BOOK REVIEWS

Aboriginal Pathways in Southeast Queensland and the Richmond River. J. G. Steele. St. Lucia: University of Queensland Press, 1983. xix + 366 pp.

Reviewed by Matthew Spriggs, University ofHawaii

Despite its title, the book is an anecdotal for either event. To provide the context one ethnohistoric survey of the subtropical and might look at Raymond Evans, Kay Saunders, coastal area centered on what is now the city of and Kathryn Cronin's book Exclusion, Exploita­ Brisbane, stretching from Lismore in New tion and Extermination: Race Relations in Colonial South Wales north to the vicinity of Fraser Queensland (Australia and New Zealand Book Island. The book purports to describe Aborig­ Company, 1975). One will certainly gain a inallife at the time of earliest contact but use is fresh viewpoint on the material Steele provides! made of materials from first contact accounts This aside, as an anecdotal history Aborig­ to the memories of living Aboriginals and set­ inal Pathways is generally well written. It is tlers in the 1960s. Although Steele draws on clearly a product for local consumption and I ethnographic, historic, archaeological, and can't see it finding much of an audience else­ museum collection sources representing a where. I said earlier that it is a popular rather tremendous amount of research, the book is than an academic work because there is a lack not really an academic work. Nor does it claim of any sustained source criticism of the ethno­ to be. The aim is to deepen local residents' historic record, and also any theoretical frame­ knowledge and appreciation of Aboriginal his­ work of interpretation of the evidence. Details tory and past lifeways, but more importantly: of the varied environments and subsistence "to assist the white man towards a sympa­ practices of the region are given but as isolated thetic understanding of Aboriginal people, and facts that give no concept of how the system to help Aboriginals to know who they are and "worked"-how the different groups of where they came from, so that they may be Aborigines interacted and maintained them­ better able to play their full part in the selves through time. On the other hand, the Australia of today" (p. xviii). Laudable aims book is well-referenced for those who wish to no doubt but the book often appears to be delve further into the evidence. patronizing towards the Aborigines and the Little use is made of the archaeological find­ reasons for the massive dislocation of Aborig­ ings from the area apart from reports of Bora inal culture in the area are curiously absent. grounds (nearly a quarter of the book's many Hostile encounters between colonizers and illustrations are of these ceremonial circles). colonized are glossed over. We are told (p. More archaeological information was available 151) of one Aboriginal group becoming "a at the time of writing than Steele uses, but serious problem to the white settlers," and there has certainly been an explosion in archae­ earlier of a large settlement being torn down ological research in the area since the book was "by order of the Superintendant of Flocks at completed in 1981/1982. Archaeology only Grantham" (p. 148), but no context is given became a distinct discipline at Queensland Uni- 272 Asian Perspectives, xxvn(2), 1986-1987 versity in 1976 and its growth since that time terrible history of the area over the last 150 has been nothing short of amazing, so that by years and the consequent disappearance of the 1984 a new and substantial journal Queensland cultures he describes. We are given a five-page Archaeological Research could be launched. Its introduction, 21 chapters describing particular first issue contained no less than seven articles areas, and a chapter on museum collections of on Steele's study area. artifacts from the area, at which point the book The book is profusely illustrated (144 just stops. Clearly an academic synthesis of the figures) with many valuable nineteenth century ethnohistory of this area still remains to be photographs as well as the author's own written, although it will draw on many of the photographs of various sites. Some of the latter same sources that Steele references. As the book are a bit amateurish, with scale and prominent lacks a conclusion perhaps we can add a post­ points of interest marked by sheets of paper, script to it from the nineteenth century mus­ notebooks, and a straw hat! The three aerial ings of Donald Macdonald (quoted by Evans et photographs are ruined by the inking in of the al. fop. cit., p. 65]: features they are meant to show. One looks in We are indeed a civilizing race ... when we vain for a concluding chapter that will bring came here, the aborigines covered these wide together what the author has learned of the plains in thousands. Where are they today? region as a whole or perhaps comment on the We have "civilized" them-they are dead.

Archaeology in the Tonaachaw Historic District, Moen Island. Thomas F. King and Patricia L. Parker. Micronesian Archaeological Survey, Report No. 18, Occasional Paper No.3. xxxii + 541 pp., 6 plates, 200 figures, 200 tables, 2 maps. Softcover.

Reviewed by Ross Cordy, Department ofLand and Natural Resources, State ofHawaii

This volume is the report of 1977-1981 archae­ work and in 1981 Parker did the Iras and ological work done in Iras and Mechchitiw Mechchitiw sewer lateral archaeological work. villages on Moen Island in Truk Lagoon, The archaeology consisted of survey of most of Micronesia. Truk Lagoon is in the center of both villages, excavation, and construction Micronesia at 7°20'N, 151°40'Eand, along monitoring. Additionally, an unusual com­ with a number of outlying atolls, forms Truk ponent of this study was intensive social State. Truk State is one of the four states in the anthropological work, with Parker doing emerging nation of the Federated States of work toward her University of Pennsylvania Micronesia; the other states being Yap, Pohn­ Ph.D. in Iras from 1977 to 1979. pei (formerly Ponape) and Kosrae (formerly This monograph, a lengthy one with plenty Kusaie). ofdata, is another report ofthe Trust Territory Truk Lagoon contains a number of small Historic Preservation Office's Micronesian high islands. Moen, one of the largest (11.5 Archaeological Survey (MAS) program. The 2 km ), is the governmental center; it was a MAS Reports are this program's central pub­ focus of development about 1977-1982. Major lication series, but reports are being published expansion took place at the Truk Airport in elsewhere-at the Bishop Museum (Marshalls Iras Village, and sewer systems were con­ work), Pacific Studies Institute on Guam structed in Iras and the adjacent village of (Ulithi, Yap work), Southern Illinois Univer­ Mechchitiw. Archaeological work was re­ sity (Palau work), the University of Hawaii quired by U.S. historic preservation laws. (some Kosrae work), and the University of Between 1977 and 1979 King conducted the Otago (Kapingamarangi work). airport and Iras sewer main archaeological This Truk volume represents a major leap BOOK REVIEWS 273 forward in Trukese archaeology. It reports the Chapter 2 reviews prior archaeology in Truk first regional or settlement pattern project in and poses several research questions; chapters Truk, and this was by far the most substantial 14 and 15 are the interpretive chapters. project ever in Truk, involving months offield Chapter 14 postulates two primary tem­ work. This volume also closely joins ethno­ poral patterns. The Winas Pattern is repre­ graphic and archaeological perspectives. It sented by 500 B.C. to A.D. 500 coastal occupa­ represents a major expansion in research prob­ tions at southern Feefen and Coastal Iras. The lem analysis in Trukese archaeology, beyond Feefen sites, excavated by Shutler, Sinoto, and phase and origin concerns to political organiza­ Takayama in 1977, contained pottery and tion and subsistence studies. And very unique­ "pestle" pounders, while early Iras had but 1 ly, it provides summaries in Trukese, enabling Conus bracelet. The Tonaachaw Pattern con­ older residents of the Lagoon to learn of this sists of A.D. 1300-1900 occupations on the scientific research on their past. coast and in the interior. No pottery was pres­ It is impossible to briefly summarize the ent, and breadfruit processing artifacts were primary data in this volume. Suffice it to say common. Six Tonaachaw site types are pre­ that 14 archaeological sites were identified: a sented-various forms of coastal and interior large coastal site in Iras with scattered midden residential middens, interior cookhouses, and deposits and burials, a smaller coastal site in forts in the interior. All these site types were Mechchitiw, 9 small sites on the mountain of noted ethnographically except summit and Tonaachaw (7 small middens, 1 small earth ridge middens, and it is suggested this type and midden, and 1 platform), and 3 small sites on forts reflect prior intense warfare. Subsistence the bench above the Mechchitiw coastal site. practices closely match ethnographic practices. Nine of these sites were excavated, with con­ Interestingly, no deep water trolling is indi­ siderable excavations on the shore and with cated, rather exploitation of the near reef is. artifacts and midden recovered. Eleven dates Dispersed mortuary practices suggest numer­ were processed from 4 sites: 7 from the Iras ous kin group residences with their own burial coastal site, 2 from the midden on the Tonaa­ areas. chaw summit, and 1 each from the Mechchitiw Chapter 15 addresses several research ques­ coastal site and from the earth midden on tions. One is the gap of 1000 years between the Tonaachaw. The earliest of these dates ranged Winas and Tonaachaw patterns. The authors from 565 to 30 B.C. from Coastal Iras. The suggest the possibility of low archaeological bulk of the Coastal Iras deposits and the other visibility of sites due to a swidden focus with sites, however, post-dated the A.D. 1300s­ breadfruit intensification developing later. 1400s. However, the early Feefen pottery sites are fair­ The volume prov~des an excellent back­ ly visible archaeologically. It would seem more ground to the projects and to the environment, likely that the gap reflects limited regional sur­ oral history, and history of the two villages vey and associated excavation and dating in (Chaps. 1-6). It then presents artifact and Truk-a sampling factor. But, the scenario of faunal finds (Chaps. 7-9) with the historical early low population densities with root crops artifacts, such as bottles, unusually well treated important, possible interior land degradation from a functional standpoint (Chap. 8). The (the grasslands), population growth, and re­ faunal remains are also well covered, using sultant intensification of breadfruit production Trukese categories and noting use of the faunal and storage is an important one. A second species and their habitat. Here a major weak­ research question concerns the traditions of the ness is that the reader has to remember ERa powerful chiefs Sowukachaw and Sowuwoon­ means "environmental range of origin" and iiras and their·possible origin place. King and has to deal with the Trukese names for mol­ Parker point out that both Pohnpei and Kosrae luscs and environmental ranges throughout the may have supplied immigrants to Truk at least rest of the text. Site reports follow in Chapters in the A.D. 12oos-1500s. A third research ques­ 10-13. tion addresses Trukese social organization and The chapters of greatest interest for most its adaptive value. The authors dra'" on F. Pacific prehistorians will be 2, 14, and 15. Plog's recent discussions of power-based and 274 Asian Perspectives, xxvn(2), 1986-1987

resilient societies. Their discussion is an inter­ Trukese prehistory. It opens up a broad range esting one, but r believe it has some major of research questions. Now follow-up work is problems in relation to Kosrae, Pohnpei, Yap, needed. 'Truk Lagoon is still largely unstudied and the Marshalls. archaeologically. The high island of Wuuman Last, there is a section for those interested in (Uman) has had no studies, and Toon (Tol) World War II history and archaeology. and Feefen have only had limited work at a few In sum, this is a significant document for sites. Moen, too, still awaits much work.

Prehistoric Investigations in Northeastern Thailand. Charles Higham and Amphan Kijngam. Oxford: British Archaeological Records International Series 231 (i-iii), 1984. xx + 923 pp., 304 illustrations, 3 volumes. £45. Softcover.

Reviewed by Donn Bayard, University of Otago

Despite over twenty years of fairly intense Metha Wichakana on the Ban Na Di rim research in Thailand, definitive final reports sherds and Upper Songkhram site survey; supplying full data remain a rarity. To this date Philip Houghton and Warrachai Wiriyaromp we have only Sdrensen and van Heekeren's on the human skeletal remains; Payom Chan­ three volumes and a promise of more plus the taratiyakarn on the test excavation at Ban much more modest Pa Mong report. The Chiang Hian and the Middle Chi site survey; report under review is thus most welcome in a and Brian Vincent on petrographic analysis of still very underpopulated field and as well sets a pottery from Ban Na Di and related sites. record for speed of analysis and publication. Three appendixes provide full lists of radio­ The report is a massive one, almost 1000 pages, carbon dates from related sites, which are and reflects the involvement of over 50 work­ unfortunately marred by misprints (the Non ers ranging from specialists to undergraduates Nok Tha dates have some ten errors in a list of during the research and analysis period (1980­ 32); a summary of skeletal statistics; and, most 1984). It describes the results of surveys cover­ admirably, a very lengthy (16"10 of the total ing some 1500 km2 in northern and central text) summary of all major portions of the Northeast Thailand, as well as some 90 m2 of report in Thai, thus making it easily accessible excavation, most of it concentrated on the site to workers in the host nation. of Ban Na Di, some 20 km southwest of the Any report of this magnitude will have well-known site of Ban Chiang. both strong and weak parts, and I will begin Only somewhat over half of the text is by with the weaker aspects. The report contains a Higham and Kijngam, who describe the Ban fairly large number of internal inconsistencies, Na Di and associated test excavations; discuss occasionally on the same page (e.g., do water the material culture, burial pottery, mortuary buffalo appear at Ban Chiang Hian in layer 8 or practices, and faunal remains from the site; and layer 9 [po 584]?); however, only one of these give a lengthy final overview of the pro­ is of major importance (see below). gramme in its regional context, drawing chief­ Given the authors' intention to ensure that lyon Vietnamese parallels. These portions are "all relevant data are available to the scientific interspersed with specialist reports on jewelry, community" (p. 3), a number of omissions are aspects of metallurgy, rice remains, and so apparent. Some details on the main excavation forth. It is sometimes difficult to determine at Ban Na Di are missing; e.g., the area (which where such reports end and the authors' writ­ one must calculate from the map). More im­ ing resumes. More lengthy reports are also pre­ portantly, since the site was excavated by sented by Nigel Seeley and Warangkhana lO-cm spits within the natural layers, why is Rajpitak on the metal artifacts and metallurgy; no spit to layer correlation chart supplied? As BOOK REVIEWS 275

