INDIGINEOUS HISTORY

It is commonly believed that Aboriginals migrated through Asia to what is now Australia, some 40,000 to 50,000 years ago. Populations developed initially in the north and around the coast, with the central desert regions being settled much later - about 25,000 years ago.

The population grew most rapidly as the climate improved around 10,000 years ago. By the time the British arrived in the late 18th century it is estimated that 300,000 - 500,000 Aboriginal people from over 250 different language groups inhabited the continent.

While one of the most linguistically diverse group of people on the planet, Aboriginal cultures share a spirituality known as the Dreamtime, which emphasises the central importance of ancestors, the land, its animals, plants and people. Cultural knowledge is maintained in songlines which describe both the landscape and its history. Through song, Aboriginals of different language groups are able to communicate and share knowledge.

Having experienced relative peace through most of their history, Aboriginal populations, particularly in the east of Australia, have suffered significantly since the arrival of Europeans. As well as accusations of genocide, foreign diseases killed many indigenous people and traditional lands were destroyed by European expansion.