Deep Time & Chronology
What is Deep Time?
The time before written record when humans first existed.
From which continent did early humans begin migrating?
Africa.
What does adaptation mean?
When something changes due to something happening
What were megafauna?
Megafauna were large animals that lived during deep time.
What is a primary source?
A source created at the time being studied, such as artefacts, rock art, or oral histories.
How long have First Nations Australian's lived in Australia?
60, 000
What environmental period allowed humans to reach Australia more easily?
The Ice Age.
Name one way First Nations peoples adapted to their environment.
using fire-stick farming, developing specialised tools, building shelters suited to climate, seasonal movement.
Name one example of Australian megafauna.
Diprotodon, giant kangaroos, giant wombats, Thylacoleo.
Give one example of a primary source from deep time.
Rock art, tools, bones, fossils, shell middens.
Why do historians use timelines when studying deep time?
To organise events in the order they happen
What was Sahul?
Sahul was the ancient landmass that connected Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea when sea levels were lower.
How did the environment influence where people settled?
People settled near water sources, food supplies, and safe shelter because these supported survival.
Give one theory explaining why megafauna became extinct.
Climate change or human hunting.
What is a secondary source?
A source created after the event, such as textbooks, documentaries, or historian reports.
Why is it difficult to study Australia’s deep past?
Because there are no written records from that time, and evidence must be interpreted carefully.
Explain how sea levels affected migration to Australia.
Sea levels dropped, exposing land bridges and making it easier for humans to travel shorter distances by land or sea.
Explain how First Nations peoples lived sustainably.
They used resources carefully, practised controlled burning, and ensured food sources were not overused so they could continue into the future.
Explain the difference between the climate theory and human impact theory.
The climate theory suggests megafauna became extinct due to environmental changes. The human impact theory suggests they were hunted or affected by human activity.
Why are oral histories important sources in Australia’s deep past?
Because they pass down knowledge, stories, and cultural understanding across generations.
What is a “historical interpretation”?
An explanation of the past based on evidence, which may change as new evidence is discovered.
Describe two reasons why early humans migrated out of Africa.
food, shelther, weather or curiosity
How did geography shape different lifestyles across Australia?
Different climates (desert, coastal, river, tropical) required different tools, diets, shelters, and movement patterns.
Why do historians debate the extinction of megafauna?
Because evidence is limited and different interpretations exist, so historians continue to analyse new discoveries.
Why can interpretations of the past change over time?
Because new evidence may be discovered, leading historians to revise their explanations.