Uncovering Ancient Songlines: A Journey Through Time
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Chapter 1: The Significance of Songlines
Recent discoveries have revealed two ancient watering holes submerged in the ocean, which correspond to songlines still recognized by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia. These findings highlight the intertwining of human history and the landscape, showcasing how knowledge has been gathered and organized over thousands of years.
As a species, humanity has dedicated extensive time to categorizing information into a structured framework. This framework encompasses various fields such as mathematics, science, art, music, and philosophy. However, we are now entering a new era, where this organized knowledge is being blended to create new insights and understandings. This is exemplified by a collaboration between archaeologists and Indigenous Elders in Australia, which has forged a vital connection between the past and the land.
Section 1.1: Understanding Songlines
Songlines are distinct from typical song lyrics; they serve as intricate oral maps that guide navigation and convey cultural knowledge. Aboriginal peoples utilized these songlines long before the advent of written language, employing them as spiritual and mnemonic tools to traverse Australia's diverse and challenging landscapes. According to Australia's National Maritime Museum:
"For countless generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have traversed their lands and seas using pathways known as songlines or dreaming tracks. These songlines are rooted in the creation stories of the land and water during the Dreaming, detailing landmarks, natural features, and significant locations."
Songlines not only aid in navigation but also encapsulate cultural, historical, and legal knowledge through their narrative forms.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Seven Sisters
One of the most celebrated songlines is The Seven Sisters, symbolized by the Pleiades constellation in the night sky. This tale involves themes of pursuit, escape, and familial bonds, telling the story of a shape-shifting antagonist chasing the sisters across various landscapes. For a retelling of this songline, you can watch Timmy Douglas, a First Nation Elder, recount the tale.
Section 1.2: Previous Discoveries
From 2015 to 2019, marine geologist Mick O'Leary and a diverse team of specialists made significant archaeological discoveries off the coast of Western Australia. They identified two submerged ancient Aboriginal sites: Cape Bruguieres and Flying Foam Passage. At Cape Bruguieres, the team uncovered numerous stone tools, while Flying Foam Passage revealed evidence of human activity linked to a submerged freshwater spring.
Radiocarbon dating indicates that these sites date back at least 7,000 years, submerged due to rising sea levels. Their findings were published in July 2020 in the journal PLOS ONE.
Chapter 2: Linking Knowledge Across Time
Songline Of An Ancient Roadmap | BELIEF - YouTube: This video explores how songlines serve as a roadmap for understanding ancient human navigation and cultural practices.
After their initial discoveries, the researchers returned for further investigation, publishing their latest findings in August 2023 in Quaternary Science Reviews. The challenging conditions of Flying Foam Passage, characterized by strong tidal currents, limited their dive time. Despite the obstacles, their meticulous planning and advanced technology enabled them to find additional artifacts dating back to 9,000 B.C.E.
Landscaping Eastern Australia through the Colonial Survey - YouTube: This video provides insights into the impact of colonial surveys on the understanding of Aboriginal land use and songlines.
Section 2.1: A New Connection
Upon completing their research, the team presented digital models of the watering holes to a group of First Nations Elders. Timmy Douglas, an Elder, recognized these watering holes from a songline he had known throughout his life. Remarkably, he had only seen part of the terrain described in the songline, never the watering holes themselves.
This connection suggests that the songline may date back over 7,000 years, originating when the watering holes were situated over 60 miles inland, prior to being submerged.
Section 2.2: The Future of Research
O'Leary and his colleagues did not initially use the songline as a research guide; however, they now realize the potential of intertwining Western scientific methods with Indigenous knowledge. O'Leary emphasizes the importance of this collaborative approach, stating:
"We really see now you need to weave together the Western science and Indigenous knowledge, braid it together, so it's not done as two separate things. When these things are overlaid together, you get a more holistic picture of Sea Country."
Sea Country refers to the underwater regions where ancient peoples once thrived. Jonathan Benjamin, an archaeologist at Flinders University, estimates that there are likely thousands of additional submerged First Nations sites along Australia's coastlines.
In addition to enhancing our understanding of Aboriginal history, these discoveries are prompting policymakers to reconsider plans for seafloor mining and to prioritize the protection of these significant sites.
Section 2.3: The Power of Storytelling
Stories have always been a vital means of sharing knowledge across generations. Unlike the game of telephone, where messages can be altered, songs maintain a melody that helps preserve the original narrative. This preservation may stem from the rhythmic nature of songs, which potentially reduces the distortion of stories over time.
This article originally appeared in the author's newsletter, Curious Adventure, and has been edited for publication on Medium.
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