Book Launch: Archaeologies of Food in Australia

Sydney University Press cordially invites you to the official launch of Archaeologies of Food in Australia.

WHEN

Thursday 06 November 5:45 –7:45pm AEST

WHERE

Fisher Seminar Room (218), level 2

Fisher Library F03, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006

ABOUT THE BOOK

Twenty-first century Australia is a nation somewhat obsessed with food. From cookbooks to television screens, we are surrounded by conversations about what and how we eat. This fixation highlights the fact that food is, and always has been, a central component of human culture – especially in a diverse nation like Australia.

In recent years, this contemporary food focus has increasingly looked to the past for answers relating to health and sustainable practices. While historians in Australia have contributed extensively to these discussions, there has been surprisingly little input from archaeologists. This is even more surprising when we consider that so much of what archaeologists excavate – such as faunal remains, ceramics and cesspits – can collectively tell the story of food culture when drawn together and considered as a whole.

To open up this dialogue, Archaeologies of Food in Australia addresses the archaeology of food from deep time to the recent past. It showcases the many varied approaches to the study of food in Australia, from the archaeological sciences (such as zooarchaeology and archaeobotanical analysis) through to discussions of historic kitchens and cookery.

Archaeologies of Food in Australia spans diverse cultural groups, including First Nations peoples, European migrants and Chinese diaspora communities, and examines evidence across millennia. Contributors demonstrate the breadth and richness of archaeological food research currently undertaken in Australia, and in doing so, they address critical questions about diet, cookery, dining and food culture.

Books will be available for sale at the launch or purchase your copy at https://sydneyuniversitypress.com/products/9781761540493