1 00:00:33,466 --> 00:00:36,733 Some Aboriginal stories tell of a solid sky-dome 2 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:39,033 around the Earth. 3 00:00:41,933 --> 00:00:44,766 When we die, we are transported beyond the dome 4 00:00:44,900 --> 00:00:46,540 to join our Ancestors. 5 00:00:53,066 --> 00:00:54,550 On Earth, we see our Ancestors 6 00:00:54,533 --> 00:00:56,333 as stars, shining 7 00:00:56,333 --> 00:00:59,150 through the holes in the cover of the dome. 8 00:01:07,133 --> 00:01:09,300 In this story, on this dome, 9 00:01:09,366 --> 00:01:12,233 we follow our Ancestors on a journey, 10 00:01:12,233 --> 00:01:13,999 deep into Country. 11 00:01:18,233 --> 00:01:21,066 We First Australians travelled across continents 12 00:01:21,133 --> 00:01:22,950 and oceans to this country. 13 00:01:29,166 --> 00:01:31,500 These are our ancient paths of migration, 14 00:01:33,250 --> 00:01:35,100 trade and marriage. 15 00:01:35,966 --> 00:01:37,350 Our songlines. 16 00:01:38,900 --> 00:01:40,666 Through them, we humanised 17 00:01:40,733 --> 00:01:43,600 and connected every corner of the continent. 18 00:01:45,133 --> 00:01:47,433 Linking hundreds of Nations, 19 00:01:47,433 --> 00:01:49,050 connecting us all. 20 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:55,890 Time changes Country. 21 00:01:56,833 --> 00:01:58,250 The seas have risen. 22 00:02:00,066 --> 00:02:01,650 This land has changed. 23 00:02:03,066 --> 00:02:05,150 The past has been buried. 24 00:02:07,133 --> 00:02:09,700 With many voices, and in many languages, 25 00:02:10,133 --> 00:02:12,366 we will show you some of the hidden tracks 26 00:02:12,366 --> 00:02:15,570 and traces our Ancestors left behind. 27 00:02:17,966 --> 00:02:20,733 We will travel these ancient paths 28 00:02:20,733 --> 00:02:24,500 and share some of the deep-time stories 29 00:02:24,500 --> 00:02:27,566 illuminated by new relationships between emerging research 30 00:02:27,567 --> 00:02:29,666 and First Nations knowledge. 31 00:02:35,533 --> 00:02:37,533 This is The Earth Above: 32 00:02:37,533 --> 00:02:41,945 A Deep Time View of Australia's Epic History. 33 00:02:49,466 --> 00:02:53,000 This is Girraween Lagoon, Northern Territory. 34 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:54,250 Our Country. 35 00:02:54,250 --> 00:02:56,266 Country of the Larrakia and Wulna people. 36 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:00,066 Wait... 37 00:03:00,066 --> 00:03:03,533 We've got to sing out to our Country, our Old People. 38 00:03:03,533 --> 00:03:06,050 Our Ancestors. 39 00:03:06,050 --> 00:03:07,533 Let them know we're coming. 40 00:03:07,833 --> 00:03:15,566 (LARRAKIA AND WULNA LANGUAGES) Calling out to the Ancestors 41 00:03:15,566 --> 00:03:17,533 The land and water here is important to Larrakia 42 00:03:17,966 --> 00:03:19,430 as it holds much knowledge. 43 00:03:20,500 --> 00:03:23,800 Girraween Lagoon is known as the Place of Flowers. 44 00:03:25,166 --> 00:03:27,600 The word for flower in Larrakia is Darla. 45 00:03:30,166 --> 00:03:33,000 Our Alap told us that the flowers, 46 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:35,133 they call up the cold wind and the cold seasons. 47 00:03:36,566 --> 00:03:39,666 Different flowers show us when the skies will be clear, 48 00:03:40,900 --> 00:03:42,350 when the wet season will come, 49 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:45,300 when the birds will lay their eggs, 50 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:47,853 even when to burn Country. 51 00:03:52,925 --> 00:03:54,766 Larrakia, we don't have four seasons, 52 00:03:54,766 --> 00:03:56,766 we have seven seasons. 