spit as well as layer numbers are provided for for 108 vessels (pp. 665-667). 1 must also cor­ the artifacts illustrated, it would be helpful to rect his statement that temper was not taken know from where in a layer a particular artifact into account in the Non Nok Tha vessel typol­ was recovered, particularly in the case of layer ogy (p. 650); it was (Bayard 1984:117). Hence 7 (ca. 1.3 m thick). Vincent's stated "type 1" in fact does not exist The analysis of nonburial potsherds from in the final typology, although morphological Ban Na Di is limited to rim sherds only; no Class 1 comprises some 11 types (Bayard 1984: data are given for body sherds, which an earlier 91), each with a characteristic temper as well as note in a regional newsletter (Higham and surface treatment. The confusion has apparent­ Amphan 1982) portrayed as comprising some ly arisen through my use of "type" and "sub­ 1.66 tonnes, or almost 15% of the total of 11.5 type" rather than "class" and "type" in an tonnes of artifactual material recovered by this earlier interim classification (Bayard 1977: programme. (I have since been assured by 65-72), but even here temper was one of the Higham that a volume containing these data is criteria included. to be published.) Even the rim sherd data are 1 think that the most important discrepancy presented as percentage histograms, with total in the report concerns the stratigraphic place­ numbers per layer listed only in the figure ment and dating of the Ban Na Di equivalent margins. However, for the analyses of Ban to the Ban Chiang Middle Period. As the Chiang Hian rim form and body finish, not authors state, this is a very important question, even these figures are provided, and no indica­ since this period "witnessed the introduction tion at all is given of the total number of sherds of iron artifacts and the domestic water buf­ involved in the analyses. These omissions are falo" (p. 708). Vessels of the "Om Kaeo" unfortunate; despite the authors' overall feel­ style characteristic of the Ban Chiang Middle ing that little published material is available Period occur in one Ban Na Di "phase lB" from other sites in the region (pp. 703, 705), (middle or upper layer 7) burial, and in a non­ the nonburial pottery data from Non Nok Tha burial layer 7 context. They also occur in two were published a decade ago (Bayard 1977). "phase lC" burials (Nos. 18 and 48). More immediately relevant ceramic data from Throughout most of the report, the prove­ Non Chai are occasionally mentioned but are nance of "phase lC" is given as "lower layer not utilized to their full potential. 6" (e.g., pp. 292, 415, 704); however, in one A second problem with the ceramic analyses place (p. 57), "phase lC" is provenanced to is the excessively fine-grained typology em­ upper layer 7, and 1 believe that the data as ployed. For example, Metha's analysis of 2892 published support this interpretation. The sec­ rim sherds arrived at 192 types-about 15 tion drawing on p. 46 seems to indicate that sherds per type. As these were apparently both "phase lC" burials were cut from within derived by working through the layers of Ban layer 7, as were other burials ascribed to the Na Di from bottom to top, a very clear-cut dis­ same phase (e.g., Nos. 10 and 11); in fact, 1 tinction between layers is arrived at, with little can see no indication in the published sections overlap of types between layers and even less of any burial (at least labeled as such) cut from correspondence to other nearby sites. The layer 6, unless the burials shown in the section situation with Ban Chiang Hian is similar; 61 on page 50 as cut from "looted area" derive types are defined for a 9 m2 excavation, with from layer 6. This conclusion is further sup­ relatively little overlap between layers. ported by the evidence of the Ban Na Di body Payom's master's thesis (the source of her con­ sherd finish figures published in the brief news­ tribution) gives the total number of rim sherds letter notice mentioned above; fully 75% by involved as 1125-or about 18.4 sherds per weight of the "Om Kaeo" decorated sherds type. Such typologies are not of great utility are shown as provenanced to layer 7, with only for inter-site comparisons. 14% in layer 6. The preponderance of "Om Finally, Vincent's analysis of the Ban Na Di Kaeo" rim sherds in layer 6 (pp. 259-260) mortuary vessels carefully differentiates be­ remains a puzzle, but 1 believe that the bulk of tween vessel form and fabric but implies that the evidence supports upper layer 7 as the chief these can be combined only into some 91 types equivalent of the Ban Chiang Middle Period, 276 Asian Perspectives, xxvu(2), 1986-1987 and hence a date of 600 to 400 B.C. (not 600/ most massive contribution to the field made to 500 to 100 B.C.) at Ban Na Di. This agrees date. Higham and Amphan and their diligent closely with White's (1982) estimate for the team have doubled our published knowledge later Middle Period. It is heartening to be able from the area, and have increased our corpus of to agree with the authors that "a broad con­ illustrative material tenfold. The detail and census [sic] is nearly upon us" (p. 14) in terms thoroughness of the illustrations alone make of dating, although this is due not only to a this a most significant contribution, and the subsidence of "claims for remarkably early authors and artists must be congratulated for dates" (supported by Higham himself until the amazing speed of analysis, writeup, and 1981), but also by the authors' abandonment publication of this vast amount of data. The of a radically later dating for the Ban Chiang presentation of the skeletal evidence in particu­ sequence (Higham et al. 1982: 21-22). 1ar is a model of clarity and common sense, and I will also have to add some quibbles on the Vincent's petrographic research shows great theoretical framework employed, particularly potential. in the conclusions. The authors state that their' In short, while I have some reservations models are intended to rely on Binford's about the theoretical structure employed, "middle-range" theory (p. 3); however, their regret the omission of some obviously available concluding model (or perhaps better "scenario" data, and am shocked by the price, the wealth [Bayard 1985]) relies heavily on ethnographic of data alone makes it required reading for any­ and ethnohistoric parallels-just the sort of one with an interest in the development of theoretical arguments that Binford dismisses as complex societies in the region. a "profitless pastime" (1983:194) rather than "middle-range" theory. Also, in their discus­ REFERENCES sion of the Ban Na Di mortuary data and their implications, it should be noted that Peebles BAYARD, DONN 1977 Phu Wiang pottery and the prehistory of and Kus are concerned with superordinate and Northeast Thailand. MQRSEA 3:57­ subordinate dimensions of variation in grave 102. wealth, rather than simply the presence of rich 1984 Rank and wealth at Non Nok Tha: The and poor groups of burials (p. 414). mortuary evidence, in Southeast Asian Archaeology at the XV Pacific Science Con­ In terms of presentation, the report is gress: 87-122, ed. D. Bayard. Dunedin: definitely an economy model, with rather University of Otago Studies in Prehistoric flimsy paper bindings; however, the dot­ Anthropology 16. matrix printing is legible, the quality of the 1985 Models, scenarios, variables, and supposi­ copious illustrations is high, and misprints tions: approaches to the rise of social complexity in Mainland Southeast Asia, (which the authors admit are certainly there) 700 B.c.-500 B.C. Paper presented at are rarely obtrusive. But given the economy Conference on Early South East Asia, format, my chief criticism of this work must Nakhon Pathom, April 1985. To appear be its grossly excessive price: almost US$70. I in proceedings. cannot understand why these three volumes BINFORD, LEWIS R. should be priced at more than US$30; there 1983 In Pursuit ofthe Past. London: Thames and must be well over a hundred archaeologists and Hudson. workers in related fields in China, India, and HIGHAM, CHARLES, AND AMPHAN KIjNGAM Southeast Asia who will be unable to afford 1982 Ban Nadi, northeastern Thailand: further them. Certainly few Thai archaeologists will radiocarbon dates. South-East Asian Studies Newsletter 7:1-3. be able to reap the benefit of the lengthy sum­ mary in their language, although they (and HIGHAM, C. F. W., AMPHAN KIjNGAM, AND doubtless many Western scholars) will simply B. J. F. MANLY 1982 Site location and site hierarchy in pre­ turn to the xerox. historic Thailand. Proceedings of the Pre­ I have dwelt on the weaknesses of this work historic Society 48: 1-27. at some length precisely because I feel it is an WHITE, JOYCE C. important contribution, and a landmark iIi our 1982 Ban Chiang: Discovery of a Lost Bronze study of Northeast Thailand prehistory. De­ Age. Philadelphia: University of Pennsyl­ spite what I have said above, it is the single vania Press. BOOK REVIEWS 277

Metric and Non-metric Cranial Variation in Australian Aboriginal Populations Compared with Populations from the Pacific and Asia. Michael Pietrusewsky. Occasional Papers in Human Biology No.3. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, 1984. 46 PP" figures, 67 pp. of tables. $Aust 9.95.

Reviewed by 1. C. Richards, Department ofDentistry, The University ofAdelaide

Anyone interested in variation in craniofacial In addition to the significance of the infor­ morphology in Australia and the Asian-Pacific mation obtained from the results of this study, region will find this relatively brief monograph numerous interesting data are presented in by one of the leading authorities on the subject appended tables. A presentation of population well worth reading. means and standard deviations for metric varia­ The author sets out "to investigate the his­ bles and frequencies for nonmetric variables is a torical-biological relationships between several valuable reference source for other investiga­ late Pleistocene Australian populations and a tors. Furthermore, this information gives the number of near contemporary Australian and reader an opportunity to carefully study the circum-Australian samples" by applying vari­ data on which subsequent multivariate analyses ous multivariate statistical analyses to both are based. This is often of considerable assis­ metric and nonmetric data obtained from more tance in the interpretation of these analyses. than 2700 crania representing 28 population Ifthis book has a deficiency, it is its brevity. groups. I was left with a number of unanswered ques­ The results of the analyses of the metric data tions. For example, the criteria for scoring the "provide a concise summary of the biological nonmetric characters are not described and relationships of the Pacific populations investi­ careful examination of the data would suggest gated. Principally, two basic morphological that some of the frequencies differ from other complexes are recognized: A Melanesian­ available data. The author found that in the Australian complex ... and a Southeast Asian­ Swanport material, with which I am most Polynesian complex" with "an intermediate familiar, the incidence of "rocker jaw" was 39 position for Tasmania which straddles the two percent in males and 88 percent in females. By major complexes." The results of the analyses the criteria that I applied to assess this character of the nonmetric data suggest a single major the frequency was less than 1 percent in females complex (Southeast Asia-Melanesia) and two and did not occur in males. This discrepancy isolated clusters: an Australian cluster that would be clarified if the text had been extended includes Tasmania and the Solomon Islands and to include the criteria applied in assessing these a Polynesian cluster that excludes New Zealand. characters. Similarly, a discussion of the ration­ While the results of the various analyses do ale for selecting the variables on which the not always contribute to a coherent picture of analyses were based would be of interest. Per­ the relationships between the groups, the haps the reader being left to ponder the com­ author provides some important new informa­ plexities of topics such as inter-observer meas­ tion and raises a number of very interesting urement errors and variable selection for multi­ questions. variate analysis reflects the fact that the book The information presented is significant has at least stimulated thought on some impor­ because it represents the results of the most tant topics and as such can be considered sophisticated analytical techniques available another of its virtues'. applied to what is probably the most extensive For the reasons outlined I believe that this data likely to be collected. Unless alternative book contains a considerable amount of signifi­ statistical analyses are suggested, different com­ cant information for those interested in his­ binations of variables are selected, or additional torical and biological relationships within the crania are discovered, it represents the limits of Asia-Pacific region. It is well worth obtaining what is likely to be obtained from studies of and studying a copy. this type. 278 Asian Perspectives, xxvn(2), 1986-1987

Rassengeschichte der Menschheit 10. Lieferung. Asien III: Ostasien (China, Mongolei, Korea, Taiwan, Nepalj. Ilse Schwidetzky, editor. Munich and Vienna: R. Olenbourg Verlag. 1984. 144 pp., figures, tables, 12 plates.

Reviewed by Michael Pietrusewsky, University ofHawaii

This is the latest addition to an ambitious series peoples of the region, is discussed later in the begun by Karl Saller that is devoted to describ­ paper. The latter is a summary of the available ing the racial history of mankind. This tenth information on blood groups and other bio­ volume, under the more recent editorship of chemical systems, anthropometry, physiology, Professor Dr. Ilse Schwidetzky, focuses on East anthroposcopic traits, and dentition for these Asia. Five separate papers by six authors, all in inhabitants. Several useful generalizations even­ English, are presented: "Prehistory of China," tuate when the author synthesizes the human by K. C. Chang; "Prehistoric human remains biology and the cultural history of this vast from China," by W. W. Howells; "China, region. Mongolia, Korea," by G. T. Bowles; "Racial C. K. Chai's paper on Taiwan follows the history of Taiwan," by C. K. Chai; and familiar format of information on cultural his­ "Racial history of Nepal," by M. K. Bhasin tory followed by information from biology. and I. Schwidetzky. The racial history of The biological attributes of the indigenous Japan, which might seem to be missing from inhabitants of the island of Taiwan scarcely the present volume, was included in Volume 8 occupy three pages. Unfortunately, interpreta­ of the series, previously reviewed in AP. tions of this information are limited and gen­ Except for a few cursory remarks, K. C. erally not well substantiated. Chai's paper does Chang's contribution, an essay written in contain some useful information on a little 1982, focuses entirely on the prehistory of understood and little studied group of people. Mainland China. Chang's paper provides ex­ One wonders, however, why the aboriginal cellent background information for W. W. populations of Taiwan are included in the pres­ Howells' short summary paper on palaeo­ ent volume and not in the series' earlier volume anthropology in the People's Republic of on Indonesia and Oceania. China. As well as covering human material, The last paper, by Bhasin and Schwidetzky Howells includes some of the more important on the inhabitants of Nepal, presents a nicely Miocene hominoid finds from China. In addi­ illustrated and concisely written description of tion to surveying the available literature (much the biology of these unusual people, a study of it by Chinese palaeoanthropologists) the which includes recent multivariate statistical author summarizes, through the application of studies of anthropometric and serological varia­ 'multivariate statistical procedures to cranio­ bles. The authors find a reasonably close corre­ metric variables, the internal and external rela­ spondence between the cultural-linguistic and tionships of earlier and later Chinese popula­ biological evidence bearing on the racial history tions. The paper's major conclusion is that the of the present-day inhabitants of Nepal. There present Chinese population originated from a are no human prehistoric or historic osteo­ single major expansion established some seven logical remains from Nepal. millennia ago, one which has experienced little As a whole, the papers in the present differentiation since that time. volume provide succinct summaries of the G. T. Bowles' paper on China, Mongolia, racial histories of the areas covered, accom­ and Korea is, by far, the longest (67 pages) of panied by extensive bibliographic references. the five contributions. More than half of the The photographic plates showing representa­ paper is concerned with a summary of the com­ tive individuals from each region attractively plicated cultural history of this enormous augment the textual information presented. region, a history this reviewer found arduous The editor is to be once again praised for main­ reading. Population biology, or the evidence taining the uniformly high standard that char­ from physical anthropology of the living acterizes this series. BOOK REVIEWS 279

Site Surveys and Significance Assessment in Australian Archaeology. Sharon Sullivan and Sandra Bowdler, editors. Department of Prehistory, R.S.Pac.S, Australian National University, 1984. x + 151 pp.

