SOURCE1 The Pleistocene footprints from the clay at Lake Mungo left an ancient human record of life in Australia.
2.10.1 Investigating Australia’s ancient past Archaeological and scientific studies give us lots of interesting information from ancient burial sites. But we shouldn’t forget that these sites continue to have spiritual significance. The study of Deep Time is not just a story about the past.
SkillBuilder discussion Using historical sources 1. What does SOURCE2 provide a description of? 2. What helped archaeologists to identify that there was a child with the group? 3. What makes this archaeological site so ‘personal’?
SOURCE2 Adapted extract from Harvey Johnstone and Michael Westaway, archaeologists
Some footprints show a child walking, pausing, turning, and running away from their group before quickly returning. This might suggest the child was called back by an adult or sibling. Such personal details are rare in open-site archaeology.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples still care for their land and the generations connected to it. Australian governments now recognise their rights over human remains, artefacts and heritage sites. There is discussion about the future control and care of our heritage sites, artefacts and ancestral remains. The role of the archaeologist Investigating archaeological sites is where we start to gather information. These sites help us understand how people lived. Archaeologists survey the landscape, and then often dig pits and trenches to uncover the layers of history found in ancient campsites or middens. 2.10.2 The Kulin Nation The Kulin Nation has five groups in Victoria. They left many archaeological sites and artefacts that scientists and archaeologists study to learn about their life.
TOPIC2 Deep Time to modern era 57
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