Recent studies indicate that humans may have been using boats for over 10,000 years, sparking a debate among scientists about when exactly they were invented. Mikael Fauvelle, an associate professor at Lund University in Sweden, claims that there is strong evidence of modern humans living in Australia as far back as 50,000 to 65,000 years ago. This period would necessitate some form of watercraft to have crossed open seas between the Asian continent and the now-submerged landscape of Sahul that included Australia. Therefore, it is inferred that people must have utilized some kind of marine transportation long before 10,000 years ago.

The evidence presented does not rely on physical remnants of ancient boats but rather on genetic studies. A recent analysis looked at nearly 2,500 ancient and contemporary Aboriginal genomes from Australia and surrounding countries. This genomic research provides compelling indirect evidence of ancient seafaring practices among early human populations. It suggests that these maritime capabilities contributed to human migration and settlement patterns in Australia, raising questions about the technology and knowledge possessed by early humans.

This research opens up significant implications for understanding human migration and adaptation strategies. If early humans indeed had the ability to construct and navigate watercraft, it challenges traditional narratives about their movements and capabilities. The findings enhance our comprehension of the timeline of human technology and its impact on settlement patterns, showcasing the ingenuity required to cross vast oceanic distances during prehistoric times.