How were early New Guinea different from Australia’s first people
There are several key differences between the early people of New Guinea and Australia's first people:
1. Geographic location: The early inhabitants of New Guinea were living on an island that is much larger and more geographically diverse than Australia. This meant that the people of New Guinea had access to a wider variety of resources and landscapes, including mountains, forests, and coastal areas. In contrast, Australia's first people were living on a large, isolated continent with a more arid and flat landscape.
2. Technology and agriculture: The people of New Guinea were early adopters of agriculture, domesticating crops like yams and taro around 10,000 years ago. They also developed complex gardening techniques such as terraced farming and irrigation systems. In contrast, Australia's first people were primarily hunter-gatherers, relying on the natural resources of the land for survival.
3. Social organization: The people of New Guinea lived in small, scattered villages with a more egalitarian social structure. They had complex kinship systems and often engaged in trade and warfare with neighboring tribes. Australia's first people also lived in small, nomadic groups, but their social organization was based more on kinship and totemic beliefs.
4. Languages and cultures: The people of New Guinea speak over 800 different languages and have a rich diversity of cultures and traditions. In contrast, Australia's first people spoke around 250 different languages and had their own unique cultural practices and beliefs.
Overall, while there are some similarities between the early people of New Guinea and Australia's first people, there are also significant differences in terms of their geographic location, technology, social organization, and culture.