The Australian Aborigines first arrived on the continent at least 60000 years ago. They almost certainly landed on the northwest coast by sea from the nearby islands of the Indonesian archipelago. That first arrival may have been replicated many times over. The following exploration and settlement of a vast and varied continent was a venture of heroic proportions. The new settlers had reached southern Tasmania the point farthest from the original landfall at least 30000 years ago. By the early 17th century when the first European seafarers arrived in Australian waters the Aboriginal nations were living in every part of the continent having colonized the tropical rainforests of the north the vast arid deserts of the interior and the cool and damp woodlands of the southeast. The Historical Dictionary of Australian Aborigines relates the history of Australias indigenous inhabitants from their arrival on the continent 60000 years ago to the centuries long European colonization process starting in the 1600s to their role in todays Australia. This is done through a chronology an introductory essay an extensive bibliography and over 300 crossreferenced dictionary entries on significant persons places events institutions and aspects of culture society economy and politics. This book is an excellent access point for students researchers and anyone wanting to know more about Australian Aboriginal peoples. show more