Reviewed by Matthew Spriggs, University ofHawaii

This volume is the proceedings of a symposium These Australian archaeologists initially given at the Australian Archaeological Associa­ looked to their North American cousins for tion Annual Conference held at Springwood, guidance on how to assess research significance New South Wales in November 1981. It seems but claim to have found three important dif­ a pity it took until 1984 to be published. The ferences: Australia largely lacks regional re­ book reflects the growing maturity of Cultural search frameworks; methodology is compara­ Resource Management (CRM) in Australia as tively poorly developed, especially in the area improved or new environmental planning and of survey and sampling strategy; and the legis­ Heritage legislation was introduced at local and lative and administrative set-up is different, national levels. This in itself can be seen as a perhaps more flexible. This latter difference is response to an increasingly active conservation because Australians by and large fetishize pri­ consciousness in the Australian community. In vate property much less than Americans do and this context, "Decisions about sampling strat­ their government has much more say in land­ egy, representativeness and site significance in use decisions in relation to nongovernment the context of land use conflict are made with land. I hope that the first two differences don't increasing frequency" (p. v). As is noted in represent some awful "cultural cringe." Cer­ Sharon Sullivan's introduction, such decisions tainly today regional research frameworks and have to date been hard to make or defend as the methods in Australia seem as good as in much rapid development of CRM has not allowed of the United States, the greater attention in for the development of a sound theoretical basis print to such matters being largely related to or the necessary training and expertise. the "publish or perish" nature of American These are all too familiar statements to academic life rather than differences in method­ someone working in Hawaii and this volume ological sophistication! shows that the Australian archaeologists of The majority of papers in this volume are 1981 were considerably ahead of the current concrete case studies of how research signifi­ Hawaiian CRMers of 1985 in terms of critical cance has been addressed in the field and illus­ self-consciousness of what they were doing, trate the "state of the art" in 1981. New their decision-making processes, and justifica­ South Wales seems heavily over-represented. tions for those decisions. The gap in conscious­ Would things have been different if the Con­ ness can only have become even wider in the ference had been held in Perth or Darwin? Of intervening period. the more general papers, Bowdler discusses What does site Significance mean? In how the research significance of some well­ Australia as defined by law it is a broad term: known sites has changed over time as more "the aesthetic, historic, scientific or social sig­ became known about them. Significance is thus nificance, or other special value, for future gen­ a mutable quality, a valid point and well-made. erations as well as for the present community" Clegg makes a related point in a discussion of (p. vi). I picked up the book eager to be en­ Aboriginal rock art. Bickford and Sullivan, and lightened on the full range of site significance, Pearson discuss historic (i.e., post-contact) sites particularly the question ofcultural significance in Australia, noting the inappropriate division of archaeological sites to Australian aborigines. between prehistoric and historic research in This work, however, concerns itself with site Australia (a division all too distressingly significance only in terms of scientific, archaeo­ familiar elsewhere in the colonized parts of the logical, or research value. In this sense the title world). Here it seems to be the significance of of the book is misleading. Hopefully, the other archaeological research itself that has been open realms of significance will be addressed in a to question, an uphill battle with the architects subsequent volume. and historians as to the relevance of archaeol- 280 Asian Perspectives, xxvn(2), 1986-1987 ogy in studying historic-period sites. One can munity, this book deserves a wider audience only wish the archaeological battlers well. If among CRM specialists. The Australians claim any needed convincing, Hughes and Sullivan, to have learned from their American cousins in Witter, and Vinnicombe argue strongly for an the process of developing their CRM pro­ environmental framework as a background to grams. This volume shows that they now have archaeological survey in terms of prediction something to teach in return. A final historical and subsequent analysis of sites. note that is perhaps worthy of mention: eleven The other papers have fewer pretensions to of the eighteen contributors to the volume are making general statements, but all contain women. In the July 1985 American Antiquity useful ideas in relation to potential research and one notes only 5 women among the 23 main sampling strategies and contribute to the devel­ contributors. Perhaps there is another lesson opment of a philosophy of site significance here that Australian archaeology is ready to assessment. While primarily an internal docu­ teach the world? ment for the Australian archaeological com-

Prehistoric Indonesia: A Reader. Pieter van de Velde, editor. Verhandelingen van het Koninklijk Instituut voor Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde 140. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Faris Publications and New Jersey: Cinnaminson, 1984. Price not stated.

Reviewed by Bennet Bronson, Field Museum of Natural History

Van de Velde has selected fourteen articles to Specialists in Southeast Asian archaeology will represent the current state of research on probably be familiar with most of these articles Indonesian prehistory, supplementing them except perhaps Soejono's "On the Conditions with a ten-page introduction, a two-page and Scope of the Development of Archaeol­ translation of Heine-Geldern's Urheimat und ogy, " translated by the editor from the pro­ frueheste Wanderungen der Austronesier, and a ceedings of a seminar held in 1976 at Cibulan 130-item bibliography that covers not only in Java. White's and Harrisson's articles are Indonesia but also the rest of Southeast Asia, not strictly Indonesian in subject matter but are Australia, and the Pacific. Aside from the included because of the relevance of the areas Heine-Geldern excerpt, all articles and all involved-Melanesia and Sarawak-to Indo­ bibliographic items were published after 1970. nesian prehistory. Blust's article, "Austro­ This date was chosen as the early limit of nesian Culture History, " is linguistic in coverage because, the editor says, it marks the approach but is concerned with archaeological appearance of the New Archaeology and of subjects. "the first non-colonial Indonesian pub­ Considered as a supplementary reader for lications. " use by students in a class on Indonesian pre­ The articles selected include two by R. P. history, the book works well enough. The Soejono, two by Ian Glover, and one each by articles chosen are good ones. Even though the Gert-Jan Bartstra, Robert Blust, F. 1. and D. original sources are not hard to find, it is con­ F. Dunn, Tom Harrisson, Brian Hayden, Karl venient to have them gathered together under 1. Hutterer, Ralph D. Smith and William one cover. Watson, Wilhelm G. Solheim II, Michael J. Considered as a primary reader or textbook­ Walker and Santoso Soeghondo, and J. Peter substitute, however, the book is less successful. White. Three of the articles came from Asian One problem stems from the editor's expressed Perspectives, while World Archaeology, J. Allen conviction that Indonesian prehistorians have et al. 's Sunda and Sahul, and Modern Quaternary neglected the study of cultural connections Research in Southeast Asia each furnished two. with more easterly areas, with the result that BOOK REVIEWS 281

he includes two articles (Hayden's and sent the current consensus with regard to the White's) that summarize recent findings in topics involved. They do not. In one case (Sol­ Australia and Melanesia but none that deal, heim's article), several of the major conclusions except in passing, with connections with the have been withdrawn or modified by the mainland. Even in very specialized courses,-this author. In another (Harrisson's article), both omission means that the lecturer who assigns concepts and data have been subjected to very the book will still have to make liberal use of severe criticism. copying machines. It is admittedly improper for a reviewer to A second problem is that the book makes criticize a work for failing to be something it no serious attempt at updating ideas or infor­ does not pretend to be, and in terms of his mation. True, much of what is said in the arti­ stated goals van de Velde is moderately success­ cles remains valid today, but a good deal of ful. Yet one could wish he had aimed higher. work has been done in Indonesia and neighbor­ His command of German and Indonesian as ing countries since most of it was written. well as ofDutch and English is evidently good, Moreover, this recent work tends to be more and he appears to be familiar with at least some inaccessible, appearing as it does in local jour­ of the literature published before his 1970 cut­ nals and conference proceedings and often in off date. It would have been most useful to stu­ the Indonesian language, than the kind of arti­ dents and even to professionals if he had in­ cles van de Velde has chosen to include. A sum­ cluded translations ofa few articles by the more mary of the highlights of this recent work­ important prehistorians of the Colonial and for instance, Soejono's important writings early post-Colonial periods-Koenigswald, on the bronze- and iron-containing site of Heekeren, and Callenfels, as well as more than Gilimanuk in Bali, or the many developments two pages from the writings of Heine-Geldern. in Early Man studies in Java-would have Although outdated and in some (but certainly strengthened the book. not all) cases pernicious, the influence of these A third problem is also caused by this pau­ scholars is far from dead. city ofeditorial input. Van de Velde's introduc­ And a more comprehensive bibliography tion is very short and is mostly devoted to two would also have been useful. The one van de themes: the shortcomings of migration models Velde presents, though termed "select," seems and the idea that the concept Hoabinhian is not actually to be somewhat random: for instance, only still useful but applicable to Indonesia. A it includes fourteen works on Oceania, twelve good many of the other themes that appear in on eastern Indonesia, ten on Australia, six on the articles are equally deserving of comment, Viet Nam, five on the Philippines, three on and all of them need more background than Thailand, and two on West Malaysia. One has they are given. Without this, the student who the impression that these represent more what is not already a Southeast Asia specialist will the editor happened to have in his card files have a hard time seeing where certain of the than a real effort at putting together an intro­ articles fit in. Moreover, he or she might easily ductory reading list. get the idea that the articles as a group repre-

Bronze Vessels from Israel and Jordan, Lilly Gershuny; and Harappazeitliche Metallgefiisse in Pakistan und Nordwest-indien, Paul Yule. Prahistorische Bronzefunde (hrsg. von Hermann Miiller-Karpe), Abteilung II, Bande 6 und 7. Miinchen: C.H. Beck, 1985. xiii + 63 pp., 4 tables, 18 plates; and vi + 32 pp., 17 plates, respectively.

Reviewed by Wolfgang Marschall, Bern

The two contributions combined in this vol­ Karpe. They have to be regarded as inven­ ume belong to a voluminous series on pre­ tories, certainly useful but not inspiring. historic bronze materials edited by Miiller- Gershuny presents Canaanite bronze con- 282 Asian Perspectives, xxvn(2), 1986-1987

tainers, found in excavations up to 1980 and in described. It is a pity that so little information museums. Included are also results yielded by is available on Dothan, where one single tomb one tomb in Dothan, excavated by R. E. yielded 29 such objects. Cooley. It is difficult to understand why the In discussions of the bronze, the range of author uses Israel and Jordan in the title; as she the amount of tin is noticeable: 6.67 to 15.55. writes in the introduction, "To avoid using Where the author compiles information on debatable terms, we refer to the area as copper and tin deposits in the surrounding Canaan. " areas, trade that brought tin into Canaan is The material, 84% of which was found in mentioned. (A. Franklin's 1979 work, The tombs, is grouped in types, according to dif­ Search ofAncient Tin, is not mentioned.) ferent ratios (e.g., height and diameter or In the summary it is shown that the climax width of the base and diameter of the rim), of bronze vessels in Canaan was during Late resulting in 9 bowl types, platters, strainers, Bronze lIB and the earliest iron age. Most of jars, lamps, and others. Added to the presenta­ the vessels were found in tombs, some in pub­ tion of artifacts belonging to one such type the lic buildings, a few in residential contexts. author gives general information, sometimes The small contribution by Yule is hard to too general. Thus the hemispherical bowls are understand. Four fifths of the material has been considered so simple that they could "easily published elsewhere. Metal analyses are re­ have been made independently" in the Near printed. Not one recent analysis are we pro­ East and in Cyprus, where they were common. vided with. Probable production techniques are Given the complex situation of the acquisition mentioned, but information does not go of raw materials this is too plain. For other beyond what was known in the thirties. Time objects hints are given as to possible relation­ and again the author assures us what still has to ships, as for the spouted bowl and comparable be done. material from the royal cemetery in Ur. The One wonders, especially in view of the sec­ couchant calf made as a mounting for the han­ ond contribution, what the idea behind the dle of another bowl makes the author think of whole series may be. These publications are Egyptian inspiration. A second major chapter certainly not inspiring, but maybe they are not is devoted to context and chronology and pre­ even useful in that they pick items isolated by sents useful information on the "surround­ Western classification and establish them as ings" of the objects concerned. Megiddo ranks classes of objects. But for what? first in producing bronze containers and is well

A New Introduction to Classical Chinese. Raymond Dawson. New York: Oxford Univer­ sity Press, 1985. v + 161 pp. Hardcover.

Reviewed by Stuart H. Sargent, University ofMaryland

I approach this book not as a linguist and not as Potential users ofDawson's book will want a specialist in the texts from which it takes its to know what kind of audience he is address­ material (the Mencius, Chan-kuo Tz'e, Mo-tzu, ing. To judge by his Introduction, which Chuang-tzu, Han Fei-tzu, and Shih-chi) but as includes a section on the writing of characters one who has been teaching Classical Chinese and the counting of strokes, Dawson assumes for several years in American universities. no knowledge of Chinese on the part of the Although Harold Shadick's A First Course in student. He expects his reader to have a fairly Literary Chinese (Ithaca, 1968) has served my sophisticated sense of English, however, and purposes well, I find Dawson's text stimulat­ the nuances of translation he discusses from ing and full of possibilities. time to time may require considerable explica- BOOK REVIEWS 283

tion by the teacher. In fact, several aspects of string in the texts through the number-letter this book call for supplementary input from a code. The important function words and con­ good teacher. For example, the first seven structions are explained as they come up in the selections for reading are from the Mencius, reading, with emphasis on the clues one uses in which is to my mind a rather formidable chal­ recognizing the parts of speech of the words lenge to the neophyte. The student new to and on reflecting the proper nuances in trans­ Classical Chinese may feel quite at sea in these lation. selections, where the issue under discussion A "Grammatical Survey I" precedes the often appears rather trifling, or the argument rest of the notes. If it has not been apparent to seems to wander in aimless circles. A teacher the reader already, the reasoning behind the with some insight into the rhetoric and philos­ selection of texts becomes evident here: ophy ofMencius is needed to imbue these selec­ Passages A-E contain a very high concentration tions with significance and interest. of the important function words, auxiliary Given the proper classroom situation, how­ verbs, and pronouns; seventeen of these, used ever, the book has much to recommend it. The repeatedly, make up 32'70 of the characters in excellent physical production (print, page size, those five passages. The first Grammatical Sur­ paper quality) makes for clarity; and as a slim, vey is devoted to these words and their various single-volume textbook, it is convenient to functions, largely bringing together for review port and peruse-much more so than S) .dick's and easy reference observations that have been text. made in the preceding notes. The organization of the text is also thought­ The student is now ready to move into the fully planned. Following the Introduction is a final group of text passages, and the Notes guide to the pronunciation of Wade-Giles and resume. This time, they are not as exhaustive Pinyin, both of which are used in the Vocabu­ as the previous group, presumably because the lary in the back of the book. (British English is student is able to figure out more for him/ the reference point: we are told that "e" is to herself. (There are several places, however, be read like the "ir" in "sir"!) There are those where I feel Dawson has passed over in silence who would object to the choice of modern a word or phrase that still requires explication: Mandarin readings for words written so long 134b, 179st, 186g, 211jn, 214ab, 225y, and ago, but since Classical Chinese is still a living 235mq.) The reading passages increase some­ language, I am not bothered by the anach­ what in narrative interest, although those ronism. Nevertheless, when a character repre­ excerpted from longer narratives seem­ senting a phonetic fusion of two words is naturally-unsatisfyingly incomplete. pointed out in the notes, it would be appropri­ A "Grammatical Survey II" following the ate to introduce the archaic pronunciations to last batch of text notes briefly reviews the new show how the fusion works, and Dawson's interrogatives, auxiliary verbs, etc., which failure to do so is disappointing. were not encountered in Texts A-E and then A "Key to the Radicals of All the Charac­ turns to four special topics. The first is a series ters Which Occur in Passage A" follows, as an of rules or strategies by which one may identify aid to the novice who must learn to recognize the case, or part of speech, of a given word in radicals in order to use the Vocabulary. Then context. The second topic is a survey ofreasons comes the Text Passages, A through Q. Each for departures from what is supposed to be column of text is numbered, from the first normal word order in a sentence. Then various column of A (1) through the last column of Q topics under the rubrics of Time and Number (251), and each horizontal register is lettered a are explored. In general, this Grammatical Sur­ through z, giving each character in the seven­ vey, though falling far short of being a sys­ teen passages a unique number-letter designa­ tematic and complete outline of the language, tion on the grid. This facilitates reference to a is a valuable reference. single character (e.g., 73n) or a string of char­ Translations of Passages A-E come next, acters (e.g., 73nu). serving as an appendix to be consulted by stu­ Notes'on Text Passages A-E come next, dents in the first stages of the book. with each comment indexed to a word or The final component ofDawson's textbook 284 Asian Perspectives, xxvn(2), 1986-1987

