Sahul

What Was Sahul?

Sahul was a very old land that existed long, long ago. It included places we now call mainland Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea, and the Aru Islands. This land was in the south-western part of the Pacific Ocean.

How Did Sahul Change?

Over millions of years, the shape of Sahul changed a lot. When the ocean level went down, more land showed up and connected these places. But when the water rose again, some areas became islands. Around 8,000 years ago, New Guinea moved away from mainland Australia. And about 6,000 years ago, Tasmania became its own island.

Animals and People of Sahul

Sahul was a special place for animals. Many unique creatures lived there, especially marsupials like wombats and kangaroos. Other animals included bats and small rodents. People also lived in Sahul a very long time ago. They traveled from a place called Sunda through Wallacea and then spread out across Oceania.

Why Do We Talk About Sahul?

Scientists and historians use the name Sahul when they study the past. Some other experts call it Meganesia. The name helps us understand how these lands were connected long ago and how animals and people moved between them.