Author(s): Hans Bandler

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Keywords: Borigines; Aridity; Australia; Ground Water; Prehistory; Wells

Abstract: The presence of human beings on the Australian continent goes back to at least 40, 000years. Recent research has put this back to about 60, 000 years Before Present (B. P. ) With the awareness of living on an extremely arid continent finding water for all members of the various groups was most important. It was a specially demanding for those living in the inland with its low precipitation. In desert areas finding and protecting ground water was demanded continuously. Native wells were established and used for centuries. In the Simpson Desert Aboriginal groups lived around a number of wells with water below ground level until fairly recently. They were later found bound by a European surveyor, David Lindsay. Puritjarra rock shelter and the water from the adjoining rock well in Central Australia show occupation going back 22, 00 years. Ground water use in Australian prehistory many thousands of years ago shows a highly developed culture.

DOI:

Year: 1999