A Journey Across the Sea: Deep Time in Australia

A Journey Across the Sea: Deep Time in Australia is a ready-to-use Year 7 History reading comprehension resource exploring how the first peoples reached Sahul, how Ice Age sea levels reshaped the Australian continent, and how archaeological evidence helps historians investigate the deep past.

Students examine the significance of Madjedbebe, the role of the Mirarr Traditional Owners, evidence including stone tools, grinding stones and ochre, and the use of optical dating. The resource also develops historical inquiry skills by asking students to distinguish between evidence, interpretation and what remains unknown.

Year level and topic

Suitable for Year 7 History, particularly units on Deep Time Australia, the ancient past, archaeology, First Nations histories and the peopling of Sahul.

Key knowledge and skills

• Explain how lower Ice Age sea levels created Sahul and Sunda
• Describe why sea crossings were still required to reach Sahul
• Interpret archaeological evidence from Madjedbebe
• Explain how optical dating contributes to historical knowledge
• Recognise the importance of consultation with Traditional Owners
• Use evidence to construct a short historical discovery report

What is included

• Four-slide teaching presentation introducing Deep Time in Australia
• Four-page student digital reading and activity booklet
• Teacher version with checkpoint answers and a model discovery report
• Vocabulary support, source boxes, maps and scaffolded comprehension questions

Suggested classroom uses

Use the resource for explicit teaching, guided reading, independent work, source analysis, revision, relief lessons, sub plans, distance learning, absent students or a flipped classroom activity.

Australian Curriculum alignment

This resource supports Year 7 History learning about Deep Time Australia and develops skills in chronology, historical evidence, interpretation, explanation and inquiry. Relevant content and skills outcomes should be selected according to the curriculum framework used by the school.

Digital download. Customer files must be attached separately through Big Digital Download.