Author(s): H. Bandler

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Keywords: Occupation of Australia; Ocean resources; Fish traps

Abstract: Occupation of the Australian continent goes back to about 60.000 years Before Present (BP). Colonisation of the continent originally followed the coastline. Here the extensive resources of the ocean could be obtained, not just by physically catching or spearing the fish, but by exploiting tidal movement. This was achieved with the building of coastal structures, some of which have survived to the present. Thus we find fish traps along the east, south, west and north coast of the continent. Details of some of these structures will be presented in the body of the paper. The examples of these skilled constructions display that food gathering with knowledge of the tides was established thousands of years ago through a highly developed culture in Australia, comparing quite favourably with the ancient cultures of Europe, the Americas and other locations.

DOI:

Year: 2003