Humans Settled Earlier In Australia's Remote Outback
Rukhshan Mir (@rukhshanmir) Published November 02, 2016 | 11:20 PM
SYDNEY,, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 02nd Nov, 2016 ) - Humans started to settle inland Australia 10,000 years earlier than previously believed, scientists said Thursday, after discovering thousands of artefacts and bones in a rock shelter in the remote outback.
People are thought to have arrived in Australia around 50,000 years ago. But the timing of their settlement in the arid interior, their use of tools and their interaction with ancient animals has been under debate.
The researchers said the discoveries in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia, 450 kilometres (280 miles) from the state capital Adelaide, showed that humans occupied the site from 49,000 to 46,000 years ago.
"We present evidence from Warratyi rock shelter in the southern interior that shows that humans occupied arid Australia by around (49,000 years ago), (10,000 years) earlier than previously reported," the report published in the journal Nature said.
The objects recovered from layers of sediment also represented the earliest-known use in Australia of technologies such as bone tools (40,000 to 38,000 years ago) and pigments like red ochre (49,000 to 46,000 years ago).
"It complements the work that has been done on Australia's coasts. It fits in with this threshold of dates... between 45,000 and 50,000 (years ago)," research archaeologist Giles Hamm from South Australia's La Trobe University, the study's lead researcher, told reporters.
"What is different about it is it's the southern-most oldest site in the continent ... it shows that people are moving very quickly around the continent and in the interior part of the continent.
"If people are coming in at 50,000 (years ago), it means that people are moving in a whole range of directions perhaps. And we've got some new genetic evidence that might be also adding data to that question." The study -- which also involved the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and Clifford Coulthard from the Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association -- recovered 4,300 artefacts, three kilogrammes (6.6 Pounds) of bones, ochre and plant matter.
A recovered bone chunk was identified as coming from a Diprotodon optatum, the largest-known marsupial, while an eggshell was linked to a giant extinct bird, suggesting that humans were interacting with ancient animals, megafauna expert Gavin Prideaux from Flinders University said.
"Humans evidently lived alongside these animals and hunted them, so the idea that there wasn't any interaction between people and these animals is put to bed now," Prideaux added.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 3 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 03 May 2024
Dar for joint action to counter Islamophobia in context of Israeli aggression ag ..
Azam Tarar urges for effective implementation of Action Plan for Human Rights
PAF cadets' graduation ceremony held
One-day national seminar "Great Power Competition: Challenges and Opportunities ..
10 firms submit LoIs for PIA: Aleem Khan
Saudi Arabia launches Nusuk pilgrim card for the Hajj of 2024
High Commissioner Hawkins hosts reception to mark 'Australia Day in Spring'
PM forms inquiry committee to probe matter of wheat import
E-Evidence system inaugurated in Bahawalnagar district courts
Bitterness at UCLA as Gaza protest cleared
More Stories From World
-
Tens of thousands protest against Georgia 'foreign influence' bill
5 minutes ago -
Fierceness, Sierra Leone top Kentucky Derby field with Baffert banned
15 minutes ago -
England's Wallace fires 63 to grab CJ Cup Byron Nelson lead
15 minutes ago -
Knicks edge 76ers, book NBA 2nd round clash with Pacers
15 minutes ago -
Postecoglou admits Spurs have 'lost belief' as top four bid fades
15 minutes ago -
Fierceness, Sierra Leone top Kentucky Derby field with Bafftert banned
45 minutes ago
-
Chelsea shatter Spurs' top four bid
45 minutes ago -
China to launch first probe to return samples from Moon's far side
55 minutes ago -
England's Wallace fires 63 to grab CJ Cup Byron Nelson lead
55 minutes ago -
UN General Assembly declares May 24 as int'l day of Markhor, Pakistan' national animal
1 hour ago -
UN chief demands better protection for journalists on environment beat
1 hour ago -
Champion Sabalenka sets up Swiatek rematch in Madrid Open final
1 hour ago