53 00:03:58,766 --> 00:04:00,833 Gurrulwa Guligi means big wind time. 54 00:04:02,460 --> 00:04:06,333 The wind seems to come from all directions, hot and chaotic. 55 00:04:07,333 --> 00:04:08,650 This is a time of plenty. 56 00:04:11,266 --> 00:04:15,000 Dalirrgang is the build-up season - hot and humid, 57 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:17,900 and the air is thick as we wait for the big rains. 58 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:23,200 Balnba - this is the start of the wet season. 59 00:04:24,933 --> 00:04:27,100 Balnba Guligi Bigarrk - big rain coming. 60 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:35,620 Dalay is the monsoon season. 61 00:04:40,950 --> 00:04:42,833 Mayilema is the spear grass season. 62 00:04:51,150 --> 00:04:53,900 Damibila is the Larrakia word for Barramundi. 63 00:04:54,366 --> 00:04:57,120 Skies clear up and the water lilies start to flower. 64 00:05:01,100 --> 00:05:04,400 Dinidjanggama means heavy dew - cold weather season. 65 00:05:07,133 --> 00:05:09,900 Larrakia burn the grass at night to help regrowth. 66 00:05:12,866 --> 00:05:16,500 And we return to Gurrulwa Guligi - the big wind time. 67 00:05:17,100 --> 00:05:20,233 This is a time for us Larrakia to celebrate life. 68 00:05:21,133 --> 00:05:24,850 It's the rejuvenation and rebirth of people and Country. 69 00:05:27,933 --> 00:05:30,823 The flowers of Girraween hold the knowledge 70 00:05:30,823 --> 00:05:34,890 of our seasons, and they also unlock a deep-time story. 71 00:05:36,066 --> 00:05:37,533 The flowers create pollen 72 00:05:38,366 --> 00:05:41,333 and every season of every year, the pollen falls 73 00:05:41,533 --> 00:05:43,800 and is buried in the mud beneath the lagoon. 74 00:05:51,700 --> 00:05:53,833 Over thousands and thousands of years, 75 00:05:53,833 --> 00:05:57,000 the pollen has built up at the bottom of the lagoon, 76 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:59,100 becoming a deep-time record. 77 00:06:03,733 --> 00:06:06,733 Researchers have taken a 19 metre-deep sample 78 00:06:06,733 --> 00:06:08,836 of the sediment from the bottom of the lagoon. 79 00:06:13,500 --> 00:06:15,900 This sample is a perfect time capsule. 80 00:06:17,966 --> 00:06:21,450 The deeper we go, the further back in time we go. 81 00:06:23,166 --> 00:06:25,800 In the pollen records, we can identify all the plants 82 00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:27,533 and flowers from that time, 83 00:06:27,533 --> 00:06:29,310 and how things have changed. 84 00:06:32,633 --> 00:06:33,933 With this knowledge, 85 00:06:33,933 --> 00:06:36,199 we can reconstruct ancient landscapes. 86 00:06:39,766 --> 00:06:41,233 140,000 years ago, 87 00:06:41,233 --> 00:06:43,535 the lagoon was small and swampy. 88 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:46,000 Over tens of thousands of years, it became more open and deeper, 89 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:51,133 surrounded by mangroves and rainforests. 90 00:06:54,700 --> 00:06:56,333 By 70,000 years ago, 91 00:06:56,333 --> 00:06:57,733 it's shallower, 92 00:06:58,566 --> 00:06:59,633 and choked with grasses 93 00:06:59,633 --> 00:07:01,670 and the trees are much smaller. 94 00:07:04,866 --> 00:07:06,820 During the last ice age, 95 00:07:06,820 --> 00:07:09,233 the lagoon was at its smallest, and driest. 96 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:15,933 About 15,000 years ago 97 00:07:15,933 --> 00:07:17,966 as temperatures rose and the rains returned 98 00:07:17,966 --> 00:07:20,933 the lagoon became bigger and deeper, 99 00:07:20,933 --> 00:07:23,222 with more plants and flowers than ever before. 