Quillette Podcast Ancient Australians
Jan 12, 2025
Mungo Manik, an independent scholar specializing in ancient Australian history, takes listeners on a captivating journey through prehistoric Australian cultures. He discusses the unique cultural continuity of Indigenous Australians, emphasizing their isolation from the Agricultural Revolution. The complexities of defining Aboriginal identity are explored, alongside the arrival of Homo sapiens in Australia, with findings suggesting a presence up to 65,000 years ago. Manik delves into ancient immigration patterns and notable archaeological discoveries, painting a vivid picture of Australia’s rich history.
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Origin of Interest
- Mungo Manik's interest in early Australians began after reading a book on prehistoric cultures.
- He felt the book lacked a complete picture of ancient Australian life.
Terminology Debate
- Mungo Manik prefers the terms foragers and farmers over Aboriginal and Indigenous.
- He finds the latter terms lack precise scientific definitions, causing confusion.
Etymology of Aboriginal
- The term "Aboriginal" originates from an Italian tribe predating the Romans.
- British colonizers applied this term to various groups worldwide, including Australians.