The discovery of a submerged continent off the coast of northern Australia has unveiled an ancient landscape that was once home to a thriving population. Spanning an immense 390,000 square kilometers, larger than New Zealand, this now-submerged continental shelf dates back 65,000 years. Led by Kasih Norman of Queensland’s Griffith University, a team of scientists made this groundbreaking find and are amazed by the complexity of the landscape they uncovered.
The submerged continent, known as the Northwest Shelf, presents a landscape unlike any found on Australia's current landmass. It harbored a diverse range of habitats, including archipelagos, lakes, rivers, and a sizable inland sea known as the Malita inland sea. The region was rich in both freshwater and saltwater environments, making it a mosaic of habitable ecosystems.
Although the continental shelves were previously considered environmentally unproductive, archaeological evidence showed otherwise. Many large islands off the Australian coast, which were once part of the continental shelves, reveal signs of ancient habitation. Prior to this groundbreaking research, archaeologists could only speculate about the nature of these submerged landscapes and their populations.
By projecting past sea levels onto high-resolution maps of the ocean floor, Norman and her team estimated that the Northwest Shelf could have supported a population ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 people at different times over the last 65,000 years. Their modeling suggests that during the peak of the last Ice Age, approximately 20,000 years ago, the entire shelf was dry land and likely teemed with life.
The researchers also discovered that the region experienced significant changes with the transition from the last Ice Age to the present. As polar ice caps grew and sea levels dropped by up to 120 meters, large portions of the submerged continental shelf were exposed for the first time in 100,000 years. However, as global warming gradually melted the ice, sea levels rose, ultimately submerging the shelf and forcing its inhabitants to abandon their once-productive lands.
The evidence collected from the submerged continent reveals a fascinating connection between the ancient inhabitants and the surrounding regions. Humans living on the Northwest Shelf spoke similar languages and created comparable styles of rock art to the communities in Western Arnhem land and Kimberley, which still exist today. The rich ecosystems of the islands within the submerged archipelago may have served as stepping stones for the migration of people from Indonesia to Australia.
In addition to the scientific evidence, the oral histories passed down through generations of Indigenous communities also support the presence of this submerged continent. The rising sea levels and drowning of the landscape are recorded in oral histories from the coastal areas, dating back over 10,000 years. This remarkable correlation between scientific discovery and Indigenous knowledge highlights the importance of Indigenous-led environmental management, especially in the face of ongoing climate change.
The findings of this study, published in Quaternary Science Reviews, shed light on the complex dynamics of First Nations people responding to rapidly changing climates. The research team emphasizes the need to incorporate deep-time Indigenous knowledge and experience in modern adaptation strategies. As we navigate an uncertain future, the wisdom of Indigenous communities becomes increasingly valuable in successful environmental management.
The discovery of this submerged continent off the coast of northern Australia is not only a testament to the rich history of the land but a call for greater recognition and preservation of Indigenous knowledge. By appreciating the ancient connections between humans and their environments, we can pave the way for a more sustainable and adaptable future.
