DNA analysis suggests first Australians arrived about 60,000 years ago

A new genetic study published in Science Advances suggests that Indigenous Australians arrived on the ancient landmass of Sahul, now known as Australia and New Guinea, around 60,000 to 65,000 years ago, aligning more closely with archaeological evidence. This research, which analyzed mitochondrial DNA from Indigenous people in Australia and New Guinea, indicates that early humans traveled via two routes, crossing 100 kilometers of open water. The findings support the 'long chronology' theory, which posits an earlier arrival date than the 'short chronology' based on genetic evidence. While the study provides a significant contribution to understanding the migration timeline, some experts argue that further research is needed to resolve the ongoing debate between genetic and archaeological evidence.