is the Vocabulary, arranged by the 214 radicals. Surveys which raised questions in my mind. The conciseness of the entries and the clarity of I wonder whether ,1;), is really ever a noun the layout make it very easy to consult. In cases (1s; 51qr; p. 66), although it is sometimes where amplification is needed, one is referred glossed that way. Would not a deleted jiJT ex­ to the proper place in the notes; otherwise, plain these constructions more efficiently? however, there is no way to locate a word in (This is one of several cases in which I felt that, the texts to check on its usage in context. although Dawson's interpretation may be cor­ Dawson's is a tightly controlled learning rect, there are other possibilities that should program. Through careful selection of texts, have been acknowledged.) Another observa­ he has kept his vocabulary to just over 900 tion on this word: Dawson is quite aware that characters (less than half of Shadick's) while ,1;), often "contains" the resumed object Z covering the basic grammar and essential func­ (23fh; 44q; 229j); I think this fact could have tion words of the language. It is especially been profitably taken into account in the dis­ remarkable that this could be achieved through cussion of "iiI,I;), at 15pq. authentic, real-world texts (Shadick's first six In sentences where "normal" word order is chapters are rewritten or manufactured pas­ altered to prepose a phrase, Dawson believes sages for the graded introduction of the gram­ emphasis is being placed on the preposed ele­ mar). What is regrettable is that students may ment (7ef; p. 67; 1831) or on both it and an finish the book with a good linguistic founda­ adverbial phrase at the end of the sentence tion but without the satisfaction ofhaving read (15el; p. 104). I suggest that this phenomenon, some of the more significant or famous pas­ like the pa-construction in Modern Chinese, sages in the source texts (nor will they know has a different explanation that has not been anything about the authorship and nature of fully articulated. Perhaps these so-called dis­ those texts, unless their teacher has supplied locations are mandated by a need to clear space the information). Everything written after the after the verb for those "adverbial phrases" second century B.C. is ignored; when Dawson that must be attached to the verb and are the states without qualification that "dates are crucial parts of the sentence. If one must speak normally expressed as the name ofthe roler fol­ of "emphasis," I think it tends to be on what lowed by the number of the years ofhis reign" comes after the preposed element, not on that (p. 104; emphasis mine), it is as if he never element itself. anticipated that his reader might want to go on The discussion of m- at 12dj mentions many and work in the next two thousand years of "meanings" ("to," "towards," "from," Classical Chinese texts. etc.) which are really translations suitable to Perhaps that is the price to be paid for limit­ different contexts in English. My own bias is ing the bulk of the volume. A desire to be slim towards reading first and translating later, and may also explain the lack of illustrative exam­ so I would have preferred giving the student a ples in places where they might have helped root meaning (such as "with respect to") or a clarify a point. References to the Text Passages basic function for the word at the outset, and are often sufficient, but frequently it would then suggesting these derived translations at have been pedagogically wise to have several appropriate points afterwards. sentences (in Chinese, with translations) juxta­ Dawson is sometimes curiously unable to posed to establish a paradigm or to show trans­ see that a word is functioning as a verb. In note formations (e.g., note 4b) and contrasting 231, he points out that in ~~, hsien is "ver­ structures (e.g., notes 3z, 126e, and 195v1961). bal"; yet in 17pr, he fails to recognize that It is to be supposed that the classroom mS ~ exhibits the same construction. Per­ teacher will be the one to fill out the discussion haps his reliance on familiar English termin­ with such examples. The teacher will also have ology has caused him to mistake the stative to come up with exercises, for Dawson pro­ verbs as adjectives and thus label them vides none. "non-verbals." Similarly, the second wang in I should like to turn now from general I Z l'I is correctly identified as a verb observations to comments on a few of the nominalized by the preceding chih, but then he specific points in the notes and Grammatical goes one step further and classifies it as a noun BOOK REVIEWS 285

(p. 103). This could confuse many a student. Introduction to Classical Chinese. At note 35de, This textbook handles the special functions ~~ is an error for ~11J; at note 121p, ::ffi' is an of the final particles -m and ~ in verbal sen­ error for $-. In the Text Passages, the punc­ tences very well, explaining that the former is tuation at 121p should be moved up to 121k, associated with judgments and continuing and there should be punctuation at 1311. On states, the latter with momentary events. (I the same page, I suspect that there should be would speak in terms of static and dynamic punctuation at 124v, 124z, 126u, and 126y. situations, but we are clearly talking about the I have tried to indicate some of the strong same thing.) While I am impressed with the and weak points of this book. The final proof astute observations he makes about their usages of a language textbook, of course, is in its (notes 6a; 25hi; 37x; 51w52d; 58g; 60g; 111s, actual use in the classroom, and I have not had etc.), I feel Dawson is somewhat too rigid in time to put it to that test as yet (though some referring all occurrences of i back to a single of my students have discovered it in the library rule, as when he states that its use in com­ and report favorable impressions). At this mands is explained by the expectation of point, I can best sum up by saying that "once-and-for-all obedience" (p. 67). There Dawson's work is an excellent guide for the are so many uses of this particle (many not presentation of several complex topics. Despite encountered in this book), that a more careful its limitations, it merits consideration for articulation of its nuances is called for. course adoption. There are a very few misprints in the New

Ancestors: The Hard Evidence. Eric Delson, editor. Proceedings of the Symposium held at the American Museum of Natural History, April 6-10, 1984, to mark the opening of the exhibition "Ancestors: Four Million Years of Humanity." New York: Alan R. Liss, Inc., 1985. xii + 366 pp., 16 color plates, index. $49.50.

Reviewed by Michael Pietrusewsky, University of Hawaii

This book is the direct outcome of the Sym­ tributors to make direct comparisons of the posium, "Palaeoanthropology: The Hard Evi­ fossils and to discuss the implications of the dence" held at the American Museum of hard evidence (the fossils themselves) with Natural History from April 6 to April 10, 1984 their colleagues in attendance. to mark the opening of the exhibition, Ances­ The organization of the book reflects the tors: Four Million Years ofHumanity. On exhibit comparative study sessions held during the were the original human and primate fossils symposium. After two chapters, which discuss from 21 institutions in 9 countries representing the history of the exhibit, there are seven sec­ over 30 million years of human and primate tions of technical papers and briefcomments by evolution. Originally, 25 institutions repre­ each study session's <;hairperson based on the senting 12 countries were expected to exhibit results of the session. The topics include papers specimens but three (Australia, The Nether­ on higher primate evolution, palaeoenviron­ lands, and Tanzania), primarily because of ment, stratigraphy, taphonomy, Australo­ political reasons, withdrew their contributions pithecines, Homo erectus, early Homo sapiens, at the last minute. Invited to give papers at the Neanderthals and other late Pleistocene symposium were some of the curators of the humans. One paper deals with the problems of material on display, who are also specialists in doing palaeoanthropological research in devel­ palaeoanthropology, and other researchers oping countries. whose interests complemented those of the In all, there are 46 articles written by 57 curators. The symposium allowed the con- contributors from 21 institutions in over a 286 Asian Perspectives, xxvn(2), 1986-1987 dozen countries represented in Ancestors: The Wu Rukang discusses new Homo erectus Hard Evidence. Some of the articles are only a material from Hexian County and recent few pages in length while others provide more excavations at Zhoukoudian in the People's in-depth treatment of their subject matter. Republic of China. The material from Hexian Given the large number and diversity of the is judged to be similar to Homo erectus material articles in this volume, I will specifically men­ from Zhoukoudian Locality 1. Since 1979, no tion only six which I think, primarily because new hominid material representative of Homo of their geographical focus, will be of most erectus has been found at the latter site, interest to readers of Asian Perspectives. although excavations are continuing. Wu A paper by M. H. Wolpoff and A. Nkini, Rukang further reports results of new dating "Early and Early Middle Pleistocene Hominids of the Chinese Homo erectus material that indi­ from Asia and Africa," serves as an introduc­ cate that many of the specimens are not as old tion and summary of a session that dealt pri­ as previously reported. marily with the Homo erectus finds from Asia The oldest known hominid fossil from and Africa. As stated by the authors, Homo India, the important new find from Narmada erectus may well be one of the most interesting Valley, is discussed by A. Sonakia. Sonakia, and most important fossil hominids, the first after doing a morphological examination, ten­ hominid species to venture outside Africa and tatively concludes that the Narmada skull cap is the first to be associated with a recognizably an advanced form of Homo erectus. human adaptive pattern that includes the sys­ Finally, a paper by S. M. Ibrahim Shah and tematic manufacture of tools. One of the more S. Mahmood Raza discusses the problems of intriguing problems dealt with in this session doing palaeoanthropological research in Paki­ was how regionally distinct populations of stan and the benefits of foreign collaboration, a Homo erectus could have evolved into regionally possible model for international cooperation. distinct populations of Homo sapiens and the The "Ancestors" project and the subse­ evolutionary implications of this and alterna­ quent publication of its proceedings represent tive explanations. A major point of agreement an achievement of unprecedented proportions. among the contributors to this session was an By staging this impressive international exhibi­ approximate 700,OOO-year age for the earliest tion of original fossils and by inviting many of Homo erectus occupations in both China and the leading authorities in the field of palaeo­ Indonesia. anthropology, the public and interested scien­ A short paper by J. de Vos, "Faunal Stra­ tists were afforded the unique opportunity of tigraphy and Correlation of the Indonesian viewing and studying the remains of our dis­ Hominid Sites," finds a very good correlation tant ancestors. The organizers and contributors between the faunal and human fossil remains to the"Ancestors" project are to be congratu­ from Java. lated for making possible this exhibit of un­ A recent morphological comparison of the paralleled success and importance. For those type specimen and of mandible C of the oldest who did not see the exhibit, the articles pre­ known hominoid from Java (1.4 million years) sented in Ancestors: The Hard Evidence provide a with various hominoids by J. L. Franzen is the concise summary of the state of palaeoanthro­ subject of the paper, "What Is Pithecanthropus pology in the mid-1980s and serve as a valuable dubius Koenigswald, 1950?" He concludes that reference for everyone who is interested in it is an early hominid with australopithecine human origins. affinities. BOOK REVIEWS 287

The Agta of Northeastern Luzon-Recent Studies. P. Bion Griffin and Agnes Estioko­ Griffin, editors. Cebu City, Philippines: San Carlos Publications, University of San Carlos, 1985. 19 illustrations, 13 tables, 14 plates, index. Softcover.

Reviewed by Kirk Endicott, Dartmouth College

The ancestors of the Agta, the Negritos of states, is "to report, in all its breadth and northeastern Luzon, are generally assumed to depth, an unusual amount of related research have been the original human inhabitants of among the Agta and other people of northeast­ that area, although the archaeological investi­ ern Luzon" (p. xii). The book comprises Grif­ gations necessary to confirm this have hardly fin's introduction, containing a history of begun. Numbering about 9000 in all, the Agta research on the Agta, and his conclusion, live in scattered camp groups of three to ten which brings out some of the general and theo­ closely related families along the Pacific coast retical implications of the findings, and nine and on the forested eastern slopes of the Sierra articles by the editors and other scholars. The Madre Mountains in the provinces of Aurora, articles focus on a variety of topics, including Isabela, and Cagayan. Until recently, they sub­ the basic ethnography of a previously un­ sisted by a combination of hunting and gather­ described group, the hunting practices of Agta ing, trade and labor barter with lowlander women, the effect of the Agta's fear of ghosts (Christian) farmers, and occasional small-scale on their exploitation of resources, the nature of swidden agriculture. Since World War II, the rain forest environment and how it is uti­ however, rapid increases in the non-Negrito lized by the Agta, the effect of the Agta's population and the advance of commercial log­ hunting on the wild pig population, recent ging have led to the dispossession of many population movements and socioeconomic Agta from their traditional lands and the changes among the various ethnic groups of destruction of many of the resources they northeastern Luzon, the reasons for the failure depended upon, which in turn has started them of aid projects among the Casiguran Agta, a on the road to depopulation, deculturation, stratificational analysis and description of an and a gradual decline into a state of serfdom. Agta language, and reproductive patterns of Even so, many Agta still depend on hunting Agta women. The book also includes fourteen and gathering for a substantial portion of their photographs and a very useful selected bibliog­ food and material culture, and they retain the raphy of published sources on the Agta. age-old skills and knowledge that enabled them The research reported is predominantly to effectively exploit the naturally occurring focused on cultural ecological facts and prob­ resources of the forest, rivers, and sea. Thus, lems-in keeping with the senior editor's they are one of the few peoples remaining in specialization in ethnoarchaeology. The chap­ Southeast Asia who can provide us with fresh ters contain the careful documentation and data on the foraging way of life. quantitative data that is customary in archaeol­ Very little anthropological investigation of ogy and which should be amenable to secon­ the Agta was done before World War II, and dary and comparative analysis by other schol­ intensive field work dates only from the 1960s. ars. The quality of the research and writing is Much of what we know about the cultures of generally very good, although a few articles, the Agta comes from studies done by the such as Artemio Barbosa's ethnographic sketch editors of this volume and by the senior of the Agta of Lamika, could have benefited editor's former graduate students at the Uni­ from expansion. versity of Hawaii. This recent flurry of re­ Several articles deserve special mention. search by scholars with diverse orientations Agnes Estioko-Griffin's article, "Women as and interests promises to make the Agta one of Hunters: The Case of an Eastern Cagayan Agta the better documented hunting and gathering Group," is especially significant, as it docu­ peoples. ments women's hunting of sizeable animals­ The purpose of this volume, as Griffin pigs and deer-a highly unusual practice 288 Asian Perspectives, xxvn(2), 1986-1987

among hunting and gathering societies. The Mudar's "Bearded Pigs and Beardless Men: author presents quantitative data showing, Predator-Prey Relationships between Pigs and among other things, that all-female and mixed­ Agta in Northeastern Luzon, Philippines" is a sex hunting teams enjoyed a higher success rate well-conceived study of the ages of pigs killed than all-male teams, apparently because by Agta hunters compared to the age composi­ women, but not men, always hunt with tion of the wild pig population as a whole. Her trained hunting dogs. She also examines the major finding, which will be of interest to relationship between women's hunting and archaeologists interpreting faunal remains, is their reproductive role and discovers that, that Agta bow-and-arrow hunting, involving although pregnancy does not significantly in­ active pursuit, disproportionately culls im­ hibit hunting, lactation and infant care do. She mature and aged members of the pig popula­ does not address here the question of why some tion. Studies such as these, done by scholars Agta women hunt-which would require trained in such disciplines as botany and zool­ comparison with other foraging groups in ogy, are especially important, I think, in pro­ which they do not-but her article provides viding a strong scientific basis for studies by the kind of careful documentation we need in anthropologists and archaeologists. seeking an answer to this question. The picture of Agta culture presented by a Two notable articles deal with some of the volume such as this is inevitably rather frag­ resources that are crucial to the Agta. Melinda mented, but these solid contributions are im­ S. Allen's article, "The Rain Forest of North­ portant pieces of the puzzle. I only hope that east Luzon and Agta Foragers," is an excellent one or more of the present authors will favor summary of the botanical structure and content us with a comprehensive ethnography of an of the Agta environment, paying particular Agta group, to provide a framework for such attention to the foods available both to the specialized studies, in the not too distant Agta and the game they hunt. Karen M. future.