100 00:07:26,033 --> 00:07:27,333 In the landscapes of the deep past 101 00:07:27,333 --> 00:07:29,833 we see resilience and change. 102 00:07:30,566 --> 00:07:32,400 It is part of who we are now. 103 00:07:33,700 --> 00:07:35,766 Combining our Traditional Larrakia knowledge 104 00:07:35,766 --> 00:07:37,400 with western science shows 105 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:39,566 that changes are happening faster than ever. 106 00:07:41,066 --> 00:07:44,300 This Place of Flowers used to change on its own time. 107 00:07:45,300 --> 00:07:47,866 Now, as the suburbs infringe, 108 00:07:47,866 --> 00:07:49,900 it changes on human time. 109 00:07:51,866 --> 00:07:53,233 Larrakia and Wulna are the First People 110 00:07:53,233 --> 00:07:55,666 to walk across this Country. We are the Custodians 111 00:07:55,666 --> 00:07:57,233 and Traditional Owners of this place. 112 00:07:59,100 --> 00:08:01,200 So now you know a little bit more, we'd like to welcome you. 113 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:12,233 (LARRAKIA AND WULNA LANGUAGES) Welcome To Country 114 00:08:23,833 --> 00:08:25,033 Like the Ancestors, 115 00:08:25,166 --> 00:08:29,366 let's travel across the ancient paths to the other side 116 00:08:29,366 --> 00:08:30,555 of the island. 117 00:08:31,266 --> 00:08:33,466 Far to the south, to a place 118 00:08:33,466 --> 00:08:34,900 of magic and ceremony. 119 00:08:46,750 --> 00:08:48,433 This is Krauatungalung Country, 120 00:08:48,433 --> 00:08:51,366 one of the five clans of the Gunaikurnai 121 00:08:51,366 --> 00:08:54,433 in East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. 122 00:08:55,900 --> 00:08:57,166 Takkatur - Welcome. 123 00:08:59,666 --> 00:09:02,666 We're on an ancient river, the Buchan River, 124 00:09:02,666 --> 00:09:04,410 that flows across this valley. 125 00:09:06,333 --> 00:09:09,166 Over millions of years, there was weathering and erosion 126 00:09:09,166 --> 00:09:10,300 of rocks and hills. 127 00:09:12,966 --> 00:09:16,333 This cave was cut by erosion around 5 million years ago. 128 00:09:20,866 --> 00:09:22,900 There are many caves across Gunaikurnai Country 129 00:09:22,900 --> 00:09:24,066 that are special. 130 00:09:25,533 --> 00:09:26,866 This one is extraordinary. 131 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:31,100 This is Cloggs Cave. 132 00:09:36,330 --> 00:09:38,966 Some archaeologists thought people came here just 133 00:09:38,966 --> 00:09:41,266 to shelter. 134 00:09:41,566 --> 00:09:44,500 But Gunaikurnai always knew this was a site of medicine, 135 00:09:45,060 --> 00:09:47,033 of miracles, and magic. 136 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,666 Combining Gunaikurnai cultural knowledge 137 00:09:50,666 --> 00:09:53,000 with new archaeological methods 138 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:55,133 illuminates a more meaningful 139 00:09:55,133 --> 00:09:56,260 and accurate story. 140 00:10:00,533 --> 00:10:03,533 Gunaikurnai Elders talk about the medicine men coming here. 141 00:10:04,630 --> 00:10:06,266 They call them Mulla-Mullung. 142 00:10:06,300 --> 00:10:08,566 The Mulla-Mullung used stones, 143 00:10:09,566 --> 00:10:11,566 crystals, sticks, 144 00:10:11,566 --> 00:10:13,800 and many other things to make their medicine. 145 00:10:14,533 --> 00:10:17,266 New research has revealed two 146 00:10:17,266 --> 00:10:20,266 fireplaces near the front of this cave, 147 00:10:20,266 --> 00:10:22,333 too small for food or light. 148 00:10:23,166 --> 00:10:25,350 They were made for rituals and medicine. 149 00:10:27,166 --> 00:10:28,866 Radiocarbon dating has revealed 150 00:10:28,866 --> 00:10:30,466 that charcoal found in the fireplace 151 00:10:30,466 --> 00:10:32,486 is from a Casuarina stick. 