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New Study Reveals Ancient Human Migration to Australia

12/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A new genetic study finds modern humans settled in Australia and nearby regions around 60,000 years ago.
Researchers analyzed nearly 2,500 mitochondrial genomes from Indigenous communities and identified two migration routes.
One route went from the Indonesian islands to Australia, and another through the northern corridor to New Guinea.
Combined with archaeological evidence, the findings imply early humans used watercraft to navigate oceanic routes.

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Story summary

A new genetic study finds modern humans settled in Australia and nearby regions around 60,000 years ago.
Researchers analyzed nearly 2,500 mitochondrial genomes from Indigenous communities and identified two migration routes.
One route went from the Indonesian islands to Australia, and another through the northern corridor to New Guinea.
Combined with archaeological evidence, the findings imply early humans used watercraft to navigate oceanic routes.