Ancient Australia and the Work of Archaeologists: Year 7 Study Guide
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have the oldest continuing cultures in the world.
Archaeologists study the past by examining objects and sites: tools, shells, rock art, hearths, bones and landscapes. Historians study written and oral records. Both use sources, which may be primary (from the time) or secondary (later). Dating methods such as radiocarbon dating give an age to organic material, and layers of earth show what is older (deeper) and newer (higher).
First Nations Peoples have lived in Australia for at least 65,000 years, according to evidence from sites such as Madjedbebe in Arnhem Land. Mungo Man and Mungo Lady, found at Lake Mungo in New South Wales, are among the oldest human remains found in Australia, and are a testament to long occupation. Oral histories, which pass knowledge through stories, songs and dance, are also valid and important sources.
Kinds of evidence
| Evidence | What it can tell us | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Stone tools | technology, resources | grinding stones, axe heads |
| Rock art | beliefs, stories, environment | Kakadu, Murujuga |
| Middens (shell heaps) | diet, settlement | coastal sites |
| Oral histories | law, Country, events | Dreaming stories, Songlines |
| Fish traps | food management | Brewarrina |
Country, law and knowledge
First Nations Peoples are made up of many nations with their own languages, laws and knowledge systems. Connection to Country includes land, waters, sky, plants, animals and ancestors. Knowledge of seasons, plants and fire management was refined over thousands of years. Respect for protocols is important: some sites and stories are restricted, and permission from Traditional Owners is needed to share them.
What was life like?
Archaeological and oral.
Who made it? Is it reliable?
Say what the evidence shows.
Protecting heritage
Sacred sites and cultural heritage are protected by law, and recent events have shown how damaging it can be when heritage is destroyed. Today many archaeological projects are led in partnership with Traditional Owners, who decide how sites are studied and cared for.
Worked example and common mistakes
Example: A midden contains shells and fish bones; the layers show people ate seafood over thousands of years. Common mistakes: describing First Nations history as 'prehistory' or 'primitive', using only written sources and assuming all communities are the same. Use respectful terms, and credit the people whose knowledge you cite.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. For example, stone tools and rock art. 2. They carry knowledge, law and history passed down across generations. 3. Land, waters, sky, living things and ancestors, and the connection to them.
✨ Key Takeaways
- First Nations Peoples have lived here for at least 65,000 years.
- Archaeology uses material evidence.
- Oral history is an important source.
- Respect cultural protocols.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- Name two types of archaeological evidence.
- Why are oral histories valuable?
- What does 'Country' mean?
Print a history timeline worksheet →