Ancient Memories, Disappearing Knowledge: Indigenous Stories More Than 7,000 Years Old

Prof Patrick Nunn (RGSQ Thomson Medallist)

Among Indigenous Australian societies, as in some long-enduring societies elsewhere in the world, there are stories preserved that likely recall memorable (or catastrophic) events that occurred many millennia ago. Such events include volcanic activity, meteorite impacts and – from at least 23 places all along the Australian coast – the progressive and relentless rise of the ocean surface after the end of the last great ice age. Geology now allows us to know precisely how many years ago such events occurred and – by extension – how many years these memories have been preserved. The ability of oral societies to preserve memories so long has many implications for understanding our world, present and future.

Biography
Patrick Nunn is Professor of Geography in the School of Social Sciences at the University of the Sunshine Coast and was in 2018 awarded the RGSQ Thomson Medal for contributions to the study of geography. This talk is based on Patrick’s research over several decades into ancient stories and their meanings, research that was published in 2018 in his popular book The Edge of Memory (Bloomsbury).

The lecture is organised in association with the University Sunshine Coast

Location:
University Sunshine Coast, K Block, Lecture Theatre 2