The John Mulvaney Book Award
The John Mulvaney Book Award was established in honour of John Mulvaney and his contribution and commitment to Australian archaeology over a lifetime of professional service. It was created to acknowledge the significant contribution of individual or coauthored publications to Australian archaeology, either as general knowledge or as specialist publications. Nominations are considered annually for books that cover both academic pursuits and public interest reflecting the philosophy of John Mulvaney's life work. Established in 2004, previous winners include Val Attenbrow for Sydney's Aboriginal Past (2004), Rodney Harrison for Shared Landscapes: Archaeologies of Attachment and the Pastoral Industry in New South Wales (2006) and Mike Morwood and Penny van Oosterzee for The Discovery of the Hobbit: The Scientific Breakthrough that Changed the Face of Human History (2007).
| Year | Awardee | Book Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Mike Morwood and Penny van Oosterzee |
The Discovery of the Hobbit: The Scientific Breakthrough that Changed the Face of Human History |
| 2006 | Rodney Harrison | Shared Landscapes: Archaeologies of Attachment and the Pastoral Industry in New South Wales |
| 2004 | Val Attenbrow |
Sydney's Aboriginal Past |
Call for Nominations
Nominations must be for books written by one or more authors, but not for edited books, published in the last 3 calendar years (i.e. 2006, 2007 or 2008). The nomination must be accompanied by at least 2 published book reviews. A short citation (no more than one page) on why the book should be considered must also be included.
All nominations will be considered by the Executive of the Australian Archaeological Association Inc. with advice as appropriate from senior members of the discipline. The decision of the Executive is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Nominations should be received no later than 31 August addressed to the President:
President
Australian Archaeological Association Inc.
School of Geography & Environmental Science
Building 11
Monash University
Clayton VIC 3800
The recipient will be announced at the Australian Archaeological Association Inc. Annual Conference.
Morwood, Mike and Penny van Oosterzee 2007 The Discovery of the Hobbit: The Scientific Breakthrough that Changed the Face of Human History. Milsons Point: Random House.
The 2007 John Mulvaney Book Award is presented to Mike Morwood and Penny van Oosterzee’s The Discovery of the Hobbit: The Scientifi c Breakthrough that Changed the Face of Human History.
The book provides a valuable insight into the thoughts and experiences which lead to the discovery of a new species of human, Homo floresiensis, at the site of Liang Bua in Flores, Indonesia. The book exposes Mike’s contribution and commitment to archaeology and his passion for discovering ‘the first Australians’. It is written in a style that is approachable and easy to read yet is still able to convey the science behind the discovery. The book is also appealing to academics from many different disciplines and has been able to transcend academia’s often rigid disciplinary boundaries. It is rare that a published work in archaeology generates such a diverse range of interest.
The popularity of The Discovery of the Hobbit has provided a great service to Australian archaeology by increasing the public’s awareness of, and interest in, archaeology.
Harrison, Rodney 2004 Shared Landscapes: Archaeologies of Attachment and the Pastoral Industry in New South Wales. Sydney: Department of Environment & Conservation NSW and UNSW Press.
Rodney’s book investigates the history, archaeology and issues of cultural heritage management of pastoralism on two substantial regional case studies, East Kunderang Pastoral Station, now within the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park near Kempsey, and Dennawan Aboriginal reserve, within the Culgoa National Park, near Goodooga both in NSW. His book entwines the studies of archaeology and heritage conservation through the lens of shared Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal pastoral activities.
This well-presented book derives from a well organised collaborative research project which provides an understanding of both archaeological and historical aspects of these landscapes. Additionally, the book also contributes to debates about the current state of heritage interpretation and heritage in New South Wales.
Shared Landscapes also contributes to studies of culture contact, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous archaeologies. The notion of Shared Landscapes is used to explore the relationship Indigenous people had with the pastoral industry—an issue of relevance even today.
Shared Landscapes represents a recent and important area of research. It will be valuable for professionals in the heritage sector, academic researchers, indigenous people, students, and the public.
Review in Australian Archaeology
Val Attenbrow 2004 Sydney's Aboriginal Past
Review in Australian Archaeology