152 00:10:33,433 --> 00:10:36,860 Traces of a 13,000 year old medicine ceremony. 153 00:10:58,900 --> 00:11:00,650 But the caves could be dangerous. 154 00:11:04,500 --> 00:11:08,490 There were stories about the Nargun. 155 00:11:08,500 --> 00:11:11,150 Nargun was a terrifying creature, partly made of stone. 156 00:11:12,066 --> 00:11:14,833 The Nargun lurks in caves and would snatch people up 157 00:11:14,833 --> 00:11:18,033 and carry them back to their lair. 158 00:11:26,066 --> 00:11:28,850 Only magic could protect people from 159 00:11:28,850 --> 00:11:30,233 this terrifying creature. 160 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:35,933 At the back of the cave are stalactites 161 00:11:36,233 --> 00:11:39,999 made of calcite that glow when they're wet. 162 00:11:44,066 --> 00:11:46,233 Over 23,000 years ago, 163 00:11:46,233 --> 00:11:48,233 a Mulla-Mullung snapped off 164 00:11:48,233 --> 00:11:50,190 and collected these stalactites 165 00:11:50,190 --> 00:11:52,000 for their special powers of protection. 166 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:03,000 By spreading ash and powders across the floor of the cave, 167 00:12:03,033 --> 00:12:04,566 the Mulla-Mullung could check 168 00:12:04,566 --> 00:12:06,566 if Nargun has been around 169 00:12:06,566 --> 00:12:07,550 and protect the Country. 170 00:12:23,866 --> 00:12:27,766 Today, Gunaikurnai continue to come to this cave. 171 00:12:28,239 --> 00:12:30,933 We believe our old Ancestors still 172 00:12:30,933 --> 00:12:32,245 live across the landscape. 173 00:12:34,100 --> 00:12:36,050 Their spirits are still here. 174 00:12:40,833 --> 00:12:44,033 So when research happens at Cloggs Cave and across our Country, 175 00:12:44,033 --> 00:12:46,800 it comes with the responsibility to look 176 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:47,966 after the physical place 177 00:12:49,133 --> 00:12:52,880 and to make sure respect is shown to Gunaikurnai culture. 178 00:12:53,500 --> 00:12:55,533 We are Custodians 179 00:12:55,533 --> 00:12:58,450 and we want to pass on knowledge to the next generations. 180 00:13:00,700 --> 00:13:04,700 So now that you know a bit of the story of Gunaikurnai Country, 181 00:13:04,700 --> 00:13:05,860 we'd like to welcome you. 182 00:13:08,433 --> 00:13:11,999 Takkatur Ta Wurruk. Welcome to Country 183 00:13:24,866 --> 00:13:28,200 From a cave on the edge of an ancient riverbed, 184 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:32,233 we travel to the edge of the desert, 185 00:13:32,233 --> 00:13:34,540 where some of the most ancient traces of the Ancestors. 186 00:13:34,540 --> 00:13:36,033 have been found. 187 00:14:03,766 --> 00:14:11,033 (BARKANDJI LANGUAGE) Calling out to the Ancestors 188 00:14:11,300 --> 00:14:13,366 So we've always got to make a noise wherever we go 189 00:14:13,366 --> 00:14:15,466 to grieve our Ancestors, 190 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:19,766 but their spirits are still here so we've got to let them know. 191 00:14:22,500 --> 00:14:26,433 (BARKANDJI LANGUAGE) We welcome you here. Come with us on to our Country. 192 00:14:26,433 --> 00:14:30,500 (BARKANDJI LANGUAGE) Come with us on to our Country, I’m inviting you all. 193 00:14:30,500 --> 00:14:33,066 (BARKANDJI LANGUAGE) I'm speaking to you children. 194 00:14:36,566 --> 00:14:37,999 This is Mungo. 195 00:14:39,466 --> 00:14:41,050 My Country. 196 00:14:42,033 --> 00:14:43,200 Country of 197 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:46,666 the Barkandji, Ngyiampaa and Mutthi Mutthi people. 198 00:14:46,733 --> 00:14:47,999 My people. 199 00:14:54,455 --> 00:14:56,700 My family have always been here. 200 00:15:03,500 --> 00:15:05,100 Time changes Country. 