Genetic research claims to have resolved a longstanding debate between archaeology and genetics, confirming that the ancestors of Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander peoples reached the ancient supercontinent of Sahul approximately 60,000 years ago. The study, published in Science Advances, bridges a significant gap that has puzzled scientists for decades, reconciling genetic evidence with archaeological findings from sites like Madjedbebe in the Northern Territory.
For years, a perplexing discrepancy existed between the archaeological record and genetic studies regarding when humans first set foot in Australia. Archaeological evidence from sites like Madjedbebe suggested an arrival date of approximately 65,000 years ago, while genetic analyses consistently pointed to a much more recent timeframe of 47,000 to 51,000 years. This new research, which analyzed 2,456 samples of mitochondrial DNA from Indigenous people across Australia and Papua New Guinea, has finally brought these two lines of evidence into alignment.
- Ancient Ancestors Made A Large and Deliberate Migration to Australia
- DNA Study Finds Aboriginal Australians are Oldest Civilization in the World
Aboriginal Rock Art, Anbangbang Rock Shelter, Kakadu National Park, Australia. (Saint Amand/CC0)
Bridging the Archaeological-Genetic Divide
According to Christopher Clarkson, an archaeologist at Griffith University, the question of when First Nations people arrived in Australia has sparked "fierce debate" between geneticists and archaeologists. Until now, dates based on genetics placed arrival between 47,000 and 51,000 years ago - a stark contrast to archaeological evidence suggesting 65,000 years.
"We've been pointing to this mystery of why is there this time gap, and why does the genetics not match the older archaeological record?" Clarkson explained. "Now, with this new analysis, we can see for the first time that actually these two things do match very well."
The key to resolving this discrepancy lay in refining the molecular clock used to calculate genetic age. Martin Richards, an archaeogeneticist at the University of Huddersfield and study author, explained that mitochondrial DNA doesn't evolve at a uniform rate over time. By developing a correction curve based on other remote Pacific populations, the research team achieved a more accurate estimate that aligns with the archaeological timeline known as the "long chronology."
- Fifty Years Ago, at Lake Mungo, the True Scale of Aboriginal Australians' Epic Story was Revealed
- How Evolving Landscapes Impacted First Peoples' Migration to Australia
Map showing continental shelves of Sunda, Sahul, and the Western Pacific with potential migration routes are indicated and the likely marker lineages for mtDNA and Y chromosome are labeled. (Gandini et al. /Science Advances)
Two Routes to Sahul
The research reveals that early humans travelled to Sahul - the landmass that encompassed present-day Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania during the Ice Age - via two distinct routes. One major pathway originated from the Philippines and Sulawesi, while a secondary southern route brought smaller groups of migrants. Both dispersals occurred around the same 60,000-year timeframe, demonstrating sophisticated seafaring capabilities among these ancient populations.
Helen Farr, an archaeologist at the University of Southampton and study co-author, emphasized that these were not accidental voyages. "We see evidence that people were using boats, stepping offshore and making bluewater crossings as early as 60,000 years ago," she stated. "The southern route would still have involved an open water voyage of around 100 km or more. These were not one-off accidental drift events, but some of the earliest evidence we have for seafaring."
During the last Ice Age, much of Southeast Asia formed a single landmass called Sunda, while Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania comprised Sahul. As modern humans spread across the globe from Africa, the ancestors of Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander peoples navigated south through Sunda before undertaking the perilous ocean crossing to Sahul - a journey requiring deliberate planning and advanced maritime technology.
Scientific Debate Continues
Despite the promising convergence of evidence, some researchers remain cautious. Bastien Llamas, an evolutionary geneticist at the University of Adelaide who wasn't involved in the research, acknowledged the study's significance while noting ongoing uncertainties about molecular rates.
"The almost perfect correlation shows a concordance between genetics and archaeology that is hard to ignore," he said. "It's a very good study, the methods are solid, and they've done their due diligence, but there's still this uncertainty of the molecular rate."
The tension between the "long chronology" (60,000-65,000 years) supported by archaeology and the "short chronology" (47,000-51,000 years) previously supported by genetics has defined discussions about Australian prehistory for years. Professor Clarkson's 2017 work at the Madjedbebe rock shelter in Arnhem Land provided compelling archaeological evidence for the 65,000-year timeline, making it the oldest-known site of human occupation in Australia. However, genetic studies using traditional molecular clock techniques consistently yielded younger dates, creating a scientific impasse.
This new research represents one of the largest genetic analyses of Indigenous peoples from Australia and New Guinea ever conducted, examining mitochondrial DNA - genetic material inherited exclusively through the maternal line - from 2,456 individuals. The study's authors hope their findings will finally settle the debate, though they acknowledge that further research using whole genome sequences is underway to test and refine these results.
Respecting Deep Heritage
While Western scientists debate dates and methodologies, the study's authors emphasize that their work supports what many Indigenous communities have always known. "We know that the ancestors of New Guineans and Aboriginal Australians have inhabited Sahul for tens of thousands of years," Helen Farr noted, "with many Aboriginal Australians understanding that they have always been on country."
The research validates the profound antiquity of Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander cultures, which represent some of the world's oldest continuous civilizations. The study also underscores the remarkable adaptability and technological sophistication of these early maritime pioneers, who successfully crossed significant ocean barriers and established thriving communities across an entire continent.
Top image: Wandjina rock art on the Barnett River, Mount Elizabeth Station. Source: Graeme Churchard/CC BY 2.0
By Gary Manners
References
ABC News Australia. 2025-11-29. DNA analysis suggests first Australians arrived about 60,000 years ago. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-11-29/sahul-aboriginal-australia-65000-genetic-evidence/106054352
Richards, M. et al. 2025. Mitochondrial DNA analysis supports 60,000-year arrival of first Australians. Science Advances. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ady9493