Maritime Trade and State Development in Early Southeast Asia. Kenneth R. Hall. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1985. 368 pp., 8 maps, 6 figures, photographs, index, bibliography.

Reviewed by Ruurdje Laarhoven, Australian National University

What pleasurable and refreshing reading this support of more recent archaeological findings, substantial volume by Hall is. One gets the more nuanced epigraphic readings, and espe­ feeling that there are no important topics that cially full local and interregional histories, e.g., he failed to touch upon: he presents a pano­ between South India and the Burma-Malaya ramic history. It is not the first publication to zone. discuss early Southeast Asia, pre-1S00, in terms The first two chapters outline two themes of trade and statecraft. George Coedes and C. that are familiar enough: (1) the contrasting Wolters have attempted to describe the role of geographical bases of state formation such as trade and religion in the growth of the region's the wet-rice plains ofJava and Mainland South­ polities. What distinguishes Hall's attempt east Asia, and the network of coast-riverine hom previous ones is its conscious effort to principalities in Sumatra and the rest of Island present early Southeast Asian history hom an Southeast Asia; and (2) the interlocking of pre­ indigenous perspective (contra Coedes) and on existing interregional trade zones with the a region-wide scope (contra Wolters). Hall's international "through-trade" of the Malacca newer interpretation, moreover, enjoys the . Straits and the South China Sea. The central BOOK REVIEWS 289

thesis of the book turns around the proposition Borneo; (5) the Java Sea network that inte­ that the coming of international trade to and grated most of eastern Indonesia, Mindinao, through Southeast Asia stimulated the emer­ West Borneo, Java, and the southern portions gence and formation of harbor-states and classi­ of Sumatra. cal Indianized kingdoms. In addition to these five internal commercial Earlier articulations of this proposition zones, Hall outlined six through-regional and tended to portray foreign traders and imported international circuits that extended from (1) models of statecraft as the primary determi­ South China, through (2) the Java Sea/Malacca nants of local state formation. Since Wolters' Strait junction, (3) the Bengal BayISouth India Early Indonesian Commerce (1965), the impor­ zone, extending towards (4) the Red Seal tance of indigenous traders and political entre­ Middle Eastern zone centered in Alexandria, preneurs has gradually assumed a central role in and beyond that to (5) the Italian redistribution state building themes. Hall pushes this trend zone which connected with (6) the Iberian further by depicting external influences not Peninsula and beyond towards northwestern solely as determinants but as opportunities for Europe and the Hanseatic traders of the north­ Southeast Asian initiative to achieve higher ern seas. Of course some members of the levels of economic and political integration. regional-internal and the international-external The various chapters of the book illustrate the trade zones overlapped-the very circumstance interplay of the geographical and the trade­ that created the opportunities for statecraft in statecraft themes in several parts of the South­ early Southeast Asia. east Asian realm and at several periods of the The treatment of Funan, Southeast Asia's region's early history. first state, illustrates the interplay between the The details are treated at length in nine wet-rice plain geography, trade routes, and chapters. A chapter each is devoted to Funan, state development. Funan, situated at the Srivijaya of Sumatra, the Sailendra of Java, southern tip of the Indo-Chinese peninsula, Cambodia, and Angkor/Champa (chapters 3 derived its primacy from both its rice plain to 7). The eighth chapter analyzes political­ hinterlands and from its trading ports. Its reli­ economic transitions between A.D. 1000 and ance on profit from interisland and inter­ 1400. The last chapter describes the rise and fall national trade was contingent on the Isthmus ofMajapahit in the fifteenth century, the last of of Kra, thus continuing to serve the India­ the classical states of Java. China transshipment traffic, while the Funan The conventional approach in discussing port was being patronized by South China maritime trade routes is to distinguish the traders. When the India-China trade traffic internal from the external trade circuits (the shifted to the Malacca Strait, abandoning its latter connecting India and China markets reliance on the Isthmus of Kra, Chinese com­ through Southeast Asian sealanes). Hall has mercial attention also shifted towards the Java fine-tuned this distinction by identifying Sea ports. In the process Funan gradually lost specific zones in both the internal and external its trading port revenues, forcing it to turn dimensions. He lists five internal zones in exis­ inwards to its wet-rice plain economy. tence by the beginning of the fourteenth cen­ A reverse pattern occurred in Java where tury. Starting from the west these regional initially the early Javanese hinduized state was zones were (1) around the Bay of Bengal, link­ inward looking, relying mostly on the rice ing Southeast India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and the produce of its hinterland. When the state's upper Malay Peninsula, eventually including center of gravity shifted to eastern Java and the Samudra-Pasai area of northern Sumatra; closer to the coast, the shift enabled the rulers (2) the Strait of Malacca, which became the to add the revenues from the Java Sea trade most prominent commercial zone by the fif­ with eastern Indonesia to the traditional wealth teenth century; (3) the Gulf of Thailand, link­ from landed estates. Hall's discussion of early ing the eastern coast of the Malay Peninsula, Java is richly textured with recent literary Thailand, and the lower coast of Viet Nam; (4) scholarship based on temple inscriptions and the Sulu Sea region, networking the Philip­ epigraphs, revealing the dealings between the pines and the Brunei sphere in North and West court, the landed elites, and the peasants. It 290 Asian Perspectives, xxvn(2), 1986-1987

also clarifies the role of itinerant and local commercial kingdom. traders as well as the integrative role of rituals With the eclipse of Srivijaya and its center in these hinduized polities. at Palembang, other competing centers arose, The eclipse of Funan is associated with the including resurgent Java, Jambi in central rise of Srivijaya between A.D. 670 and 1025. As Sumatra, and, ofcourse, Malacca as the historic the international trade route moved south to successor to Srivijaya's commercial dominance the Malacca Strait zone, the Chinese began to in western Indonesia. patronize new ports along the coasts of south­ The chapter on early Cambodia compared it ern Sumatra and western Java. Unlike Java and with }:lVa in explaining the role of the temple Funan, which are flat rice plains, the hinter­ complex as a state mechanism for economic lands of Sumatra are forested highlands and integration and wealth distribution. Surplus mountains inhabited by slash-and-burn culti­ wealth from the wet-rice economy was trans­ vators and forest collectors loosely tied to formed into temple building activities. The downriver chiefs. Thus, state development had association of these temples enhanced the to adjust to these socio-ecological constraints. primacy of the sacred-secular ruler. At the same A coalition of coastal-riverine chiefs con­ time, the periodic feasts in these temples spon­ stituted a typical state: "a federation of trading sored by the rulers and the subordinate landed ports." Such was Srivijaya, which dominated aristocracy served to redistribute the state's the international trade between China and resources to the peasant population. Thus, a India and beyond. It provided not only staples flow of material and symbolic wealth was from the Sumatran hinterlands, pepper in par­ maintained through the functioning of the ticular, and from the Java Sea realm, but it also temple complex. provided storage facilities, living accommoda­ Hall's comparison of Angkor and Champa tions, and other services to resident and tran­ makes the point that wet-rice states attempting sient traders. Srivijaya's glory was ended to add commercial profits to their state reve­ through conquest by the Cholas of India in nues were not always successful. Champa's A.D. 1025. Hall uses many ideas from the geography was more like the coast riverine net­ Telaga Batu inscriptions and his descriptions of works of Sumatra than the flat rice plains of the Srivijaya court, the hierarchy of trading Java, yet Champa could not generate enough networks, and the use ofBuddhist ideologies in wealth from trade to maintain its constituents statecraft are as enlightening as his description and allies. Consequently, its mercenary navy of hinduized Java. and seatraders turned to piracy and raiding as a The sea-oriented Malays were an important substitute for legitimate trade. When vic­ manpower resource for Srivijaya and other timized trading ports retaliated, Champa lost maritime powers of that era. A harbor state out. Unlike Funan or Angkor, Champa did must have a sea power to protect its sealanes not have a big enough wet-rice hinterland to and transport products and this service was fall back on. Champa thus joined Srivijaya in provided by these maritime peoples. As mer­ the history of maritime states that fell victim to cenaries, the sea peoples were potential regular external conquest. navy or merchant marines in peaceful and pros­ Hall has succeeded in using new archaeo­ perous times and pirates and freebooters during logical, linguistic, and historical researches to times of economic setbacks and disorder. sketch a fuller and more dynamic picture of China's support of Malacca's establishment in early Southeast Asia. More importantly, he has the fifteenth century was supposedly motivated advanced the trend to view Southeast Asia by the desire to control piracy in the Straits from within-to see the world through the region through the influence of a powerful eyes of Southeast Asians. BOOK REVIEWS 291

Feathered Gods and Fishhooks-An Introduction to Hawaiian Archaeology and Prehistory. Patrick V. Kirch. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1985. x + 349 pp., 245 figures, glossary, bibliographic note, index. Hardcover.

Reviewed by R. C. Green, University ofAuckland

A balanced and reasonably full cultural history of the indigenous and still resident inhabitants of the Hawaiian group of islands-from first has been sustained for nearly a century in the Polynesian settlement to the time of European instance ofHawaii and some decades more than contact-that is thoroughly grounded in the that in the case of New Zealand. However, it is archaeological evidence recovered since the only in the last three decades in Polynesia that early 1950s has long been needed. This book by modern archaeology has made a major contri­ Kirch fulfills that need. It had few antecedents bution to this study. Use of a range of tech­ on which to draw. One theoretically oriented niques has resulted in masses of new data and short article in 1974 by Cordy and a longer interpretations quite different from those in overview chapter on Hawaii by Tuggle in the vogue in the early 1950s. Literally hundreds 1979 Prehistory of Polynesia is all that has been of reports each on both New Zealand and available previously to students of Hawaiiana. Hawaiian archaeology have appeared. In the Only one other recent book-length treatment New Zealand case a baseline book, now a of Hawaiian archaeology has appeared (by classic, Duff's Moa Hunter Period ofMaori Cul­ Cordy in 1981). It is a more theoretical analysis ture, summarized the situation after the first which narrowly focuses on the evidence from eighty years of investigation there. A long one part of the main island of Hawaii and on series of summary articles by a number of the issue of the development of complex socie­ authors followed from the late 1950s to the ties in the Hawaiian Islands. Thus, ifyou want 1970s and into the 1980s that kept all informed to learn in summary form about what is now on the progress being made and the issues and known on most topics in Hawaiian prehistory, problems being tackled as the investigations Feathered Gods and Fishhooks is the one source proceeded. This was capped in 1984 by the first that will provide that information in easily major book on the subject since Duff: The Pre­ digestible form. The book has sufficient of the history ofNew Zealand by Davidson. accoutrements of the academic text that any In contrast, there was no major book sum­ archaeologist, anthropologist, or scholar inter­ marizing Hawaii's prehistory to the 1950s, and ested in the topic can turn to it in confidence, as noted above, few summary articles since. As obtain a current overview on the issue or issues a consequence, Kirch was faced with building with which he or she is concerned, and enough the entire picture of Hawaiian prehistory more information to track down the sources needed or less from scratch. He has, in my opinion, for further details. But the book serves equally brought the subject in a single book onto a par well for interested students and informed with that of New Zealand prehistory. The members of the public who wish something book therefore is a notable achievement, both more than a superficial view of Hawaiian cul­ for Hawaiian archaeology and for the pre­ ture history. Outstanding in this regard are the history of Polynesia, particularly because numerous figures consisting of both line draw­ Hawaii is one of the apogees in social and ings and photographs that serve to illustrate political development among the various Poly­ the text. nesian societies. It also is a very necessary The two regions of Polynesia with sizable work, because until now Hawaiian archaeolo­ land areas able to support an intrusive and gists have done a lamentable job of keeping dominant European culture with its imported themselves and the public who finances their institutions and populations were New Zealand endeavors informed about the principal out­ and Hawaii. These institutions include comes of their research. museums and universities, where the scientific The book has a very conventional format. It study of and research into the Polynesian past opens with a short but satisfactory account of 292 Asian Perspectives, xxvn(2), 1986-1987