201 00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:13,900 Thousands of years ago, this place was wet and green 202 00:15:13,966 --> 00:15:15,300 and brimming with life. 203 00:15:20,710 --> 00:15:22,200 Then it all dried up. 204 00:15:27,766 --> 00:15:32,266 In 2003, the wind from the west blew the sand away, 205 00:15:33,550 --> 00:15:35,999 uncovering an ancient story. 206 00:15:42,700 --> 00:15:46,466 Preserved in mud were partially fossilised footprints. 207 00:15:46,466 --> 00:15:47,766 Hundreds of footprints 208 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:52,050 of our Ancestors walking across our ancestral lands. 209 00:15:59,500 --> 00:16:01,366 Working with archaeologists, 210 00:16:01,366 --> 00:16:03,366 Traditional Owners recorded, mapped, 211 00:16:03,366 --> 00:16:04,870 and dated the tracks. 212 00:16:09,333 --> 00:16:12,700 The footprints are over 20,000 years old, 213 00:16:12,700 --> 00:16:15,600 made when these lakes were drying as the climate changed. 214 00:16:25,300 --> 00:16:28,733 But who were these people who left these footprints? 215 00:16:28,733 --> 00:16:31,750 To answer this, we used Indigenous knowledge. 216 00:16:32,900 --> 00:16:34,000 We invited a group 217 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:36,300 of Pintubi people from the Northern Territory. 218 00:16:36,700 --> 00:16:37,800 Experts at tracking 219 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:40,066 and reading the signs left on the land 220 00:16:40,067 --> 00:16:41,633 by people and animals. 221 00:16:43,433 --> 00:16:44,600 They studied the tracks, 222 00:16:44,833 --> 00:16:46,700 read the signs, and from the evidence, 223 00:16:46,766 --> 00:16:49,066 deciphered many potential stories. 224 00:16:51,466 --> 00:16:54,080 Here is one possible story. 225 00:17:05,466 --> 00:17:09,266 My Father and Uncles left camp before sun up to hunt. 226 00:17:09,266 --> 00:17:12,366 They're so fast and will catch up to us later. 227 00:17:14,300 --> 00:17:17,166 It's cool this morning, my family are traveling east 228 00:17:17,166 --> 00:17:18,950 around the edge of the lakes. 229 00:17:22,566 --> 00:17:24,870 My Nan and Aunties are singing and laughing. 230 00:17:27,700 --> 00:17:30,833 (MUTTHI MUTTHI LANGUAGE) Yithi yan-katharr. I play with my sisters and cousins. 231 00:17:32,566 --> 00:17:33,966 Come back here. 232 00:17:33,966 --> 00:17:34,966 You're always wandering off. 233 00:17:35,833 --> 00:17:39,066 I can feel the mud squelch between my toes. 234 00:17:39,066 --> 00:17:40,400 It feels nice and cool. 235 00:17:41,466 --> 00:17:44,733 But last night Nan said maka-tina-ta-thera - 236 00:17:44,733 --> 00:17:47,533 the water in the lakes is lower than she can ever remember. 237 00:17:49,660 --> 00:17:52,376 The sun's up and it's getting hotter now. 238 00:17:53,533 --> 00:17:57,366 My Dad and Uncle's speared pukumanama - a kangaroo. 239 00:17:59,666 --> 00:18:03,300 They're running to catch us up. Uncle runs with them. 240 00:18:03,300 --> 00:18:05,066 Well, he hops. 241 00:18:05,066 --> 00:18:08,245 He only has one leg, but it hasn't slowed him down. 242 00:18:11,033 --> 00:18:13,645 I get tired, but they can run fast all day. 243 00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:19,640 My cousin sees yamparli- emu. His favourite meal. 244 00:18:20,533 --> 00:18:21,866 He misses. 245 00:18:23,133 --> 00:18:24,933 He always misses. 246 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:31,400 It's getting hot. They need to keep moving. I'll see them soon. 247 00:18:34,866 --> 00:18:37,433 We know this is a special place. 