Fire and Forest: How Early Tasmanians Shaped Their World

Over 41,000 years ago, some of the first humans to set foot in Tasmania used fire to transform dense forests into landscapes fit for survival, according to new research. This discovery, the earliest evidence of fire-based landscape management in Tasmania, highlights the ingenuity of these ancient communities and their connection to the land.

Journal: Science Advances, November 15, 2024, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp6579 | Reading time: 6 minutes

Unveiling Ancient Land Managers

Led by Dr. Matthew Adeleye from the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with the Australian National University (ANU), researchers analyzed charcoal and pollen in ancient mud from Tasmania’s Bass Strait islands. Their findings revealed that Indigenous Tasmanians, known as the Palawa or Pakana people, employed controlled burns to clear dense wet forests. This practice began around 41,600 years ago, predating previous estimates by approximately 2,000 years.

â€œThese early Tasmanian communities were the islandâ€s first land managers,â€ said Adeleye, who completed his PhD at ANU. The analysis showed a sharp increase in charcoal deposits, coinciding with changes in vegetation, as forests transitioned to open landscapes conducive to human activity. Such changes suggest deliberate use of fire to modify the environment.

This transformative era occurred during the last ice age, a time when Tasmania was connected to mainland Australia by a land bridge. Migration across this expanse, known as Sahul, enabled the settlement of Lutruwita (Tasmania). Using fire as a tool, these communities adapted to their glacial surroundings and established a sustainable way of life.

The Science of Fire and Adaptation

To uncover this deep history, researchers extracted core samples of ancient mud. Charcoal fragments signified fires, while pollen grains revealed vegetation changes. According to Adeleye, these early inhabitants used fire strategically: â€œAs natural habitats adapted to cultural burning, we see the expansion of fire-adapted species such as Eucalyptus, primarily on the wetter side of the Bass Strait islands.â€

These findings confirm that the Palawa peopleâ€s use of fire shaped ecosystems, fostering species that thrived in burned environments. Such practices align with broader Aboriginal fire use across Sahul, where fire facilitated not only survival but also cultural expression. The implications of these discoveries extend beyond the past. Understanding this ancient connection between people and the land could inform modern approaches to ecological restoration and wildfire management in Australia.

Bridging the Past and Future

The researchers emphasize the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge into contemporary landscape management. Professor Simon Haberle of ANU remarked, â€œTo protect Tasmanian and Australian landscapes for future generations, itâ€s vital that we listen and learn from Indigenous communities who are calling for a greater role in helping to manage Australian landscapes into the future.â€

Cultural burning, a practice still maintained by many Aboriginal communities, holds potential for addressing Australiaâ€s wildfire challenges. However, its broader adoption remains contentious. This research underscores the need for partnerships that respect and incorporate Indigenous expertise, especially as climate change heightens fire risks globally.

Glossary

Palawa/Pakana: Indigenous peoples of Tasmania, also known as Lutruwita.
Cultural Burning: Controlled fire practices used by Indigenous communities to manage landscapes sustainably.
Sahul: A prehistoric landmass that included Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea, and nearby islands.
Charcoal Analysis: A method of studying past fire events by examining microscopic charcoal fragments in sediment.
Eucalyptus: A genus of fire-adapted trees native to Australia.