Oh dear, Here comes those Atlantis/Lumeria posts.

[guyfriday]

So, we get this neat discovery off the coast of Australia. 
From: New York Post

Scientists stumbled upon a massive forgotten colony off the coast of Australia that was once home to hundreds of thousands of people.

Various artifacts and signs of human life were discovered on the northwest shelf of Sahul, located off the coast of the northern region of Kimberley on a landmass that connects to New Guinea, according to a study in Quaternary Science Reviews.

The drowned piece of land was likely a thriving ecosystem during the Late Pleistocene period, which dates back as far as 2.5 million years.
The now-submerged landmass was nearly 250,000 square miles — more than 1.6 times the size of the United Kingdom.

So most likely someone will just insist that this is Lumeria, but seriously people this is a cool discovery. 

The shelf — once thought to be a desert — was filled with habitable fresh and saltwater lakes, rivers and streams, as well as a large inland sea, that could have supported between 50,000 and 500,000 people.
It may have also served as a bridge for people to walk onto Australia before it became the massive island it is known as today.

This discovery could lead to a new understanding of the population of Australia and the surrounding lands. 

[jaded]

Exciting find!
Fortunately lots of archeology sites are under water where we couldn't get at them to destroy 'em. 
Lucky for us.

Everytime I see something like this I always wonder why, aside from the science aspects, why Aboriginals aren't asked where or if this is included in their Dreamtime oral history? Even if done non-publicly? 

From the outside it's never made any sense that history books brag about the AU Aboriginals long residence and eons long oral record of Australia but whenever something new is found any info they could contribute isn't even asked of them. Of course I "get" that the AU govt just wishes they'd go away but the rest of the world is facinated with their stories-oral history-longevity.

Not looking to delve into AU politics or past behavior, just curious.

[Byrd]

From the outside it's never made any sense that history books brag about the AU Aboriginals long residence and eons long oral record of Australia but whenever something new is found any info they could contribute isn't even asked of them. 

Three reasons:
1) Some of the Dreamtime history is sacred and not shared with outsiders.
2) Some of those who answer are not lore keepers and may get the information wrong (or may deliberately lie to protect sacred traditions.
3) Oral history is not THAT reliable.

To elaborate:

...on the first point, many aboriginal people across the world have been angered and frustrated to find their teachings copied and then warped (the idea of having a "spirit animal", borrowed from one or two of the over 500 Native American religious practices is a good example) and then commercialized.  These are traditions taught in a certain way and were not intended as something to be given to the world for casual amusement.  Sometimes these traditions involve acts that must take place over a period of years (the Sun Dance is one of those) -- something that our "hurry up and do it now" culture doesn't respect.

...on the second point, many native people, shoved into reservations and ignored, have had their traditions broken by missionaries and other visitors and by the pace of the modern world.  Some, who want a better life, will sell their version of the practice (sweat lodges, for instance) -- and these hasty things often bring unintended harm to the participants.

...on that third point... a few of you (like my husband) have excellent memories but very very few (only 62 documented cases) have such exceptional memories that they can accurately recall things like weather, foods eaten, etc, on days when nothing unusual happened.  Those with this kind of recall can't actually teach it all to someone else.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exceptional_memory)  If I asked all of you to recall some particularly significant or stressful event, most of you couldn't recall the full day (what you had for breakfast, names of people you spoke to, addresses of locations, clothing color of people around you unless the event was pretty focused with a limited number of people and happenings.

[jaded]

Thanks Byrd!!

I was aware the Dreamtime particulars weren't for everyone aside from having mandatory protocols
that must be respected as well. Just wondered if asked, do or did they have knowledge of the sunken land, or peoples to their north? 

Nothing too too intrusive to inquire about. 
Had considered if a name of the land or people were known even by a not-quite-correct name it could be backtracked linguistically. Yes I'm that optimistic!!

Cultural misapropriation is a major problem. As is the entire "pay to pray" BS going on outside the reserves/rez's. The harm in participating in another cultures practices can indeed run the gamut.
Was aquainted with someone attempting a sweat lodge in Lakota way. Number one the lodges the Lakota have are known a "burners". Not for the faint of heart. 

Number two is Lodges are built in a specific way. This guy didn't want to take the time to cut the willow or anything more than minimally required effort. He built the frame out of PVC. Swear to God!! It btw melted so shortest Lodge ever! Not to be deterred second try consisted of copper piping. We died laughing, altho it did take a bit of time for the shock to wear off. Everyones first response was No frigging way!!!?? Also again, it was the shortest lodge ever. 
This really happened an thought you'd get a kick out of it. 

[guyfriday]

Thanks Byrd!!

I was aware the Dreamtime particulars weren't for everyone aside from having mandatory protocols
that must be respected as well. Just wondered if asked, do or did they have knowledge of the sunken land, or peoples to their north? 

It would be about as useful as asking a Brit about the land between them and France.
As discussed in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5XVxKNzhjQ

At a certain point the truth becomes myth and trying to figure it all takes time and well... digging.

[jaded]

It would be about as useful as asking a Brit about the land between them and France.
As discussed in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5XVxKNzhjQ

At a certain point the truth becomes myth and trying to figure it all takes time and well... digging.

Cool Video!
It's frustrating some of the most interesting rich archeological area's are under water.