First Footprints: The Epic Story of the First Australians

by Scott Cane

First Footprints tells the epic story of Australia's Aboriginal people. It is a story of ancient life on the driest continent on earth through the greatest environmental changes experienced in human history: ice ages, extreme drought and inundating seas. It is chronicled through astonishing archaeological discoveries, ancient oral histories and the largest and oldest art galleries on earth. Australia's first inhabitants were the first people to believe in an afterlife, cremate their dead, engrave representations of the human face, and depict human sound and emotion. They created new technologies, designed ornamentation, engaged in trade, and crafted the earliest documents of war. Ultimately, they developed a sustainable society based on shared religious tradition and far-reaching social networks across the length and breadth of Australia.

Genres: Australia, History, Indigenous, Prehistory, Nonfiction, Archaeology

328 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2013

Reviews

[Brian Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where other accounts of Australian Aboriginal history seem to describe timeless realities, Cane shows the drama of evolution, with daring explorations, innovative leaps in culture and technology, and difficult adaptions to massive environmental shifts, such as the enormous rise of seas following the last ice age.

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has been through the Australian school system, I always felt like there was a gaping hole in the history we were taught at school. It seemed like the attitude of the curriculum towards Australian history was to go into much (likely too much) detail of the last 200 years, and then mention "oh and there was 60 000 years+ before that where the original Australians lived here… Dreaming... semi-nomadic lifestyle… Rainbow Serpent…".
This book was such a relief to read, as it put everything into perspective for me. How I wish the Australian school system would teach Australian history like this, rather than being so biased towards the historic era (with a decidedly European perspective to it too). It was particularly fascinating to hear of the megafauna and the Ice Ages, and how the original people responded to climatic change, as well as how it became recorded through their legends and oral traditions.

Thoroughly recommend! (I also recommend reading this in conjunction with Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe, which provides compelling evidence for agricultural technology (granaries!) and permanent settlements used by Aboriginal people across Australia. In doing so, he challenges the view of the original Australians pre-European colonisation (i.e. nomadic hunter-gatherers) that most of us would have.

[Abraham Tsoukalidis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great account http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.... of the grandeur of human http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aborig... history in the temperata antipodum nobis incognita.
"First Footprints tells the epic story of Australia's Aboriginal people. It is a story of ancient life on the driest continent on earth through the greatest environmental changes experienced in human history: ice ages, extreme drought and inundating seas. It is chronicled through astonishing archaeological discoveries, ancient oral histories and the largest and oldest art galleries on earth. Australia's first inhabitants were the first people to believe in an afterlife, cremate their dead, engrave representations of the human face, and depict human sound and emotion. They created new technologies, designed ornamentation, engaged in trade, and crafted the earliest documents of war. Ultimately, they developed a sustainable society based on shared religious tradition and far-reaching social networks across the length and breadth of Australia."
"Great history repeats itself, the processes of endurance, resilience and adaptability continue as of ol: recolonization of ancestral country continues apace."

[Cecilia Moar · Rating 4 out of 5]

An illuminating and inspiring book. SC is a gifted investigator and is able to share the results of his research and lived experience effectively. As a result of SC's research informing the ABC television series and now, book, we can be understand the depth and complexity of the First Australians society and wise system of land management.

[Jennifer Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye opening study of the Australian past. Incredible to consider the changes to land and environment that indigenous people lived through and so interesting to look further back than the arrival of white people.

[Ann Tonks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't see the TV series which this book is connected to and sometimes it felt as if the writing was sitting between a history writer and a journalist. But putting that quibble to one side, this is an informative and important book about the indigenous settlement of Australia.

[Alan Bevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this insight into the ancient history of the country in which I live.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome and even inspirational book.

[Ibrahim Uluca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A vivid account of the history of Australia’s First people. Found it really engrossing. Great book to start learning about the 75,000 year (plus) history of Aboriginal Australians.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible detail of the origin of the first 'owners' of Australia, the aborigines. Includes geography, geology, historical sea level influence on the continent, cultural knowledge and so much more. Having just spent time in Western Australia, this book was a fantastic tutorial. It easily held my attention and anyone visiting Australia should read it.

[P Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, not sure I go with the Mt Tobah hypothesis but whatever Scott pulls together the massive time frame of occupation. Now I understand why the Eora archaelogical record is dated as it is. The reality is different as he explains.

[Nobody]

I would have personally have liked less archeological data and more analysis

[Andre Hermanto · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good:
* Well researched.
* A lot of photos.

Bad:
* Boring: it feels as if at times the author dumps numbers or facts just to be done with them.
* Need a lot more maps.

[Shaazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book about what was like pre 1788 in Australia.