Tracing the Pathfinders of Sahul: A New Look at the First Peoples’ Migration

New research conducted by the University of Sydney sheds light on the migration patterns of the First Peoples of Australia and New Guinea, as well as their habitats over the 40,000 years following humanity’s arrival on the then-unified continent of Sahul. This continent included present-day Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. Researchers used a dynamic model to chart the changing landscape, offering a more accurate depiction of the areas inhabited by the earliest humans in Sahul.

Innovative Research Methods
The research team, led by Associate Professor Tristan Salles from the School of Geosciences at the University of Sydney, used a model that factored in the evolution of the landscape, which was influenced by climatic changes during the period of human migration. This novel method enhances traditional migration studies that primarily relied on archaeological discoveries. Salles highlighted the importance of considering geological changes, stating, “One aspect overlooked when evaluating how people spread across the continent is the evolution of the Earth’s surface which took place as people migrated.”