the study of Hawaii's past and archaeology's sitively done, indicating just how much can be role in it. It then provides the environmental learned from their study. context in which Hawaiian archaeological The two following chapters are among the remains occur and an overview of the types of best in the book. "Settlements and Societies" information the archaeologist can expect to should occasion no surprise, for settlement pat­ recover from those remains. The question of tern archaeology in Hawaii has since 1966 been Polynesian and Hawaiian origins is briefly set a major theoretical thrust of the many impor­ out along the lines of interpretations favored tant studies that are here summarized for the by current scholarship, with Hawaii's origin first time. "The Evolution of Hawaiian Cul­ firmly tied to a primary East Polynesian dis­ ture" sketches out a plausible cultural his­ persal center in the Marquesas. The issue of torical sequence in periods as follows: Coloni­ whether Hawaii was colonized more than once zation (A.D. 300-600), Developmental (A.D. is raised and the evidence from Tahiti con­ 600-1100); Expansion (A.D. 1100-1650) and sidered, but surprisingly, no mention is made Proto-Historic (A.D. 1650-1795), and exam­ of the possibility that the sweet potato may ines the probable processes that gave rise to the have been a later introduction of some sig­ changes from one to the next. While these nificance. period models are handy for the student, An entire chapter, appropriately enough, is teacher, or analyst looking for a category for devoted to the few early sites that document data, I for one am no longer as enamored as the rapid and continuing adaptation necessi­ previously of the utility of these schemes in the tated by colonization of an environment quite Polynesian context. Kirch, however, recog­ different to that in tropical East Central Poly­ nizes that such summary schemes are very tied nesia. However, while I can agree that the to the interpreter making them and will have Layer III material from the H-1 site on the to be judged by how useful others find them in South Point of the island of Hawaii may be the future. In the present context, his choices early, I am not ready yet to accept the A.D. 290 seem sensible, but of the writing ofculture his­ ± 60 date for it. Chapter Six, the regional tories in this mode, there is probably no end to archaeological of who did what, where, and possible divisions and interpretations as the with what major outcome, covers the later data increase. How well motivated they are in periods. It is organized by island or island reflecting the actual changes in Hawaiian pre­ group and is by far the longest in the book. It history remains to be seen. not only provides a much overdue and very A short final chapter on historical archaeol­ necessary stocktaking but also offers useful ogy makes a plea for more work in this still comment on what could or should be done neglected field. Its potential for both Hawaiian next. For the general reader it is probably the history and history of Hawaii's immigrant least satisfactory chapter, though it is essential populations is probably still understated and to the thematic chapters that follow, especially certainly not properly understood by most. for evaluating just how uneven our current Throughout the book, but particularly in understanding of Hawaiian prehistory really is. Chapter Six, Kirch notes promising avenues Among the thematic chapters, one deals for future investigation. Too much archaeol­ with the more common portable artifacts ogy in Hawaii is currently unprofitable in my (excluding fishing gear) that are usually view, because it is both inaccessible and lacking recovered archaeologically and another deals in direction and design focused on significant with fishing gear, fish bones and fish ponds. issues. Hopefully this book may stimulate This chapter, "Harvesting the Sea," and that others now to correct that situation. Going which follows, "Planters of Lono," covering public can only improve the product and the interpretation of the agricultural field evi­ enhance both support for the subject and dence, are two of the more successful in the increasing protection for its now rapidly book. That on human remains is brief but sen- diminishing remains. BOOK REVIEWS 293

Out ofAsia. Robert Kirk and Emoke Szathmary, editors. Canberra: Journal of Pacific History, 1985. xiii + 226 pp., figures, tables, index. $18.50 + $2.50 postage. Soft­ cover. (Distributed by the Canadian Association for Physical Anthropology, Depart­ ment of Anthropology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.)

Reviewed by Michael Pietrusewsky, University ofHawaii

The initial peopling of the Americas and the Asian (Siberia) homeland is probably mainly Pacific share certain features in common. Both responsible for the Amerindian gene pool, he received their first human populations by recognizes the distinct possibility of a Pacific migrations out of Asia and, when compared (Proto-Polynesian?) source for some South with the rest of the world, these events, save American descendants. Szathmary's excellent Island Southeast Asia, occurred relatively late. summary of genetic marker and genetic dis­ Out ofAsia is a collection of papers written by tance data for the two major linguistic families archaeologists, linguists, physical anthropolo­ of the North American subarctic suggests that gists and geneticists who summarize, from Athapaskan speakers are linked toward the their respective fields, the current ideas on the Bering Sea while the Algonkians have genetic peopling of these two enormous regions of the connections toward the south. She also finds earth's surface. After a brief introduction, that the former are closer to Eskimo than are there are twelve chapters written by fourteen Algonkians. authors. The first four are concerned with the The chapter by Christy Turner summarizes peopling of the Americas and the remaining his extensive work on dental remains from the eight deal with the peopling of the Pacific. The Americas and North and East Asia that sup­ last five chapters (Chapters 8-12) were re­ ports an East Asian (sinodont) origin of Native printed from the Journal ofPacific History Vol. Americans. Turner also favors a recent ancestry 19 (3-4), 1984. With the exception of two for Amerindians involving three major chapters, the papers were initially written for migrations. two symposia, "Peopling the Americas" and The remaining chapters concentrate on the "Peopling the Pacific," organized for the XIth peopling of the Pacific. They begin with International Congress of Anthropological and Kazuro Hanihara's succinct summary ofcranial Ethnological Sciences held in Vancouver in studies of living and past populations ofJapan, August 1983. a country whose ancestry is more closely The opening chapter by Stephen Zegura aligned with events in East Asia than the presents an overview of the peopling of the Pacific. He concludes that the modern Japanese Americas, including some of the evidence from are a mixture of earlier Gomon) and later physical anthropology, palaeoanthropology, (Yayoi) migrants. and the paleoecology of Beringa. His chapter Keiichi Omoto's chapter provides a hypo­ ends with a speculative scenario for the origins thetical reconstruction of the earlier peopling of Native Americans, a scenario that not only of the western Pacific based on genetic studies cites Asia as the place of origin of Native of 20 polymorphic loci focusing, in particular, Americans but that points to South Asia as the on the Negrito populations of the Philippines. place where anatomically modern Homo sapiens He concludes that Oceanic Negritos do not sapiens originated. represent an earlier, widespread group of Reviews of the current genetic evidence for modern human populations that once inhabited the peopling of North America (subarctic cul­ the tropics nor are they closely related to tures) and South America are provided in the African pygmies. chapters by Emoke Szathmary and Francisco Rebecca Cann, using variation in mito­ Salzano, respectively. The latter also cites some chondrial DNA, traces genetic ancestry among anthropometric and skeletal evidence for the modern populations using a small group of peopling of South America. One surprising Aboriginals from Western Australia and other outcome of Salzano's survey is that while an human groups selected on a worldwide basis. 294 Asian Perspectives, xxvn(2), 1986-1987

Her major conclusion is that the roots of Finally, Patrick Kirch provides a general human diversity are considerably older (at least review of the archaeology of the Polynesian 350,000 years) than previous estimates based Outliers. His review reveals that several of the on protein electrophoresis. While this paper thus-far investigated Outliers have highly utilizes a potentially very useful approach for varied and complex settlement histories, which studying genetic relationships, due to the suggests they are not simply the vestiges of limited samples used, it provides little informa­ earlier Polynesian migrations nor are they tion on the peopling of Australia or the Pacific. necessarily the isolated results of Polynesian One further genetic paper, by Susan Ser­ drift voyages that arrived after the initial jeanston, up-dates Serjeanston's earlier work peopling of the Polynesian triangle. on genetic relationships between Pacific As expected in an undertaking of these peoples by utilizing human leukocyte antigen dimensions, the twelve contributions to Out of (HLA) data; it reinforces her earlier view that Asia do not provide a very comprehensive or Polynesians are virtually uninfluenced by Mela­ satisfactory summary of the peopling of the nesian genes. This position, which is consistent Americas and the Pacific, nor are the contribu­ with other evidence from physical anthropol­ tions of equal merit. Some of the best papers ogy, is at odds with the evidence from archae­ review genetic data but even among these there ology and linguistics. are disappointments. Major summary papers Two chapters, one by Darrell Tryon and on the archaeology of the Pacific and the the other by Andrew Pawley and Roger Ame!icas are missing as are major summaries of Green, summarize linguistic evidence for the information from other branches of physical peopling of the Pacific. Tryon provides a gen­ anthropology (e.g., cranial studies of the eral overview of the linguistic prehistory of the Pacific). A concluding chapter that at least region. Pawley and Green's contribution con­ attempts to synthesize this information would centrates on the Proto-Oceanic language com­ have been desirable. Readers of Asian Perspec­ munity, providing an excellent summary of the tives will be delighted to find that the majority timing, spatial distribution, and cultural sig­ of papers focus on Oceania. nificance of this important event. While Out ofAsia lacks overall continuity, Matthew Spriggs' paper challenges the it does provide new evidence and thinking "orthodox" interpretation of Lapita origins from a wide variety of disciplines that are rele­ and argues, citing mostly evidence from the vant to the origins of Native Americans and archaeological record, for cultural continuity in Pacific Islanders. In this respect, the editors are Island Melanesia and the indigenous develop­ to be congratulated for making possible this ment of Lapita culture in the Bismarck Archi­ exchange of views on an extremely interesting pelago region. and challenging topic.

The Indonesian City: Studies in Urban Development and Planning. Peter J. M. Nas, editor. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Foris Publications, 1986. Verhandelingen van het Koninklijk Instituut voor Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde 117. viii + 328 pp., illustrations, bibliogra­ phy, glossary, index. Softcover.

Reviewed by Paul Wheatley, The University of Chicago

Indonesia can boast an urban tradition going developed into a series of reasonably stable back for nearly 1500 years. By the fifth century urban hierarchies extending over much of the A.D. settlements of at least proto-urban charac­ western half of the archipelago. The arrival of ter had appeared in Java and perhaps also in the Dutch at the very end of the sixteenth cen­ Sumatra. Subsequently this incipient urbanism tury initiated the development of a mestizo BOOK REVIEWS 295

society that eventually impressed an Indische land attempts to formulate analytic categories morphology and life style on numerous towns, alternative to those espoused by the ruling, especially in Java, through the amalgamation of male, East India Company official writing in European values with those of the Indonesian Makassar during its Indische phase. Whereas it official class. With the implementation of the is these latter categories, derived almost ex­ so-called Liberal Policy in 1870, which brought clusively from official archives, that have Dutch entrepreneurs and private capital to the shaped most Indonesian colonial historiogra­ East Indies, the Indische towns progressively phy, Ms Sutherland places her emphasis on the became transformed into colonial repositories perspectives of the town's local ethnic groups for urban populations socially segregated and thereby elicits a more dynamic image of according to ethnic affiliation. These colonial social reality than that customarily associated towns in turn provided the framework for the with the classic model of a plural society. In more recent "urbanization without significant these respects she is trying to do for Makassar industrialization" that, as in many other parts what Jean Gelman Taylor has recently done for of the Third World, has aggravated already the capital of the Dutch Indies (The Social existing problems of unemployment, housing, World of Batavia, University of Wisconsin sanitation, transport, medical care, education, Press, Madison, 1983). The third historical and suchlike. And the huge, though frag­ chapter, by Theo Stevens, affords a survey of mented, surface extent of Indonesia (nearly 50° Semarang society between 1870 and 1900, and of longitude by 17° of latitude), coupled with relates the rise and decline of this port to both its great variety of cultures, has ensured no internal Javanese circumstances and fluctua­ inconsiderable diversity in its urban forms dur­ tions in world markets; while the final his­ ing all phases of their evolution. Although torical paper, by Erica Bogaers and Peter de some of these forms, or aspects of them, have Ruijter, is a study of the thought and influence been the subject of literary descriptions for the of the architect and city planner Thomas past three centuries, analytical investigation of Karsten (1884-1945). Indonesian urbanism came of age only with the Although the remainder of the book deals publication in 1958 of The Indonesian Town: with contemporary cities, it is linked to what Studies in Urban Sociology, a collection of pre­ has gone before by a second paper on Karsten, World War II papers in English translation this time an analysis by the editor of the impli­ edited by W. F. Wertheim. The lines of in­ cations of that author's ideas for present-day quiry pioneered in that volume still constitute planning and developmental sociology. There the main streams of research on the Indonesian follow three papers dealing explicitly with city, even though they have been greatly aug­ aspects of city planning: an evaluation of the mented in recent decades. Indonesian and Dutch collaborative JABOTA­ This is the regional context and research BEK Gakarta-Bogor-Tangerang-Bekasi) met­ tradition to which The Indonesian City pertains. ropolitan planning project by Lambert Giebels; The book comprises basically 15 papers pre­ the use of air photography in the upgrading of sented at a workshop sponsored by the [Dutch] urban quarters (kampung) by Victor Polle and Research Community on Third World Urban Paul Hofstee; and a discussion of public par­ Development (Werkgemeenschap Urbane Ont­ ticipation in the provision of what are known wikkeling in Ontwikkelingslanden) in October in Java as semipublic MCKs (mandi-cuci-kakus) 1983. An editorial introduction provides an -sanitary facilities for the urban poor. initial conspectus of the characteristics of the At this point the prevailing emphasis shifts Indonesian city and of the progress of research to the informal sector of urban life, charac­ into its problems. terized by small-scale, labor-intensive family The first four chapters are concerned with organization, a focus that gives considerable historical themes. In the first of these (they are coherence to the seven papers constituting the not formally numbered) the editor offers a fair­ second half of the book. As an introduction to ly conventional overview of the precolonial the new level of analysis, Joep Bijlmer advances city in the territories now comprising the a series of suggestions for improving the ade­ Republic of Indonesia. Then Heather Suther- quacy and comparability of household budget 296 Asian Perspectives, xxvn(2), 1986-1987 studies among the urban poor. Then Gerard tiated system of interrelationships in which Persoon uses a case study of the Minangkabau components of the capitalist mode are nearly in Jakarta to cast doubt on the belief that the everywhere combined with elements of the city invariably functions as a melting pot for non-capitalist mode. immigrants. Conforming to the emphasis on An extremely valuable feature of the book is the informal sector, Ton Brunsveld discrimi­ the bibliography compiled by Otto van den nates locational from sectoral issues in soy-bean Muijzenberg and the editor. Of the approxi­ cake (tahu and tempe) manufacture in Bekasi, mately 750 entries, 334 are in Indonesian, the WestJakarta, and Tangerang; he argues for the rest in European languages with English pre­ priority of alleviation of local site problems­ dominating. In addition, references are fur­ access to fresh water, disposal of waste water, nished at the end of each chapter, and some­ and security of land title-over planning for times explanatory notes as well. It should be sectoral development as a whole. Hans Versnel, noted, though, that duplication of titles in a sociological analysis of the hitherto between the main bibliography and the chapter neglected occupation of scavenging, draws references is minimal, the former incorporating conclusions relevant to a wider context than only specific references to Indonesian cities, the the districts of Bandung where he carried out latter providing predominantly more general his research. Not the least interesting ofthese is background material. The editor has also the contention that workers in this sector are appended a glossary of Indonesian and Dutch not so much independent entrepreneurs as cogs terms (including acronyms), which effectively in an intricate hierarchical system of informal obviates the need for a good deal of dictionary economic, social, and ethnic relationships. consultation. Much the same point is made by M. H. Sannen The usefulness of this volume resides not in an insightful investigation of the relation­ only in the information it provides about cur­ ships between subcontractors (mandur) and rent research on Indonesian urbanism but also construction laborers (tukang) working in labor (and more so) in its prescriptions for future gangs in the same city. investigation. The book is, in fact, a respon­ The last two chapters in the volume both sible and sustained critique of received scholar­ question the prevailingly static manner in ship in the field. And it collectively sets the which relations between the formal and the in­ Indonesian city in its total societal context, formal sectors are usually conceived. Pieter van depicting it as the locale in which the proper­ Dijk, in a highly perceptive study of a small ties of a larger social system are concentrated town in central]ava, finds it more profitable to and manifested with especial clarity. At the recast the dichotomy in terms of what he calls same time it makes available to the English­ formalization and informalization processes. speaking reader a great deal of technical litera­ This conceptual framework focuses directly on ture not widely known in this country. Hav­ the factors interacting to produce the dualistic ing offered this meed of praise, I must also situation and consequently emphasizes the record that the title of the book promises more dynamics of the system, as well as throwing than the text delivers. In the first place, the new light on the complicated interactions of expositions focus almost exclusively on Java. government policy and social change. Milan Only the paper on colonial Makassar and a few Titus, Wouter de Jong, and Frank van Steen­ paragraphs on Sri Vijaya in the chapter on pre­ bergen carry this criticism yet farther in refin­ colonial urbanism venture outside that island. ing the dualistic distinction to the point where This is, of course, a continuing reflection into they virtually reject it altogether. These modern times of the persistent ecological dis­ authors view the economic structure of a series tinction between Java and the so-called Outer of small towns in the Serayu valley as reflecting Islands. Scholarly curiosity is not unnaturally the interpenetration of external capitalist and attracted to the area manifesting the highest indigenous small-scale, labor-intensive modes degree of current urban development, which is of production, both within the towns them­ Java. (It is true, though, that the urbanization selves and within their dependent rural areas. process appears to be progressing more rapidly Their analysis elicits a more highly differen- in the Outer Islands.) In the second place, the BOOK REVIEWS 297

