The First Astronomers: How Indigenous Elders read the stars

by Duane Hamacher

The First Astronomers is the first book to reveal the rich knowledge of the stars and the planets held by First Peoples around the world.

Shortlisted, Best Nonfiction, Indie Book Awards

Our eyes have been drawn away from the skies to our screens. We no longer look to the stars to forecast the weather, predict the seasons or plant our gardens. Most of us cannot even see the Milky Way. But First Nations Elders around the world still maintain this knowledge, and there is much we can learn from them.

These Elders are expert observers of the stars. They teach that everything on the land is reflected in the sky, and everything in the sky is reflected on the land. How does this work, and how can we better understand our place in the universe?

Guided by six First Nations Elders, Duane Hamacher takes us on a journey across space and time to reveal the wisdom of the first astronomers. These living systems of knowledge challenge conventional ideas about the nature of science and the longevity of oral tradition. Indigenous science is dynamic, adapting to changes in the skies and on Earth, pointing the way for a world facing the profound disruptions of climate change.

'This book marks a profound paradigm shift in our understanding of Indigenous scientific traditions, how they are transmitted, and their relevance to life today.' - Professor Marcia Langton, University of Melbourne

'A ground-breaking book of enormous scope.' - Brian Schmidt, Nobel Laureate in Physics

'A glimpse into Indigenous ways of reading landscapes reflected in the night sky through ancient processes of inquiry.' - Dr Tyson Yunkaporta, author of Sand Talk

'A wonderful combination of scholarship and poetry.' - Dr Annette S. Lee, Lakota astrophysicist

'Beautiful, engaging, and startlingly profound.' - Alan Duffy, Professor of Astrophysics

Writer and gardener Jaclyn Crupi shows us that protecting and fostering precious native wildlife starts in our own backyards. The first step: start planting! And choose native plants where possible. This alone presents endless opportunities for habitat creation - sometimes it's the smallest actions that make the biggest difference. Providing a well-placed dish of water on a hot day or allowing leaf litter to stay where it falls are among the many other super simple ways you can make your garden more attractive to native birds, bees and butterflies, and in turn benefit all species.

Loads of practical advice for gardeners and novices alike
Detailed planting plans for all types of gardens, from native to exotic, coastal to food forests 
Bird, bee and butterfly galleries to help you identify your visitors

Includes conversations and insights from other beloved Australian garden experts (Jac Semmler, Sam Cox, Hannah Moloney and Clarence Slocklee) in a standout hardback package.