Archaeologies of Food in Australia

Twenty-first century Australia is obsessed with food. From cookbooks to television, we’re surrounded by conversations about what and how we eat. This fixation highlights that food has always been central to human culture – especially in diverse nations like Australia.

Recently, contemporary food focus has looked to the past for health and sustainability answers. Australian historians have contributed extensively to these discussions, but archaeologists have provided surprisingly little input. This is particularly surprising considering that much of what archaeologists excavate – faunal remains, ceramics, cesspits – tells food culture stories when considered collectively.

This book spans diverse cultural groups, including First Nations peoples, European migrants and Chinese diaspora communities, examining evidence across millennia.

Archaeologies of Food in Australia
Editor: Madeline Shanahan
Publisher: Sydney University Press
ISBN: 9781761540493
Publication date: 1 November 2025
Rights held for book: World rights
Access: Open access
Email for rights contact: naomi.vangroll@sydney.edu.au
Catalogue URL: Archaeologies of Food in Australia – Sydney University Press

Category: Think Australian Title Preview