The first humans arrived upon the landmass now known as Australia around 60,000 years ago along two distinct routes, according to a new genomics study.

The question of when humans first arrived on the continent is contentious among archeologists . Some cite previous genetic evidence that suggests dates of around 45 to 50,000 years ago , while others suggest the southern landmass may have been peopled as early as 65,000 years ago .

The new study, based on almost 2,500 sets of mitochondrial DNA from indigenous peoples of Australia, New Guinea, Oceania, and Southeast Asia , adds further support to an earlier arrival date, while also revealing it was not a singular voyage.

Sahul was a landmass that existed during the Pleistocene epoch , made up of what we now call Australia, Tasm

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