More than 41,000 years ago, some of the first humans to set foot in Tasmania used fire to transform jungle into a landscape suitable for survival, according to new research. The discovery is the earliest evidence of landscape management by fire in Tasmania, highlighting the ingenuity and connection to the land of these ancient communities.
journal: Science Advances, November 15, 2024, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp6579 |Reading time: 6 minutes
Revealing ancient land managers
Researchers led by Dr Matthew Adeleye from the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with the Australian National University (ANU), analyzed charcoal and pollen in ancient mud from Tasmania’s Bass Strait Islands. Their findings revealed that the indigenous Tasmanian people known as the Palawa or Pakana people used controlled burns to clear dense, wet forests. This practice began about 41,600 years ago, about 2,000 years earlier than previous estimates.
“These early Tasmanian communities were the island’s first land managers,” says Adelai, who completed his PhD at ANU. The analysis showed that as forests transitioned into open landscapes suitable for human activities, charcoal deposition increased rapidly, coinciding with vegetation changes. Such changes suggest that fire was used intentionally to alter the environment.
This period of transformation occurred during the last Ice Age, when Tasmania was connected to mainland Australia by a land bridge. Migration across this vast area known as Sahul made it possible to settle in Lutlwita (Tasmania). These communities used fire as a tool to adapt to the glacial environment and establish a sustainable way of life.
Science of fire and adaptation
To uncover this deep history, researchers extracted ancient mud core samples. Charcoal fragments indicated fires, and pollen grains indicated changes in vegetation. These early inhabitants used fire strategically, Adelai said. “As natural habitats adapt to cultural burning, we are seeing an expansion of fire-adapted species such as eucalyptus, primarily on the wet side of the Bass Strait Islands.”
These findings confirm that the Palawa people used a fire-shaped ecosystem to grow species that thrived in burnt environments. Such practices are consistent with the widespread use of fire by Aboriginal people across Sahul, where fire facilitates not only survival but also the expression of culture. The impact of these discoveries extends beyond the past. Understanding this ancient connection between people and land can inform modern approaches to ecosystem restoration and bushfire management in Australia.
Bridging the past and future
Researchers emphasize the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge into modern landscape management. ANU Professor Simon Haberle said: “To protect Tasmania and Australia’s landscapes for future generations, we need to listen and learn from Indigenous communities who want a greater role in managing Australia’s landscapes into the future. is important.”
Cultural burning is a practice still maintained by many Aboriginal communities and has the potential to address Australia’s bushfire challenges. However, its widespread adoption remains controversial. This study highlights the need for partnerships that respect and incorporate indigenous expertise, especially as climate change increases fire risks globally.
Glossary
- Palawa/Pakana: An indigenous Tasmanian tribe also known as Lutlewita.
- Cultural combustion: Controlled fire practices used by indigenous communities to sustainably manage landscapes.
- Sahul: A prehistoric continent that included Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea, and nearby islands.
- Charcoal analysis: A method of studying past fire events by examining microscopic charcoal fragments in sediments.
- eucalyptus: A genus of fire-adapted trees native to Australia.
interactive quiz
1. What methods have researchers used to study the ancient use of fire?
They analyzed charcoal and pollen in the sediment cores.
2. When did the first evidence of the use of fire occur in Tasmania?
Approximately 41,600 years ago.
3. What is cultural combustion?
The practice of managing and using fire for ecological and cultural purposes.
4. Why is this research important for modern Australia?
Highlights the role of indigenous knowledge in sustainable landscape management.
Enjoy this story? Subscribe to our newsletter scienceblog.substack.com
