What is ‘Deep Time’ history of the First Nations People of Australia?

In the study of geology, Deep Time refers to the vast time scale of Earth. It includes both the formation of Earth (around 4.5 billion years ago) and the later appearance of life (approximately 3.5 billion years ago).

However, in the context of First Nations Australian history, Deep Time refers to the extensive and continuous history of Indigenous Australians, spanning over tens of thousands of years.

This includes the development of cultural practices, innovative technologies, and belief systems that have evolved over millennia.

It challenges Western notions of history by emphasizing a timeline that doesn't rely on written historical records but is based upon the connection between Australia's First Nations peoples and the land.

They have lived in Australia for more than 60,000 years, making them one of the world's oldest continuous cultures.

For example, the remains of Mungo Man and Mungo Lady, discovered at Lake Mungo in New South Wales, are some of the oldest human remains found in Australia, dating back approximately 40,000–42,000 years.

Rather than a history that is focused on famous people and events, it is concerned with the ongoing relationship with the land, sky, and waterways.

It believes that the landscape itself holds stories and evidence of the past.

As a result, it includes the stories of significant environmental changes, such as the formation of river systems and the Great Barrier Reef, which Indigenous peoples have witnessed and adapted to over thousands of years.

For example, Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, has been a sacred site for the Anangu people for over 10,000 years.

It has been a focal point in their Dreaming stories and spiritual life in connection with their environment.

Similarly, the Wurdi Youang stone arrangement in Victoria is estimated to be around 11,000 years old by some researchers.

That would make it one of the oldest known astronomical sites in the world and would demonstrate First Nations people's sophisticated knowledge of the solar system.

Their stories, traditions, and knowledge systems have been passed down through countless generations.

This handing on of information has even allowed modern anthropologists like Norman Tindale, who spent his career mapping Aboriginal tribes across Australia during the 20th century, to identify the territorial boundaries and languages of over 250 different Indigenous groups.

As a result, it has produced a unique understanding of the Australian landscape and its evolution. 

Before European settlement in 1788, it is estimated that the First Nations population across Australia ranged between 750,000 and 1 million people, with over 250 distinct language groups.

It is important to note that the history of Australia's First Nations peoples is not written in books or documents.

Instead, it is said to be written in the landscape, in the stories, in the objects, in the ceremonies and in the memories.

In this way, it is a living history that is passed down from generation to generation.

Here are some specific ways that First Nations People remember Deep Time:

Central to Indigenous Australian cosmology are the Dreamtime stories. 

They explain the origins of the universe, the land, and its features, as well as the relationships between people, animals, and the environment.

Each Aboriginal group has its own unique Dreamtime stories, which are deeply tied to their specific landscapes and cultural practices.

Often, these Dreamtime stories feature characters who display both good and bad behaviors.

These narratives then illustrate the consequences of people's actions, which teaches lessons about respect, sharing, and community responsibilities.

For example, the story of Thukeri from the Ngarrindjeri people is a warning about greed, where two fishermen face consequences for not sharing their catch with their communities.

When the stories are shared, they help teach the social norms, laws, and spiritual beliefs to new generations.

The deep connection to the land is evident in the sophisticated land management practices of Indigenous Australians.

In particular, controlled burns, often referred to as 'fire-stick farming' or 'cultural burning' have been essential for managing ecosystems sustainably over millennia.

It was used to manage the landscape, promote biodiversity, and prevent large bushfires: a method still used today for its ecological benefits.

In a similar way, water resource management and sustainable hunting and gathering, have shaped the Australian landscape in harmony with its natural rhythms.

This is best seen in the tale of the Rainbow Serpent, who is a common figure in many Dreamtime stories.

Ultimately, this snake symbolizes creation and the life-giving properties of water.

While often forgotten, ancient rock art found across Australia also serves as a testament to the deep history of First Nations peoples.

Some rock art in Australia, like those in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, are believed to date back around 20,000 years. They include depictions of now-extinct animals and sea creatures, providing valuable insights into prehistoric life and environmental conditions.

Those in the Kimberley region in Western Australia, including Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, are some of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world.

One of the most remarkable things about Australian First Nations oral traditions is that they have recorded key historical and environmental changes over millennia.

For example, Palawa (Tasmanian First Nations) oral traditions recall the flooding of the Bassian Land Bridge between Tasmania and mainland Australia.

This would have occurred around 10,000 years ago due to rising sea levels after the last Ice Age.

In fact, this is one of the oldest recorded oral traditions globally, which demonstrates the longevity and accuracy of Indigenous storytelling.

The Palawa people also have stories about the star Canopus, which was near the South Celestial Pole during the time the land bridge was submerged.

The fact that they remembered this astronomical event shows that they had a clear understanding of the stars and their historical positions.

Around 21 locations in Australia have oral histories that describe the coastline's transformation as the sea level rose, submerging lands that were once able to be walked.

These stories have survived and been passed down for over 7,000 years.

For many non-Indigenous Australians, understanding the depth and complexity of First Nations history can be challenging.

As a result, the concept of Deep Time can serve as a bridge: by grasping the vastness of time, one can begin to appreciate the depth of Indigenous connection to the land. 

It's not just about recognizing that Indigenous Australians have been on the continent for a very long time; it's about understanding that their culture, knowledge, and traditions have evolved and been refined over these immense time scales.

This perspective can foster a deeper respect for Indigenous knowledge systems and their contributions to modern Australia.