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A national research team suggests that pre‑colonial Indigenous population in Australia was about 2.2 million, far higher than the long‑held estimate of 250,000, highlighting a devastating decline due to disease, violence and dispossession.
Some now believe there could have been about 2.2 million Indigenous Australians living here before the British colonised the continent in 1788 For nearly a century, Australians have believed that around 250,000 people lived here before colonisation.
New research from a national team of academics suggests that number is far too low. They believe there could have been about 2.2 million Indigenous Australians living here before the British colonised the continent in 1788. SBS News reporter Josie Harvey spoke with Corey Bradshaw, a professor of global ecology at Flinders University, who co-led the research. He says the findings point to a devastating population decline by more than two million after 1788, driven by disease, violence and dispossession.
Professor Bradshaw says understanding that history is vital to truth-telling, reconciliation and recognising the resilience of First Nations communities. For nearly a century, Australians have believed that around 250,000 people lived here before colonisation. New research from a national team of academics suggests that number is far too low. They believe there could have been about 2.2 million Indigenous Australians living here before the British colonised the continent in 1788.
SBS News reporter Josie Harvey spoke with Corey Bradshaw, a professor of global ecology at Flinders University, who co-led the research. He says the findings point to a devastating population decline by more than two million after 1788, driven by disease, violence and dispossession. Professor Bradshaw says understanding that history is vital to truth-telling, reconciliation and recognising the resilience of First Nations communities. Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world.
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Indigenous Population Colonisation Impact Population Decline Reconciliation Historical Research
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