When and how was Australia settled?
A) Fossil evidence from Lake Mungo in New South Wales suggests that Australia was settled as early as 100,000 years ago by Melanesian settlers who crossed the exposed land bridges connecting the Pacific islands.
B) An interglacial period around 70,000 B.P. allowed the seafaring people of Tasmania to navigate to the Australian mainland.
C) A glacial period around 50,000 B.P. exposed a land bridge connecting Asia and Australia, making it possible for humans to cross over on foot.
D) Humans crossed the narrow straits separating Asia and the then continent of Sahul (Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania), perhaps in primitive watercraft, around 50,000 B.P.
E) Fossil evidence from Lake Mungo in New South Wales suggests that Australia was settled around 50,000 B.P. by humans from Asia following big game.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most widely accepted theory is that humans crossed the narrow straits separating Asia and the then continent of Sahul around 50,000 B.P. This is based on archaeological evidence, such as stone tools and butchered animal bones, found at sites across Australia and Asia, as well as genetic studies. It is believed that humans may have used primitive watercraft to navigate and settle in Australia.

When and How Was Australia Settled