Deep Time history Revision

Theory of Evolution

Suggests that all living things are related and species change over time.

Relative dating

A technique to determine the relative order of past events.

Absolute dating

A method to determine the true date or date range of an event.

Radiocarbon dating

A technique used in absolute dating to determine the age of organic materials.

Optically stimulated luminescence

An absolute dating method that measures the last time sediment was exposed to light.

Bipedalism

The ability to walk on two legs, which evolved in humans over 4 million years ago.

Out of Africa Theory

The hypothesis that early humans migrated out of Africa into other continents.

First Australians

The original inhabitants of Australia, believed to have migrated from Southeast Asia.

Birdsell's fast-track model

Joseph Birdsell's theory that small groups of people rapidly spread across Australia.

Ordinary stories

Narratives that describe historical environmental changes in Australia.

Sacred myths

Myths that explain environmental changes through supernatural actions.

Dreaming

Indigenous Australian concept explaining creation, relationships, and the importance of land.

Kinship

The complex relationships between people and their connection to land in Aboriginal culture.

Aboriginal Elders

Respected people who teach knowledge about culture, tradition, and community duties.

Marriage rules in Kulin nations

Strict guidelines requiring marriages to be between different moieties.

Totem

A sacred species that symbolizes the connection between people and nature.

Initiation ceremonies

Rituals that impart knowledge and status within Indigenous communities.

Funeral customs

Elaborate rituals that honor the deceased and connect spirits to the Dreaming ancestors.

Migration to Australia

First human presence in Australia likely occurred around 65,000 years ago.

Human evolution

The lengthy process through which modern humans originated from apelike ancestors.

Stratigraphy

A technique used in relative dating that examines layers of soil.

Sea level changes

Environmental alterations described in Ordinary stories reflecting past lower ocean levels.

Traditional knowledge

Cultural teachings passed down through generations about land, resources, and rituals.

Cultural transmission

The passing of beliefs, customs, and knowledge through stories, music, and art.

Genealogical links

Connections between living individuals and Dreaming ancestors in Aboriginal culture.

Ritual significance

The importance of ceremonies in maintaining cultural and spiritual connections.

Obligations in kinship

Responsibility systems that dictate social interactions and duties in Aboriginal communities.

Social roles of Elders

Elders guide community decisions, teach traditions, and lead ceremonies.

Cultural identity

The connection to land, Dreaming, and kinship that defines Aboriginal peoples.

Community decision-making

Collaborative processes led by Elders to resolve issues and maintain harmony.

Inherited totems

Totems passed down through lineage, representing spiritual connections.

Bush tucker

Traditional Indigenous Australian foods sourced from the land.

Bush medicine

Traditional healing practices using plants and natural resources.

Passage rites

Ceremonies marking significant life transitions, such as initiation and marriage.

Mourning rituals

Culturally specific practices for honoring and remembering the deceased.

Pleistocene time

Older than 10,000 BP (up to 2.58 million years ago)

Pleistocene Australia

· Colder climate and sea level lower

· Australia is a larger continent (‘Sahul’)

Pleistocene Position

Australia was very close to its present global position. Sea levels fell, creating temporary land bridges between mainland Australia and Tasmania in the south, and Australia and New Guinea in the north.

Pleistocene climate

climate in Australia continued to cycle rapidly between icehouse phases (cold, dry conditions) and greenhouse phases (warmer, wetter conditions.) During icehouse phases land bridges would form.

Pleistocene vegetation

Australia's plants were already well suited to dry conditions. Areas would change rapidly

Pleistocene animals

Pleistocene was the heyday of giant animals known as the Megafauna. Humans arrived at least 50,000 years ago.

Pleistocene Rest of the world

European Megafauna included Woolly Rhinoceroses, Mammoths, Cave Lions and Cave Bears. North American Megafauna included Giant Ground Sloths and Sabre-toothed Tigers. African Megafauna included elephants, giraffes, rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses.

Holocene

10 000 BP to 1788

Holocene Position

Australia global position was virtually the same as it is today.

Holocene Climate

Australia's climate became slightly wetter until about 5,000 years ago; since then, it has continued to dry.

Holocene climate

Australia's climate became slightly wetter until about 5,000 years ago; since then, it has continued to dry.

Holocene Vegetation

Australia's Indigenous peoples used 'fire stick' farming to seasonally burn off selected areas of bushland. European settlers radically changed the pattern and types of vegetation.

Holocene Animals

Many varieties of Australian indigenous animals have died out or become endangered since humans brought in other kinds of animals from oversea