The genomic history of Indigenous Australia

The oral traditions of Aboriginal Australians attest to a long and abiding connection between people and their Country. By analysing DNA from hundreds of historic Aboriginal Australian hair samples, we provide striking empirical evidence of this ancient connection, revealing that modern Aboriginal Australians are the direct descendants of human migrants that arrived in Australia around 50,000 years ago. Strikingly, we see little evidence of population movements across the Australian continent over the subsequent 50,000 years, despite considerable climate and environmental change, suggesting a degree of geographical regionalism that may be unique in the world and reinforces the central importance of County for Aboriginal identity.