| − | [[Archaeology|Archaeological]] evidence indicates 40 to 45 thousand years of continuous occupation of the [[Australia]]n mainland by indigenous people. Since the colonization of [[Australia]] by [[England]] in 1788, the original inhabitants of [[Australia]] have been known until recently as “Aborigines”. They make up about 2.4% of Australia's population. | + | [[Archaeology|Archaeological]] evidence indicates 40 to 45 thousand years of continuous occupation of the [[Australia]]n mainland by indigenous people. However, others contend that the universe is only 6,000 years old, so this evidence is often considered to be mistaken. Since the colonization of [[Australia]] by [[Britain]] in 1788, the original inhabitants of [[Australia]] have been known until recently as “Aborigines”. They make up about 2.4% of Australia's population. |