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65,000 BCE
When the Aboriginal people arrived in Australia
This is when the Aboriginal people journeyed along the coast of Asia and Africa to arrive in Australia and separate, forming the different tribes of the Aboriginal people. -
Period: 65,000 BCE to
All of Australian History
This is the entire history of the Aboriginal history in Australia, from when they arrived here 65,000 years ago to the recent Eddie Mabo case. This includes all of the political, social and major events that shaped Australia. -
50,000 BCE
Earliest evidence of Occupation
50,000 years ago, there is evidence of occupation, like being a farmer and harvesting yam or being a stonemason and crafting stone tools. With this evidence, it is clear that they had a sophisticated society. -
50,000 BCE
Early Rock Paintings
There is evidence that the Aboriginal people made rock art dating back to 50,000 years ago. On these drawings, there are depictions of animals that went extinct around that time as well. For example, 50,000 years ago, an animal named Megalania went extinct. But, on some cave walls in Arnhemland, there are paintings of these ancient, extinct reptiles. -
50,000 BCE
First Agriculture
The Aboriginal people invented incredible and ingenious agriculture and aquaculture methods, dating back to 50,000 years old. Some including an automatic fish and eel trap and really efficient ways of farming. Even though this was seen as lazy by the British when they arrived, it was a really efficient way to fish and gather food without harming the environment and animals within it. -
40,000 BCE
Mungo Man
Mungo man died 40,000 years ago. The remains were found in 1974 and analyzed. From the data, they concluded that Mungo man has the oldest human remains that have been discovered that are outside of Africa. He was also buried very carefully, which means that he was probably a tribe leader. This also symbolizes the first spiritual belief in the world. -
40,000 BCE
Aboriginal stone tools
There has been evidence that there are Aboriginal stone tools dating up to over 40,000 years ago. Recently in Gippsland, during roadworks, shattered parts of an Aboriginal tool was found. It was brought to the national museum of Australia and was studied. After the research was concluded, they found that it was 40,000 years old. So, they brought it to show to some Aboriginal people and elders and delivered it back to where it was, to be respectful to nature's property. -
35,000 BCE
Murujuga
In north-east WA, near Karratha, there is the oldest art "gallery" in the world. There are rock carvings and rock paintings all over the rocks that scatter the land. This "gallery" is 35,000 years old. Unfortunately, Murujuga is now the site of a factory. -
10,000 BCE
Early Maps
Dating back 10,000 years to even longer before, maps in rock have been created by the Aboriginal people. They created these maps so that visitors to their country could find a way to sources of food and water so that they wouldn't die of thirst and starvation. -
First Fleet Arrival
This is when the British people first arrived in Australia after 3 months of sailing from London. -
The First Aboriginal Massacre
The first massacre of Aboriginal history was in July of 1791. Governor Arthur Phillip gave 27 convicts muskets, that were used to kill Aboriginal people. In retaliating, the Aboriginal people set some British houses on fire. The governor sent 50 soldiers to kill Aboriginal people. On top of this, there was a patch of forest between the two patches of housing that could be used as hiding spots for the Aboriginal people. Consequently, Arthur Phillip ordered the patch of forest to be cleared. -
Bennelong and Phillip
This is the day that Bennelong and Arthur Phillip met, forming a friendship. Bennelong became the bridge between the Indigenous people and the British people. Bennelong became an honorable guest in Government house. Soon after, Bennelong and Phillip journeyed back to London to enjoy the British life. When they arrived back from London, his family rejected him, instead of greeting him with open arms, like he thought they would, because of all of the Aboriginal massacres committed by the British. -
The Stolen Generation
The Stolen Generation began in 1910. This is where the British soldiers and ex-convicts stole the Aboriginal children to conert them to "white", so that they believed in Christianity and followed British customs, instead of their own. These people that were stolen often could not find their blood parents after their tragedies. When they were taken, they were sent to missions and churches until they were fully taught and done manual labor. This terrible period ended in 1970, not so long ago. -
The First Celebrated Australia Day
Australia Day is celebrated on the 26th of January, to commemorate the landing of the first fleet in Port Jackson, NSW. Although, Australia Day isn't celebrated amongst all people. The Indigenous people mourn for the lives lost on this day and they call it "Invasion Day" because that is when the British people unlawfully arrived and stole their land. -
Eddie Mabo case
Eddie Koiki Mabo, an Indigenous Australian, fought with the government system for Aboriginal people's land rights. He believed that since the Aboriginal people are the traditional custodians of the land, they have the right to the land that was stolen from them by the settlers that arrived in 1788. The case was approved, but unfortunately, he was not there to witness it as he had passed away a short time before. -
Sorry Day
In 2008, Kevin Rudd, the Prime Minister at the time, made a formal apology to all of the hardships that the British Government caused them, especially the Stolen Generation.
