Ancient Australians: Origins and Migration

Ancient Australians: Origins and Migration

Year 7 History Investigating First Nations Australian arrival and adaptation Duration: 30 minutes

Learning Intention & Success Criteria

Learning Intention: Investigate how First Nations Australians arrived and adapted to environments Success Criteria: • Describe migration theories • Explain adaptation to environments • Identify evidence of movement

Think About This...

How do you think the first people reached Australia? What challenges might they have faced? What evidence might they have left behind?

The Out of Africa Theory

All modern humans originated in Africa around 200,000 years ago Groups began migrating to other continents around 100,000 years ago Reached the Middle East, then Asia Eventually spread across the globe Australia was one of the last continents to be reached

Sahul Land Bridge Timeline

The Great Water Crossing

Even with the Sahul land bridge, water crossings of 70-100km were still required First peoples needed boats or rafts This shows advanced planning and technology Demonstrates sophisticated maritime skills No other animals made this crossing naturally

Map Labelling Activity

Using your worksheet: 1. Label modern-day Australia and New Guinea 2. Draw the Sahul land bridge 3. Mark the water crossings that were still required 4. Add arrows showing the likely migration route

Archaeological Evidence

Mungo Man and Mungo Lady (40,000+ years old) Stone tools found across the continent Rock art dating back 65,000 years Shell middens showing coastal adaptation Charcoal evidence of fire management

Stone Tool Technology

{"left":"Simple choppers and scrapers\nMade from local stone materials\nUsed for hunting and food preparation\nEvidence found across Australia","right":"Advanced hafted tools\nSpear points and barbs\nSpecialized regional variations\nShows adaptation to local environments"}

Adapting to Diverse Environments

Australia had many different environments: • Tropical rainforests in the north • Deserts in the center • Temperate forests in the south • Coastal areas around the edges First peoples developed different strategies for each environment

Environmental Adaptation

'The land was not empty. It was shaped by 65,000 years of human presence, knowledge, and care.'

Source Analysis Challenge

Examine the artefacts on your table: 1. What material is it made from? 2. How might it have been used? 3. What does it tell us about the people who made it? 4. What environment might they have lived in? Record your observations on the worksheet