Shutler R. Jr., Shutler M.E. Oceanic prehistory

Cummings Publishing Company, 1975. — 125 p. — (Cummings Modular Program in Anthropology). — ISBN: 0-8465-1938-0.This book provides a review of major topics on what is currently known of the prehistory of the Pacific Islands and Australia. The course of cultural development in prehistoric Oceania is traced from its beginnings on mainland Southeast Asia, thousands of years ago during the Pleistocene (Ice Age), eastward through Island Southeast Asia to Australia which was occupied over 30,000 years ago, and to New Guinea which was settled by at least 26,000 years ago.
This is followed by a discussion of the complex nature of the occupation of Island Melanesia (perhaps as early as 10,000 years ago), and Polynesia and Micronesia, both areas which appear to have been occupied within the past 4000 years.
Dealing with an area of 3,000,000 square miles, containing some 25,000 islands, it would be expected that a very irregular and complex pattern of settlement occurred. This is indeed the case, and it is a tribute to mankind's courage and ingenuity that all the islands in the Pacific were visited by man in prehistoric times. Many of these islands were settled permanently, some more than once by migrating groups in their oceangoing canoes.
Oceanic Prehistory will be of interest to the professional anthropologist and to students enrolled in courses on Oceanic cultures, Oceanic prehistory, and general prehistory. It will also be helpful to the increasing number of tourists who visit the Pacific Islands and Australia. and to the laymen who have a specific interest in Oceania or a general interest in world prehistory.