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Port Essington

The Historical Archaeology of a North Australian Nineteenth-Century Military Outpost
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Port Essington by Professor Jim Allen delves into the historical and archaeological study of a 19th-century British settlement in Australia. The book examines the ambitions and challenges faced by settlers, exploring the socio-political and cultural dynamics of the time. Through in-depth research, it uncovers the complex interactions between Indigenous populations and European colonists.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$5499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're fascinated by Australia's colonial history and the intricacies of military settlements. Professor Jim Allen delves into the challenges and stories surrounding a significant 19th-century British colony, offering a compelling narrative for history enthusiasts interested in the lesser-known aspects of exploration and settlement.

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Port Essington

By looking at both the material evidence produced by archaeological excavation and the written sources, Allen sought to integrate both sorts of evidence to produce an eclectic history that was neither social nor political nor economic in its primary emphasis, but combined all three.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In 1966, Jim Allen undertook the first professional excavation of a European site in Australia. The 1840s military settlement of Victoria was established at Port Essington, the northernmost part of the Northern Territory, and served as the endpoint of Ludwig Leichhardt's epic journey in 1844-45.

This settlement was the longest-lived of three failed attempts by the British to establish a settlement on the northern coast of Australia before 1850. Its history reflects many of the dominant themes of wider colonial history: isolation, tropical disease, poorly equipped and inexperienced colonists, inept government bureaucracies, and relations with the Indigenous population.

Series: Studies in Australasian Historical Archaeology

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Port Essington is praised for its pioneering examination of culture contact and Aboriginal history, exploring the archaeological evidence at the site across different eras. The book is noted for its expert integration of archaeological and historical sources, distinctly structuring these into separate sections. It is considered essential for historical archaeologists focusing on Australia’s Top End and for those interested in the region's European settlement history.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781920898878

Publisher: Sydney University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 June 2008

Country: Australia

Imprint: Sydney University Press

Illustration: 118 b&w ill., 95 tables

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 9.0mm

Width: 210.0mm

Height: 297.0mm

Weight: 445g

Pages: 134

About the Author

Jim Allen is professor emeritus of archaeology at La Trobe University.

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