book addresses only a limited sector of the field urbanists, whose principal contribution to the of urban studies: in spite of the inclusion of field of comparative urban development, I four chapters on historical themes, the empha­ would suggest, is their analysis of the informal sis falls overwhelmingly on developmental sector-even though, or perhaps because, some sociology and city planning. In this respect, the of them are depriving that sector of a great deal book is an accurate reflection of the pre­ of the autonomy that it was formerly thought dominant concerns of present-day Indonesian to possess.

Archaeological Geology. George Rapp, Jr., andJohn A. Gifford. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1985.

Reviewed by Patricia Price-Beggerly, University of Hawaii

This volume is a collection of 14 chapters tence, settlement, and cultural change are best devoted to aspects of geology that are relevant addressed within an ecological paradigm and to archaeology. In addition to chapter ref­ presents an overview of how earth scientists erences, the editors present a 53-page selective may assist in these studies. Bullard reports the bibliography of archaeological geology publi­ use of an "ethno-sedimentary" model to inter­ cations arranged by topic. pret unusual stratiform deposits that he infers Rapp and Gifford present a brief introduc­ to be the result ofpast human behavior in Israel tory discussion of the interface between geol­ and Tunisia. Methods for the identification of ogy and archaeology: its history, philosophy, anthrosols, soils whose physical characteristics and perspectives. They note the difference have been altered by human activity, are dis­ between the terms geoarchaeology and archaeo­ cussed in detail by Eidt. An appendix is in­ logical geology as defined by Butzer (1982:5) cluded in this chapter that provides "cook­ and explain the basis for this volume's title. In book" instructions for several soil measure­ Butzer's paradigm, "geoarchaeology" is ar­ ments. King demonstrates the use of quantita­ chaeology aided by geological methodology tive pollen analysis to interpret how humans while "archaeological geology" is "geology living in central Illinois c. 8000-3000 years ago pursued with an archaeological bias or applica­ adjusted to their changing environment. Wey­ tion." The editors emphasize that this volume mouth and Huggins describe the use of mag­ "takes a disciplinary stance that is more geo­ netic and resistivity survey instruments to con­ logical than archaeological" and is therefore duct subsurface archaeological site location and correctly titled "archaeological geology" (p. mapping. 15). The remaining chapters are more specific in Seven of the chapters are general overviews nature. Tarling discusses the use of archaeo­ that describe how interdisciplinary studies with magnetism for dating, raw material sourcing, earth scientists may aid archaeological research. and ancient manufacturing studies. Steen­ Davidson emphasizes the need to evaluate the McIntyre explains how tephra samples are col­ physical landscape with reference to the tech­ lected, analyzed, and dated. Folk and Valastro nological and economic level of the culture present a refined method of radiocarbon dating being studied. Kraft, Kayan, and Aschen­ lime mortars. Kamilli and Steinberg present brenner present research that demonstrates laboratory methods that identify patterns in how sedimentological and geomorphological ceramic provenance, transport, and the devel­ theories, models, and methods may be utilized opment of ancient ceramic technology. Herz to evaluate the impact of coastal processes on demonstrates the value of a stable-isotopic sig­ archaeological sites. Hassan argues that con­ nature technique for sourcing marble. Rapp temporary archaeological issues such as subsis- concludes the volume with an overview of 298 Asian Perspectives, xxvn(2), 1986-1987 provenance research and a discussion of the difficult presentations in physics and chemistry. importance of developing more powerful The extensive bibliographic entries in each statistical techniques with which to analyze the chapter and the appendix make it an extremely data. useful reference volume. Archaeological Geology is an excellent text for an upper division university course, REFERENCE especially if the instructor is qualified to expand upon the information contained in the more BUTZER, K. W. 1982 Archaeology as Human Ecology. Cam­ general articles and explain some of the more bridge: Cambridge University Press.

Encyclopaedia ofIndian Culture, Volume III (L-Q). R. N. Saletore. New Delhi: Sterling Publishers, 1983. Pp. xi + 815-1204, 16 plates. (Distributed by Humanities Press, Inc., Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey.)

Reviewed by Susan 1. Huntington, Ohio State University

The Encyclopaedia of Indian Culture is an am­ matics, religion, superstition, folk-lore, drama, bitious and commendable project, but the final dramaturgy, erotics, mythology, and many product is disappointing. Not only is it marred other similar and correlated subjects" from by unclear writing, misspellings, grammatical earliest recorded times to the nineteenth cen­ mistakes, punctuation and typographical er­ tury. The vast majority of entries consist of rors, and incorrect alphabetization of a number proper nouns (names of persons, dynasties, of entries, but a great many of the definitions peoples, places, literary works, and so on), are confusing, the selection of topics for inclu­ and, therefore, the coverage of the above men­ sion is uneven, and there is a lack of consistent tioned topics is highly restricted. The dis­ balance between entries. Since a great deal of organized way in which these subjects are research went into the creation of this volume, listed in the Preface-they are neither grouped these shortcomings are most unfortunate. Sim­ by related subjects nor alphabetized-charac­ ply, the volume went to press before it had terizes the lack of attention to detail, logic, and been properly finalized, before it was carefully organization seen throughout the book. Im­ edited, and, apparently, before it had been read precision in thinking is exemplified by the by others knowledgeable in the subject matter author's claim that every topic in the Encyclo­ who might have made valuable suggestions for paedia is discussed "from three angles, namely, improvement. While the author boasts that the Brahmanical, Buddhist and Jaina" (p. vii). Encyclopaedia "is the work of one writer with­ However, every item is clearly not discussed out the assistance from either a band of special­ from all three points of view (for example, the ists, or assistants or financial patronage from word OM [sic for OM] is used in all three any quarter" (p. viii), this book is a clear religions, but the definition provides only the example of a work that would have benefited use of the word in the Hindu context [po greatly from the expert advice of others. 1084]); further, some items are strictly related This volume, which includes entries for L to only one of the religions, and thus the through Q. is the third in a proposed five­ author's claim is invalid. The author further volume set. The subjects covered as comprising says that "every topic is viewed from each "Indian culture" are (in the unsystematic religion's artistic, philosophic, political and order listed in the Preface, pp. vii-viii): "art, aesthetic viewpoints" (p. vii), which is neither history, geography, mathematics, chemistry, ideal nor possible, since some topics do not astrology, astronomy, architecture, sculpture, encompass all these aspects, and, indeed, many painting, music, dancing, literature, numis- subjects included do not have anything to do BOOK REVIEWS 299

with religion, such as the names of dynasties or (and last) definition apparently includes both of places. Contradictory statements in the Preface the last items listed-that is, "a people" and further suggest that the author did not clearly "a deity." Similar confusion occurs elsewhere; define his subject ("Islam has not been entirely the explanation of Prajniiparamita (sic for or purposely ignored" [po vii], but "the only Prajfiaparamita) , for example, is given as "An lacuna in this work is absence of Muslim Cul­ embodiment of the Mahayana scripture, the ture [sic] in all its aspects" [po viii].) (In this Buddhist goddess of transcendental wisdom, a regard, it is noteworthy that perhaps the long­ deity" (p. 1166) but then follows two defini­ est single entry in the volume is the twenty tions, not three. (However, in the entry for pages devoted to the term Mughals [pp. Piyadisi [sic] [po 1159], the author does not 980-1000].) indicate that the term has more than one usage Perhaps the major problem with this proj­ but runs together in a single paragraph without ect is that the author does not communicate separation or numbering a reference to King clearly; often, the reader does not know what Asoka as Piyadasi and an explanation of the he intends to say. Problems range from state­ term in relation to the thirteenth of the ments that are unclear ("In the selection of twenty-four Buddhas.) Other examples (and every topic considerable care has been taken to there are many) of similarly confusing defini­ ensure its inclusion after judicial examination tions when a term has more than one usage and critical analysis of the vast material in include: Niigarjuna (p. 1018); Nakula (p. which research had to be made" [po vii]) to 1029); Niitha (p. 1061, where the use of the more general and pervasive problems that same format is used to present not alternatives plague the volume throughout. Foremost but equivalents); Nandi (p. 1051). among these, since it affects a vast number of A further enumeration and explanation of entries, is the confusing "system" used for problems in the volume include entries that have multiple meanings or usages. The standard that should have been followed 1. The volume is inconsistent in the use of a occurs, for example, in the entry for mayiira transliteration system (both ch and care (pp. 954-956), wherein the word is first de­ used, for example Chandragupta appears as fined, and then its three usages are given. a heading on p. 947 but Candragupta is However, generally one finds an entry name used in the text following). without any explanation of the meaning of the 2. Typographical errors abound throughout term, followed by a statement like "A name the book; these are especially lamentable borne by more than one person." (See, for when they occur as the main entry head­ example, Medhatl-ti, pp. 956-957.) This, then, ings. Examples include Nillanda for is followed by an enumeration of the different Niilandii (p. 1306); Miank$i for Minak~i individuals bearing the name and discussion of (p. 965). each. Especially confusing are entries where a 3. Some entries are out of alphabetical order particular word refers to several different appears before things. At best, the author provides a list of (Magadha Maga; maIJ4apa uses, followed by what is apparently intended and Manda Pilla appear before Manda to .be a corresponding series of numbered KarlJi). explanations. At worst, the list and the num­ 4. There is a lack of balance and proportion bered explanations do not correspond. For between entries. For example, the infor­ example, the term naga is defined as "A ser­ mation for Odantapuri (p. 1083) is mini­ pent, an official, a tree, a flower, a people, a mal, but the entries for Nuniz and Paes are deity" (p. 1006), leading the reader to expect very lengthy (pp. 1079 and 1091, respec­ six explanations of the word. However, only tively). The author had done previous five numbered explanations are provided, the work on Vijayanagar, and one wonders if first explaining the term as a snake, the second the extensive information on Nuniz and supposedly explaining the term as an official Paes is a result of that previous work (but, in fact, the term used in this second con­ rather than an attempt to keep entries in text is nagaraka, not naga), and so on. The fifth proportion. 300 Asian Perspectives, xxvII(2), 1986-1987

5. There are many problems with the subject term refers to a single dynasty that ruled headings. Some main headings are listed in in both Bengal/Bihar and in Kamarupa. the plural (for example, Mauryas instead of Upon reading further, however, one Maurya, p. 947). For consistency and in learns that there were two dynasties, the order to avoid confusion with words that second of which is not discussed until p. end in "s," main entries should have been 1095. It should also be noted that a full listed in the singular. Some main headings paragraph of the Pala entry is devoted to are also confusing because the author did discussion of the Sena dynasty (which not use commas following the last name should be discussed under the Sentries). of an individual (Nuniz Fernao should be All that needed to be stated at the Pala Nuniz, Fernao [po 1079] and Paes Dom­ entry was that the Senas ruled after the ingos should be Paes, Domingos [po palas. 1091]); thus, the reader who is unfamiliar 9. Basic factual information is not provided with these two individuals will be con­ in a systematic way from entry to entry. fused as to the correct form of the names. Certain information, such as the date To further complicate matters, all entry when a particular individual lived, should headings are presented in all capital letters, occur early in an entry, perhaps even as making it difficult to determine whether part of the first information provided. an entry is a generic term or a specific one, The date given for paI).ini, for example, a noun or a proper noun. (This would be does not occur until a page and a half into less of a problem if the definitions were the entry (pp. 1116-1120). Similarly, the clearer.) Examples include Purandhar (p. Pallava entry (pp. 1095-1099) provides a 1187), which is defined as "a fort" but it list of kings, but the Pala one does not is unclear that the word is not a generic though the names and order of the Pala term until the next sentence. The same is kings are well established. Parallel entries true for Nimadefis (p. 1048). (such as dynastic entries) should have been 6. The relationship between the text and the treated in a similar, systematic fashion plates is not apparent. (The text does not whenever possible. seem to refer to the plates.) The list of 10. The entries for the various branches of the plates is arranged alphabetically by main Paramara dynasty are particularly con­ subject. This would lead one to conclude fusing. The first entry, simply called that each of these alphabetized titles Paramaras (p. 1121) begins with the state­ (which run from L through R, not L ment: "Of Gujarat, Malwa and Rajpu­ through Q, as does the volume) would tana [sic]" without explaining that this appear as a main heading in the book, but was a dynastic name. Eventually, the this is not the case. reader is able to infer this. In the second 7. Some definitions, aside from being un­ paragraph, the author enumerates the sev­ clear, are also misleading. The definition eral branches of the family but does not of Odantapuri ("A centre of Tantric learn­ explain that these will be treated in subse­ ing in modern Bihar") suggests that this quent, separate entries. (The fact that the center of tantric learning exists today in separate branches are treated in distinct Bihar, whereas it existed in the Pala period entries breaks with the author's usual pat­ at a place now contained within the boun­ tern of subsuming variants of an entry daries of modern Bihar state. (See p. into a main entry heading.) Without 1083.) cross-referencing to the subsequent entries (or from. the subsequent entries back to 8. The definition for the Pala dynasty (pp. the main entry for Paramaras), the reader 1093-1095) is unclear. It begins: "Protec­ is left to organize the Paramara entries tor. The name of a dynasty which ruled in himself. Bengal and Biha [sic] and in Kamarupa (Assam)." The sentence implies that the 11. Some incorrect and out-of-date informa- BOOK REvIEwS 301

