Britannica Sources used in this answer

How long have Aboriginal peoples lived in Australia according to archaeological evidence?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Aboriginal people of Galiwnku Island in Australia — Australian Aboriginal peoples Aboriginal people from Galiwnku Island gathering to watch the proceedings at which Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologized to the Aboriginal peoples of Australia for their mistreatment under earlier Australian governments, February 2008.

According to archaeological evidence, it is generally held that Australian Aboriginal peoples have inhabited Australia for at least 45,000 to 50,000 years.1

However, research at specific sites, such as Nauwalabila I and Madjedbebe in the Northern Territory, has led some scientists to propose that early human arrival may have occurred as early as 65,000 to 80,000 years ago. While this earlier dating is supported by some scholars, others express caution, noting that environmental factors like termite activity can potentially displace artifacts to older soil levels.12

Regardless of the exact arrival date, by approximately 35,000 years ago, Aboriginal peoples had occupied the entire continent, including Tasmania and the highlands of New Guinea. Aboriginal cultures are considered to have one of the longest deep-time chronologies of any group on Earth.1