ABSTRACT
Australian prehistorians rely heavily upon analogy to interpret archaeological data. This chapter attempts to show how ethnographic sources can be used to construct analogue models of the pre- and post-contact aboriginal subsistence strategies. The question is particularly relevant to archaeologists, whose raw data usually allow them to infer subsistence behavior more easily than any other aspect of social organization. Most of author's comments are based on work done in Arnhem Land in central north Australia. The chapter is divided into three sections: firstly a brief description of the area is given, secondly the pre- and post-contact aboriginal subsistence strategies are described, and finally the archaeological expression of these strategies is presented. McCarthy and McArthur, studying aboriginal diet, concluded that: 'In the economic field, the main change brought about by contact with Europeans has been the introduction of modern substitutes for objects in daily use. The aborigines have metal tools and weapons; tins are used as containers; calico loincloths are worn'.
