| Norris, R.P., & Norris, P.M., 2009, "Emu Dreaming: An Introduction to Australian Aboriginal Astronomy", privately published. |
30-page booklet giving an introduction to what we know about Aboriginal Astronomy, and the current state of research into this area.. Recommended for the non-specialist. |
| Norris, R.P., 2008b, "Star Dreaming in Arnhem Land", Cosmos, April/May 2008. |
Travelogue focussing on Aboriginal Astronomy in Arnhem Land. Recommended for the non-specialist. |
| Norris, R.P., 2008a, "In search of Aboriginal Astronomy" in Australian Sky & Telescope, March/April issue, 2008. |
This short article gives an up-to-date summary of much that has been found since the older references below. |
Norris, R.P., 2008c,
"Emu Dreaming", in Australasian Science, Vol 29, No. 4 (May 2008) |
Popular article focussing on the Aboriginal Astronomy of the Sydney Rock Engravings and the motivation for this project. |
| Norris, R.P., 2007, "Searching for the Astronomy of Aboriginal Australians" in Astronomy & Cosmology in Folk Traditions and Cultural Heritage, ed. Jonas Vaiskunas |
A specialist conference proceedings that goes into a little more detail than the popular articles above, with references. |
| Haynes,
R.F., Haynes, R.D., Malin, D., McGee, R.X., 1996, “Explorers
of the Southern Sky”, CUP. (reproduced here by kind permission
of Ros Haynes) |
As
a broad introduction to Aboriginal astronomy, I would recommend the
chapter on Aboriginal Astronomy in Explorers
of the Southern Sky |
| Cairns,
H., & Yidumduma Harney, B., “Dark Sparklers”, 2003.
Privately published by Hugh Cairns. Also second edition publ. 2004. See http://www.darksparklers.com/ for details. |
Detailed exploration of the astronomical lore of the Wardaman people.
Probably the most detailed study we have of any Aboriginal astronomical
culture, primarily concentrating on the symbolism and cosmology. Written
in a provocative style, with fantastic illustrations by Sam Wortelhock. |
| Johnson,
D. (1998). “Night skies of Aboriginal Australia : a Noctuary”.
Sydney, N.S.W., University of Sydney. |
A scholarly but fascinating account of the way
that the sky is represented in Aboriginal art and story. |
| "Nomads
of the Australian Desert", by Charles Mountford. |
A
dated but riveting account is given in this classic work. This
book is hard to find because it was at one point banned from sale, but
is still available in some major libraries, and occasionally on eBay. |
| Isaacs,
J. (1980). Australian Dreaming : 40,000 years of aboriginal history.
Sydney, Lansdowne Press. |
I'd recommend this if
you want to read more generally about Aboriginal cultures. It's a popular (but impressive) coffee-table book about indigenous cultures,
and includes a chapter on astronomy. It's rather dated now, but still
full of valuable material. It can be found remaindered in many bookshops
or on eBay. |
| Lonely
Planet Guide to Aboriginal Australia & the Torres Strait Islands. |
I'd recommend this if you're really short of time and want a quick potted
account of the history, controversies, and current issues facing Indigenous
Australians. |
| Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/ |
OK, I know this isn't a book, but there's so much good stuff there! Try "Indigenous Australians",
"Australian Aboriginal Culture", and
"Australian Aboriginal Astronomy". |