248 00:18:38,300 --> 00:18:40,466 A meeting place since the Dreamtime 249 00:18:40,466 --> 00:18:43,233 and we are still here. 250 00:18:43,800 --> 00:18:46,766 So come and visit, walk with my people. 251 00:18:47,500 --> 00:18:50,433 Let's walk together through time and Country. 252 00:18:50,433 --> 00:19:12,433 (BARKANDJI, MUTTHI MUTTI & NGYIAMPAA LANGUAGES) Welcome to Country 253 00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:17,766 Ancient tracks and songlines 254 00:19:17,766 --> 00:19:20,650 connect hundreds of language Nations. 255 00:19:22,766 --> 00:19:27,600 Let's travel from desert to ocean, to the Sea Country 256 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:30,333 of the saltwater people in the tropical north. 257 00:19:37,033 --> 00:19:45,833 (GUUGU YIMITHIRR LANGUAGE) Calling out to the Ancestors 258 00:19:47,960 --> 00:19:50,999 We're just letting the old people know we're all here. 259 00:19:52,266 --> 00:19:53,533 We are the Dingaal nation 260 00:19:55,066 --> 00:19:59,433 and this is Lizard Island Group, on the Great Barrier Reef. 261 00:19:59,433 --> 00:20:01,933 We call this place Jiigurru. 262 00:20:02,333 --> 00:20:03,933 This country is alive 263 00:20:03,933 --> 00:20:06,245 with our ceremony and story. 264 00:20:07,466 --> 00:20:09,466 The Old People have been here since these 265 00:20:09,566 --> 00:20:10,966 islands were mountains. 266 00:20:12,433 --> 00:20:15,900 When the seas rose thousands of years ago, 267 00:20:15,900 --> 00:20:18,166 we kept coming here. 268 00:20:18,166 --> 00:20:20,033 The sea was no barrier to us. 269 00:20:21,866 --> 00:20:24,733 It's all connected Country. 270 00:20:24,733 --> 00:20:28,366 The islands, the sea, 271 00:20:28,366 --> 00:20:32,200 the land, even the stars. 272 00:20:35,633 --> 00:20:37,120 There's lots of story here. 273 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:41,320 We're going to tell you a Dingaal story. 274 00:20:44,233 --> 00:20:46,933 It connects this island here, Jiigurru, 275 00:20:46,933 --> 00:20:48,866 back to Dingaal, on the mainland of Australia. 276 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:59,200 My Ancestors shaped this Country. Let me show you. 277 00:21:10,690 --> 00:21:12,100 Researchers working with Dingaal people 278 00:21:12,100 --> 00:21:14,866 found over a thousand stone arrangements 279 00:21:14,866 --> 00:21:16,480 made by my Ancestors. 280 00:21:17,666 --> 00:21:19,700 This is the most densely-packed field 281 00:21:19,700 --> 00:21:22,250 of stone arrangements ever found in Australia, 282 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:26,600 and every year we find more and more 283 00:21:27,633 --> 00:21:28,799 and more. 284 00:21:33,500 --> 00:21:36,900 The Old People were hunters, lawmen, 285 00:21:36,900 --> 00:21:38,900 teachers, scientists. 286 00:21:39,466 --> 00:21:40,466 They came here 287 00:21:40,533 --> 00:21:43,980 and built these stone creations to teach our young people. 288 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:47,800 We did ceremony and dance our stories here. 289 00:21:49,100 --> 00:21:52,300 These stones were our classroom. 290 00:21:52,300 --> 00:21:54,366 The Old People made secret patterns 291 00:21:54,366 --> 00:21:55,650 and sculptures of animals. 292 00:21:56,999 --> 00:21:59,800 This one here is a Lowija - a turtle. 293 00:22:02,533 --> 00:22:04,033 These stones are sacred to us. 294 00:22:06,866 --> 00:22:08,733 All of the animals represented in the stones 295 00:22:08,833 --> 00:22:09,920 are sea animals. 296 00:22:11,733 --> 00:22:12,966 It shows our connection 297 00:22:12,966 --> 00:22:14,850 and respect for the law of the Sea Country. 298 00:22:17,333 --> 00:22:19,933 This one is a whale. 