Scientists have found genetic evidence suggesting that the first humans arrived in Australia and New Guinea 60,000 years ago, coinciding with a period when sea levels were lower and land connections existed.
Recent findings in mitochondrial DNA research suggest that humans first settled in Australia and New Guinea around 60,000 years ago. This period coincided with the last ice age when sea levels were much lower, creating land bridges that connected these regions. Researchers from Portugal's Minho University and England's University of Huddersfield are leading studies to provide clearer insights into the migration routes and origins of the ancestors of present-day Indigenous Australians.
The question of when exactly the ancestors of current Indigenous Australians arrived and the routes they took has been a matter of significant debate among scholars and historians for decades. The study aims to shed light on these long-standing questions and to offer a more definitive timeline regarding human migration to one of the earliest inhabited regions of the world. The research considers how climatic conditions and geological changes influenced human settlement and movement.
This new genetic evidence not only adds depth to our understanding of human history in Australia but also highlights the interconnectedness of ancient populations. As this field of study progresses, it could lead to a reevaluation of existing theories about early human migration patterns and the development of societies in Australia and beyond.