tion occurs. The term Dhyani Buddha is name, incidentally, is spelled incorrectly incorrect and should have been replaced in the heading). Why were these two withjina Buddha (p. 1109); the term sakti entries combined? is not correctly used in Buddhism and p. 969 Mohenjo Daro. The first sentence should have been Prajfla instead (pp. 1101, for this entry is: "Sindhi-the mound of 1109). At least one factual problem occurs the dead." Since virtually none of the regarding" the plates. The label for the other entries tell which language a word is sixth photograph in the book (it is num­ in, it is unclear to the reader that the bered five in the list of plates, but a plate author is defining a word that is in the numbered 2a had been inserted between Sindhi language. plates 2 and 3) incorrectly labels a sculp­ p. 974 Moriya. The author implies but ture as being from Tanjore and of the does not explain that the name Moriya is Cola period; however, it is a Piila piece equivalent to Maurya but uses the terms from Bengal. interchangeably. This would be very con­ fusing to the nonspecialist reader. 12. In addition to the clarity problems already p. 1063 Navagraha. The author seems mentioned, the following selections are to imply that the list of deities comprising also noteworthy: the dikpalas is identical to that comprising p. 822 Lakulisa. The first two sen­ the Navagrahas. If this is what he intends, tences are contradictory. [They read: "A it is simply incorrect. renowned religious teacher. There were p. 1071 Nilakantha (sic). The term is two teachers with the same name.' 'J never defined as "blue throat," so that p. 852 Miidhava-Madhva. Here, the the reader has to infer its meaning in rela­ reader has to infer that the two terms refer tion to the explanation. to alternative spellings of a single term and not a hyphenated term. Even more In sum, compared with other dictionary/ confusing is the fact that both spellings are encyclopedia projects already in existence for used (at random?) in the explanation that India (though its scope is broader than, for follows. example, Benjamin Walker's Hindu World: An p. 898 Miinasii-Miinasarovara. This is a Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism [London: completely unclear entry. The hyphenated George Allen & Unwin, Ltd., 1968,2 vols.]), heading suggests that the two terms are this project pales in terms of readability, clarity, either equivalent or are used together. The and reliability. Readers who are unfamiliar first definition incorrectly refers to Lake with the materials will be at a special disadvan­ Manasarovara while the second definition tage since they are not always able to infer refers to the goddess Manasa (whose what the author meant.

European Vision and the South Pacific. Bernard Smith. 2nd Edition. New Haven: Yale Uni­ versity Press. xiii + 370 pp., 32 color plates, 222 black-and-white plates. Hardcover.

Reviewed by Ross Cordy, Department ofLand and Natural Resources, State ofHawaii

This book was first published in 1960, as Euro­ and some new comments have been added. pean Vision and the South Pacific, 1768-1850. On an initial glance, the American reader According to the new preface, more illustra­ might perceive this book to be a "coffee table" tions have been added, some errors have been art volume, with an oversized format and corrected, the bibliography has been updated, attractive illustrations. The book is indeed 302 Asian Perspectives, xxvu(2), 1986-1987 lavishly illustrated, but it is much more than a models are inherently bad.) One potential "coffee table" item. The author makes this source of historical information is the illustra­ quite clear in his Preface, which should be read. tions from this period. Most archaeologists­ It talks of Kuhn and Scientific Revolutions. being self-taught historians-realize there are The volume itself runs from Cook's first weaknesses in the written documents, with voyage to the expeditions of d'Urville and some observers being less accurate than others. Wilkes and from neoclassical noble savage There is also a very general realization of philosophy through evolution and scientific similar problems with the illustrative docu­ documentation to the evangelical influence of ments, although there seems to be less under­ the 18OOs. Two major themes are developed. standing of how to handle these problems. One shows how new information gathered Smith's volume quite clearly points out the from the Pacific influenced European scientific nature of some of these problems-at the gen­ and philosophical thinking-and the important eral levels of painting approaches of the day, role of the artwork as one source of informa­ the alterations in the artwork's passage from tion. Another theme focuses on the interplay originals to published engravings, and the idio­ between Pacific artwork and general painting syncratic differences and abilities of the artists. approaches in Europe. These themes are clearly Equally important, Smith places the context of and well developed; the author very nicely por­ these problems and written weaknesses in the trays the several, competing general trends of setting of European publishing, audiences, and the time and at the same time provides insight scientific theory. on the individual artists. I feel that this volume can serve as an excel­ As Asian Perspectives is largely an archaeo­ lent source book for the Pacific archaeologist to logical journal, I would like to note a few start to perceive how to handle the illustrative points relevant to the archaeologist. As an record. It is also an important scientific con­ archaeologist interested in the late prehistoric tribution toward understanding the role of and early historic periods of the Pacific, I have Pacific research in the larger history of Euro­ long felt that the early historic records are pean scientific theory. In brief, it provides a critical data sources for building models of pre­ wider perspective, which as Beaglehole stated history and early history, for interpreting in his review of the 1st Edition, " ... helps us, finds, and for an overall understanding of the who live in the Pacific, to see our world as part cultures. (Indeed, I am disappointed that the of the world at large." For those of us who historical record is used so minimally by have not seen the first edition, I highly recom­ archaeologists, often under the excuse that it mend this edition. leads to analogous models and that these

The Archaeology ofFuga Moro Island-New Approaches for the Isolation and Explanation of Diagnostic Ceramic Assemblages in Northern Luzon, Philippines. Bryan E. Snow and Richard Shutler, Jr., with contributions by ten others. Cebu City, Philippines: San Carlos Pub­ lications, University of San Carlos. Humanities Series No. 15. 1985. 32 tables, 3 appen­ dixes, 27 figures, 36 plates. Softcover. Ten contributors.

Reviewed by Barbara Thiel, Northern Kentucky University

This monograph presents the results of pottery Northeast Luzon. The authors' general prob­ analysis from excavations on Fuga Moro lem was to determine how various previously Island, located off the north coast of Northeast excavated sites in northern Luzon relate to the Luzon, and from survey collections from near­ prehistory and social evolution of northern by Palaui Island and the area of San Vicente on Luzon and the Philippines in general. They BOOK REVIEWS 303

found this problem difficult to work on for analysis of four types of variability: stylistic, two reasons: (1) there is little excavated archae­ morphological, technological, and raw ological material, particularly ceramics, dating material. A detailed account of the analysis is after 2000 B.P., and (2) most of the archaeo­ presented. Morphological analysis includes logical and ethnographic ceramics seem to be vessel form and size. Technological analysis undecorated, so the usual ceramic analysis includes construction techniques, secondary based on decoration types cannot be used to forming, and paste characteristics. Raw differentiate one group from another. material analysis includes petrographic analysis, In order to work on their general problem an inclusion size study, and a trace element they decided three things needed to be done: analysis. There was limited stylistic variability "a) we had to be able first to recognize earth­ present to analyze, only some surface polishing enwares that were subsequent to the An­ and slipping. darayan and other early assemblages, b) we had On the basis of the various analyses the to locate and archaeologically sample a site that sherds are divided into three major and six not only contained such ceramics but, ideally, minor wares and various types of these wares. contained other earthenware varieties as well so The authors are able to demonstrate that there our impression of the potential ceramic varia­ is considerable variability in an earthenware bility within the region would be maximized, assemblage that, if using standard analysis tech­ c) we had to develop an analytical approach niques, would generally be thought to have lit­ that would allow us to differentiate among tle variability, or a more limited range of varia­ largely undecorated earthenwares, and, ifpossi­ bility than is actually present. This is important ble, to associate these earthenwares with ethno­ because it gives a more accurate description of graphically known peoples or areas, thereby the archaeological record and increases our data initiating a direct historical approach to the base that can be used when working on a vari­ prehistory of the region" (p. 2). They decided ety of archaeological problems. that the ceramic samples from Fuga Moro con­ In the final chapter the authors compare the stituted a good collection for their purposes. prehistoric pottery with ethnographic pottery. The next step was to "develop an analytical They provisionally assign the three major approach which would permit the isolation of wares and one minor ware to ethnolinguistic diagnostic earthenware assemblages." Because groups and/or regions primarily on the basis of the pottery was undecorated, they could not production sequences and technological details, rely on traditional methods of decorative or stylistics, and petrographic analysis. They sug­ morphological criteria. They were also inter­ gest and discuss three major earthenware tradi­ ested in studying and explaining the "ceramic tions in northern Luzon. All contain red variability in terms of its context within a tech­ slipped, predominately undecorated earthen­ nological and behavioral system." ware, but they are differentiated on the com­ The volume includes a brief chapter on the bined basis of technological and raw material geology of Fuga Moro Island and a chapter variability. describing the field work. One excavated site The volume is important because it dis­ and five survey sites are reported on. Earthen­ cusses another way of obtaining valuable data ware sherds constitute the bulk of the material, about earthenware assemblages. The analysis with very few other cultural remains. The por­ techniques are particularly useful for ceramics celain, stoneware, and a few other artifacts are that have little stylistic variability, although described in appendixes. The remainder of the they would add important data about any volume is devoted to the earthenware analysis. ceramic assemblage. Also, the suggested earth­ Because of the problem they were working enware traditions in northern Luzon are inter­ on, they wanted to "develop an analytical esting hypotheses that could guide future approach which would permit the isolation of research. The volume should be of interest to diagnostic earthenware assemblages, " and they anyone interested in Philippine prehistory or had to do this using undecorated sherds. The ceramic analysis. analytical method they devised is based on an 304 Asian Perspectives, xxvu(2), 1986-1987

Palaeoanthropology and Palaeolithic Archaeology in the People's Republic of China. Rukang Wu and John W. Olsen, editors. New York: Academic Press, 1985. xxviii + 293 pp., illustrations, tables, index. $54. Hardcover.

Reviewed by Michael Pietrusewsky, University ofHawaii

This splendidly edited volume commemorates, Xinzhi and Wang Linghong discuss the his­ in 1984, the 55th anniversary of the first dis­ tory of chronometric dating and points of dis­ coveries of Homo erectus at Zhoukoudian. Eigh­ agreement for some of the more important teen authors, sixteen of whom are members of Palaeolithic and fossil ape localities in China. the Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and The Miocene sites from Yunnan Province Palaeoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese which contain the important Lufeng homi­ Academy of Sciences in Beijing, present origi­ noids fossils (Ramapithecus and Sivapitheeus) are nal articles summarizing the current state of discussed in a paper by Wu Rukang and Xu knowledge in studies of human evolution and Qinghua. Gigantopitheeus and "Australopitheeus" Pleistocene archaeology in the People's Repub­ remains from several localities in Guangxi and lic of China. A Sino-American (although the Hubei, including the first mandibular remains junior co-editor is the only American con­ of Gigantopitheeus from Liucheng, are the sub­ tributor) cooperative project, this volume sur­ ject of Zhang Yinyun's survey paper. The veys two decades of intensive palaeoanthro­ weight of the evidence now seems to favor pological and archaeological research in China Homo ereetus status of the controversial reviewing previous as well as recently acquired "australopithecine" molar teeth found in data. Being written in English, this volume association with Gigantopitheeus. also fills a void by presenting information The chapter on Homo ereetus in China by which would otherwise be unaccessible to non­ W u Rukang and Dong Xingren provides a Chinese scholars. fairly comprehensive overview of this impor­ After a brief foreword by F. Clark Howell tant material including the recent well­ and a preface, the book is divided into two preserved cranium and other remains from main sections containing a total of fifteen chap­ Hexian, Anhui. All discoveries of pre-late ters. Five chapters in the first section are Palaeolithic (= early Homo sapiens) were made devoted to pongid and hominid palaeonto­ after 1949. These are summarized in the logical research while the remaining seven chapter by Wu Xinzhi and Wu Maolin. The chapters concentrate on Pleistocene prehistoric numerous remains of Homo sapiens from late archaeology. As acknowledged in the editors' Palaeolithic and Neolithic China are sum­ preface, the present compilation also serves as marized in an extensive article by Wu Xinzhi an important forum for communicating the and Zhang Zhenbiao. Many excellent photo­ ideas and interpretations of the leading figures graphs, maps, and tables of cranial measure­ in Chinese palaeoanthropology and Paleolithic ments accompany this last paper. archaeology directly to the international schol­ Jia Lanpo discusses the earliest Palaeolithic arly community. The volume is richly illus­ assemblages from four localities in China. trated with many line drawings and photo­ Three chapters survey archaeological research graphs of fossil and archaeological specimens. of the Early (Zhang Senshui), Middle (Qiu Maps indicating many of the important fossil Zhonglang) and Late Oia Lanpo and Huang and archaeological sites are given as endpapers. Weiwen) Palaeolithic. Microlithic industries in The articles are arranged in chronological China is the subject of Gai Pei's informative sequence. chapter while Wang Yuping of the Inner The first chapter, by Wu Rukang and Lin Mongolian Museum, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Shenglong, provides a historical survey of the Autonomous Region, and John W. Olsen palaeontological and archaeological finds from summarize research in Inner Mongolia includ­ China, including some recent discoveries and ing the quarry-workshop site at Dayao near priorities for future research in China. An Hohhot, one of the most important Pleistocene extensive bibliography is also given. Wu archaeological sites yet discovered. A shorter BOOK REvIEWS 305 chapter written by Jia Lanpo and Huang sions of nationalism that might have otherwise Weiwen summarizes the Palaeolithic cultural marred these contributions. The editors and tradition in China. The final chapter, by Han contributors are to be congratulated for pro­ Defen and Xu Chunhua, discusses China's viding such an extensive overview of the cur­ Quaternary mammalian faunas, using twenty­ rent accomplishments in palaeoanthropology seven assemblages selected from the lower to and palaeolithic archaeology in the People's upper Pleistocene. Republic of China. It is hoped that similar To the credit of the contributors to this vol­ cooperative endeavors, including those involv­ ume, most of whom are members of the same ing basic research, will be contemplated in the Institute, differences of opinion are expressed. near future. Also to their credit is the absence of any expres-