299 00:22:19,933 --> 00:22:24,800 We dance, sing, and tell his story to respect his law. 300 00:22:31,833 --> 00:22:33,650 These stones mark our songlines. 301 00:22:34,966 --> 00:22:38,970 They represent much, much more than we can share here today. 302 00:22:42,733 --> 00:22:46,666 Our Ancestors are still in these stones. 303 00:22:46,666 --> 00:22:49,050 They exist in the animals and plants, 304 00:22:50,050 --> 00:22:51,833 in the land, 305 00:22:51,833 --> 00:22:54,350 and in the sea. 306 00:22:59,566 --> 00:23:04,000 That's why we know this Country is also our family. 307 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:07,950 We take care of our family and our family take care of us. 308 00:23:11,733 --> 00:23:13,439 This Country has fed us, 309 00:23:14,866 --> 00:23:17,350 nourished us, for generations. 310 00:23:22,800 --> 00:23:24,550 This is an ancient campsite. 311 00:23:27,833 --> 00:23:31,866 Thousands of generations of Dingaal feasted on shellfish here, 312 00:23:31,866 --> 00:23:33,510 creating this mountain of shell. 313 00:23:35,466 --> 00:23:39,466 Thousands of shells, thousands of ancient feasts, 314 00:23:40,966 --> 00:23:42,650 built up over thousands of years. 315 00:23:44,166 --> 00:23:45,900 We call this a midden. 316 00:23:57,533 --> 00:24:00,650 Working with researchers, we excavated this shell midden. 317 00:24:06,777 --> 00:24:10,050 We found stone and crystal tools, 318 00:24:11,666 --> 00:24:14,066 and charcoal from campfires from six 319 00:24:14,066 --> 00:24:16,666 and a half thousand years ago. 320 00:24:16,666 --> 00:24:20,666 Recently we found these pieces of fired pottery 321 00:24:20,666 --> 00:24:23,333 made from clay from this Country, 322 00:24:24,766 --> 00:24:28,766 the earliest traces of Australian made pottery ever found. 323 00:24:28,766 --> 00:24:30,200 These pots were made here, 324 00:24:31,500 --> 00:24:34,366 but my Ancestors used the same techniques 325 00:24:34,366 --> 00:24:36,600 as people from all across the Coral Sea. 326 00:24:40,066 --> 00:24:42,266 These tiny pieces of pottery showed 327 00:24:42,266 --> 00:24:44,166 that our people traded technology 328 00:24:44,166 --> 00:24:49,600 and law with faraway nations, creating songlines 329 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:53,166 and connections, our earliest 330 00:24:53,166 --> 00:24:54,666 international trade relationships. 331 00:24:58,533 --> 00:25:01,766 Now you know some of the stories from here, 332 00:25:01,766 --> 00:25:02,800 we'd like to welcome you. 333 00:25:02,999 --> 00:25:20,033 (GUUGU YIMITHIRR LANGUAGE) Welcome to Country. 334 00:25:44,900 --> 00:25:47,833 In this story, on this dome, 335 00:25:47,833 --> 00:25:50,833 we've shared a little of our living cultures 336 00:25:50,833 --> 00:25:54,500 and Country. 337 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:57,600 Showing how new research and First Nations knowledge 338 00:25:57,600 --> 00:26:01,999 working together is creating new possibilities. 339 00:26:05,366 --> 00:26:07,100 For First Nations people, 340 00:26:07,100 --> 00:26:11,666 Country is much more than a place. 341 00:26:11,666 --> 00:26:14,066 Country is family. 342 00:26:15,066 --> 00:26:16,900 Culture. 343 00:26:17,033 --> 00:26:18,133 Identity. 344 00:26:18,270 --> 00:26:20,666 Country is where we grow 345 00:26:20,666 --> 00:26:23,466 and how we remember. 346 00:26:23,466 --> 00:26:27,033 And it's where our Ancestors continue to live in the land, 347 00:26:27,033 --> 00:26:29,900 water, and sky. 348 00:26:29,900 --> 00:26:34,200 If we listen to Country, and to each other, 349 00:26:34,200 --> 00:26:38,150 we light a new road forward along new paths, 350 00:26:38,150 --> 00:26:40,300 new songlines, 351 00:26:42,433 --> 00:26:44,200 a new day.