What Is Lake Mungo?
How Has Lake Mungo Changed Over Time?
Lake Mungo is a dry lake found in south-eastern part of Australia, about 760 km due west of Sydney, New South Wales and 90 km north-east of Mildura, Victoria. The Lake has made a huge development in the last 45,000 years. There had been people living at Lake Mungo. At most of the time during this period, the lakes are full. After 800 years, Lake Mungo rose and fell during the time. However, 20,000 years later, people thrived as wildlife and vegetation became plentiful, especially when the lakes were full. Soon the cold and dry period began. Then 10,500 years later, the Ice Age started wherein the glaciers reached its peak, making the lakes dry out very quickly. The Ice Age ended soon, bringing back the flora, but the lakes remained dry. 500 years later, the climate stabilised. At this time, Lake Mungo turned into a dry desert, with only dry grass, bushes and desert, vegetation. Years later, European settlement arrived and soon Lake Mungo, had turned into an archaeological discovery and became part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area.
How Have The Mungo People Used Lake Mungo ?
At Lake Mungo, evidence showed that Aboriginal people, basically ancestors of the Barkindji, Ngiyampaa and Mutthi Mutthi, dwelt along the shores of the lake. The tribes would use the lake as a way to meet and join each other as the location joins their tribes together. The lake was also used as a resourceful site for vegetation, fish and wildlife. The tribe people used it as great place for gathering wood and food and other resources. Also, the site was used for temporary homes/shelter and was a great place to sustain spiritual and cultural activities.
What Was Lake Mungo's Purpose?
Today, Lake Mungo plays a very important role in our archaeological history because of the discovery of the remains of the Mungo man, oldest human remains in Australia, the Mungo Lady and the geomagnetic phenomena. Also, Lake Mungo is found in the central part of the Mungo National Part and is one of the 17 lakes of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. It has become a tourist site wherein people loved to see the natural beauty of Lake Mungo and the artefacts that were collected in the place. The lake also served as a camping ground that could accommodate the tourists who visits the place.