive much research in this field....[i]nsularity is a mutable concept; as much of the mind as of community and economy.-Times Literary Supplement
This book makes a major contribution towards contextualising the archaeology of islands within a global frame of reference, as it brings together some of the leading thinkers involved in the island archaeology debate and demonstrates the relevance of different approaches. It also shows that island archaeology has become a well-established subject in its own right, by accommodating the growing variety of ways in which the island can be conceptualised. We believe that this book goes a long way towards showing how the world island research community has recognised this diversity and is developing increasingly effective ways of approaching it.-Papers from the Institute of Archaeology
This superb collection is a cogent statement of much current thinking on the subject that should find its way into university libraries worldwide, and hopefully some of those on islands. Maybe one day it will stimulate islanders' interest in the archeology of their homelands.-Island Studies Journal
This thought-provoking volume on a relevant field of anthropological research can be recommended to maritime archaeologists.-International Journal of Nautical Archaeology
Voyages of Discovery: The Archaeology of Islands is by no means comprehensive; it is in every way engaging and a step in the right direction. Should your conceptual framework be in desperate need of enlargement, then this is the book for you. If there is bad news in Fitzpatrick's tome, it is this; you must make room in your already crowded shelf for this volume.-International Journal of Maritime History
"This superb collection is a cogent statement of much current thinking on the subject that should find its way into university libraries worldwide, and hopefully some of those on islands. Maybe one day it will stimulate islanders' interest in the archeology of their homelands."-Island Studies Journal
"A few simple but powerful models drive much research in this field....insularity is a mutable concept; as much of the mind as of community and economy."-Times Literary Supplement
"[A] few simple but powerful models drive much research in this field....[i]nsularity is a mutable concept; as much of the mind as of community and economy."-Times Literary Supplement
"This thought-provoking volume on a relevant field of anthropological research can be recommended to maritime archaeologists."-International Journal of Nautical Archaeology
"Voyages of Discovery: The Archaeology of Islands is by no means comprehensive; it is in every way engaging and a step in the right direction. Should your conceptual framework be in desperate need of enlargement, then this is the book for you. If there is bad news in Fitzpatrick's tome, it is this; you must make room in your already crowded shelf for this volume."-International Journal of Maritime History
"This book makes a major contribution towards contextualising the archaeology of islands within a global frame of reference, as it brings together some of the leading thinkers involved in the island archaeology debate and demonstrates the relevance of different approaches. It also shows that island archaeology has become a well-established subject in its own right, by accommodating the growing variety of ways in which the island can be conceptualised. We believe that this book goes a long way towards showing how the world island research community has recognised this diversity and is developing increasingly effective ways of approaching it."-Papers from the Institute of Archaeology

Author Bio

SCOTT M. FITZPATRICK received his PhD in Anthropology from the University of Oregon. He has conducted fieldwork and research in the Pacific, Caribbean, and East Asia. He has published recent articles in Antiquity, Archaeology in Oceania, Journal of Archaeological Science, Journal of Ethnobiology, and Radiocarbon.