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The term “neolithic” is typically used to describe a period in human history characterized by the development of agriculture, the establishment of permanent settlements. Including the use of architecture, pottery, and stone tools. However, in Australia. It was different.

As traditionally defined ‘neolithic’ to some, like in Europe and the middle east. The transition to agriculture did not occur here
Indigenous peoples of Australia continued a hunter-gatherer lifestyle into the modern era.

Indigenous Australians did maintain a complex and sophisticated hunter-gatherer lifestyle
They used knowledge of the environment. Including land management practices, seasonal cycles, and plant and animal behaviors.

One notable land management practice was “firestick farming” or controlled burning
It involved the use of fire to clear underbrush, promote the growth of certain plant species, and manage animal populations. Including trapping them in certain areas where they could be more easily hunted.

Indigenous Australian societies were highly structured
They had social and oral traditions. Used extensive trade networks. As well as, art.

Sophisticated material and culture was evident
They made rock art, which was some of the oldest in the world. They also had tools made from stone, bone, and other natural materials.

While traditionally nomadic. Groups did establish more permanent or semi-permanent settlements
In resource-rich areas such as river valleys or coastal regions. It is believed there were more permanent settlements.

It was a long time ago
By the late 18th century, arrival of Europeans brought profound changes to indigenous Australian societies. Included was disease, disruption of tradition, and loss of land. Despite frustrations and challenges. Native Australians preserved what they could. And, continued to maintain a deep connection to their land and heritage.

Bibliography: Wroe, S.; Field, J. H.; Archer, M.; Grayson, D. K.; Price, G. J.; Louys, J.; Faith, J. T.; Webb, G. E.; Davidson, I.; Mooney, S. D. (28 May 2013). “Climate change frames debate over the extinction of megafauna in Sahul (Pleistocene Australia-New Guinea)” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3670326). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 110(#22): 8777–8781. Bibcode:2013PNAS..110.8777W (https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2013PNAS..110.8777W). doi:10.1073/pnas.1302698110 (https://doi.org/10.1073%2Fpnas.1302698110). ISSN 0027-8424 (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0027-8424). PMC 3670326 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3670326). PMID 23650401 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23650401).

Frédérik Saltré , Marta Rodríguez-Rey , Barry W Brook , Christopher N Turney, Chris S. M.; Alroy, John; Cooper, Alan; Beeton, Nicholas; Bird, Michael I.; Fordham, Damien A.; Gillespie, Richard; Herrando-Pérez, Salvador; Jacobs, Zenobia; Miller, Gifford H.; Nogués-Bravo, David; Prideaux, Gavin J.; Roberts, Richard G.; Bradshaw, Corey J. A. (2016). “Climate change not to blame for late Quaternary megafauna extinctions in Australia” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740174). Nature Communications. 7: 10511.Bibcode:2016NatCo…710511S (https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016NatCo…710511S). doi:10.1038/ncomms10511 (https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fncomms10511). ISSN 2041-1723 (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/2041-1723). PMC 4740174 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740174). PMID 26821754 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26821754).

Megafauna. (n.d.). The Australian Museum. https://australian.museum/learn/australia-over-time/megafauna/

Clarkson, C., Jacobs, Z., Marwick, B., Fullagar, R., Wallis, L., Smith, M., Roberts, R. G., Hayes, E., Lowe, K., Carah, X., Florin, S. A., McNeil, J., Cox, D., Arnold, L. J., Hua, Q., Huntley, J., Brand, H. E. A., Manne, T., Fairbairn, A., . . . Pardoe, C. (2017). Human occupation of northern Australia by 65,000 years ago. Nature, 547(7663), 306–310. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature22968