Unearthing Australia’s Ancient Narrative: A 65,000-Year Journey with Deep Time
For generations, Australians have been taught that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have called this continent home for at least 65,000 years. This staggering figure, while widely known, can be difficult to truly comprehend. It prompts us to pause and consider the intricate tapestry of human experience woven over millennia: the daily lives, the cultural practices, the enduring bonds of love, the sustenance of families, the raising of children, the stewardship of the land, the inevitable disagreements, the extensive travels, the pursuit of knowledge, the profound experiences of grief, and the continuous creation of communities, generation after generation. For 65,000 years.
To bridge this understanding gap and illuminate the epic story of Australia’s First Nations peoples, the Story Lab team at ABC News has developed an innovative resource called Deep Time. This is far more than a simple narrative; it’s an interactive tool that masterfully blends the wisdom of thousands of years of oral histories, passed down through generations, with contemporary scientific discoveries. It allows us to explore how ancient peoples coexisted with now-extinct megafauna, how they navigated vast landscapes, and how they thrived through ice ages. While Deep Time doesn’t claim to be an exhaustive historical account, it stands as a unique and invaluable resource for grasping the sheer depth of our continent’s ancient past.
Glimpses into an Unfathomable Past: Beyond the Familiar
You might believe you already know this ancient story, but Deep Time unveils astonishing details that often surprise. Consider the coastline of Broome, Western Australia, where giant dinosaur footprints are etched into the earth, intrinsically linked to the Dreaming stories of the Goolarabooloo People. These are not mere fossils; they are tangible connections to a time when these creatures roamed the land, interwoven with the spiritual narratives of its First Peoples.
Look to the night sky and you might discover the constellation of Thagay—a celestial depiction of a man in a canoe. For Torres Strait Islanders, Thagay has long served as a vital navigational aid and a marker for understanding seasonal shifts. Similarly, the familiar “emu in the sky” constellation holds deep significance for First Nations peoples across the continent, guiding them in their seasonal food gathering practices.
The rock art gallery at Murujuga presents an awe-inspiring testament to ancient human artistry, boasting over a million images. Some of these date back an astonishing 50,000 years, including what is believed to be the world’s oldest known depiction of a human face.
Imagine the lives of people sheltering in a rock overhang within what is now known as Kakadu National Park, at least 65,000 years ago. At Madjedbebe, a site within this park, evidence suggests that complex stone axes were being crafted long before such sophisticated tools were developed anywhere else on Earth.
The ingenuity of ancient Australians is further highlighted by the Gunditjmara People of Victoria. Their oral histories recount volcanic eruptions, and in the aftermath, they ingeniously utilised the resulting volcanic rocks to construct sophisticated hydraulic systems for trapping and farming eels. This demonstrates an advanced understanding of engineering and resource management that predates many widely recognised ancient civilisations. Astonishingly, evidence also suggests that people elsewhere on the continent were baking bread well before the ancient Egyptians embarked on their own monumental constructions.
The Making of Deep Time: A Collaborative Endeavor
The creation of Deep Time places the voices and knowledge of First Nations elders and custodians at its absolute core. The project team engaged in extensive consultations, speaking with over 65 traditional knowledge holders who shared more than 130 cultural stories. These narratives were meticulously gathered through a consultative interview process, with each knowledge holder granting approval for the sharing of their stories and retaining full ownership of their invaluable contributions.
The stories within Deep Time span the breadth of the continent, stretching from Broome in the west to the Torres Strait in the north, encompassing Tasmania in the south, and reaching from the central Tanami Desert to the shores of Lake Mungo. These rich accounts are further enhanced by snippets of many different First Languages, offering a truly immersive experience.
To facilitate exploration of this vast repository of knowledge, Deep Time offers several intuitive pathways:
- “Tell me a story”: This feature provides a sweeping overview of the rich and diverse history of First Nations peoples.
- “Time”: This section offers a striking visual representation of the immense timescale covered by these ancient narratives.
- “Place”: This tool allows users to discover Deep Time stories connected to their specific geographical location.
- “Topics”: For those with particular interests, this option enables a deep dive into specific themes and subjects.
Solua Middleton, co-lead of Deep Time, emphasises the profound importance of this long and continuous history. “We’ve worked with knowledge holders from across Country to spotlight the richness and beauty of our wonderful but sometimes unknown history,” she stated. “The generosity of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait community has allowed us to present a curated, dynamic, and big-picture look at the ancient and continuous knowledge that has been passed down for many generations, and knowledge that’s embedded all around us within the land, sea, and sky.”
Middleton expresses her hope that every visitor to Deep Time will find a story that resonates with them, perhaps through a familiar place, inspiring them to embark on their own personal journey of discovery into the Indigenous history of that area.
We encourage you to explore Deep Time for yourself, uncover stories that captivate your interest, and share them with your friends and family.
For those seeking further insights, a discussion hosted by Bridget Brennan will feature Deep Time co-lead Solua Middleton, archaeologist Jacinta Koolmatrie, and Yorta Yorta knowledge holder Dr Wayne Atkinson. This insightful conversation will be broadcast on ABC NEWS Channel and available on the ABC News website and app at 2:30pm AEDT today. Alternatively, you can listen on the ABC Listen App or ABC Local Radio from 8pm (local time) and ABC NewsRadio at 9pm (AEDT).
