Have you ever wondered what the stars can tell us? Did you know the seasons can be predicted just by looking at subtle changes in nature? Maybe you have wondered about the origins of glue or if forensic science is possible without a crime scene investigation. Australia’s First peoples have the longest continuing culture on Earth and their innovation will amaze you as you leaf through the pages of The First Scientists, learning fascinating facts and discovering the answers to life’s questions.
In consultation with communities, author Corey Tutt tells us of many deadly feats – from bush medicine to bush trackers – that are today considered ‘science’, and introduces us to many amazing scientists, both past and present. Over to Corey, to tell us more about The First Scientists!
The first astronomers
The first scientists across the land looked to the skies. They asked questions and found answers there. Whether it was finding food or predicting the weather, the stars and the sky played an important role in culture and how we understood and continue to understand the world.
Today, over 500 different nations and clans in Australia still maintain a relationship with the sky. We look to the skies as a familiar friend. There we find answers to the same questions the first scientists asked.
The first engineers
You may have been taught that the first scientists were just hunter– gatherers, but in fact they were some of the greatest minds of their time.
Across Australia there is evidence of tools and engineering feats that are as old as time. Some of them are still used today, from boomerangs and the ever-effective fish traps, while some are the basis for modern materials like bioplastics.
Tools and weapons were carefully designed and refined to work the land to the first scientists’s advantage. Today, we have many technological advances, but the voices and designs of the first engineers still remain, and are passed on from generation to generation.
The first forensic scientists
The first scientists not only cared for Country but they also had the ability to notice small changes in the landscape. It’s this attention to detail that has served First Nations peoples for over 65,000 years. In modern times this expertise has often been called on by law enforcement and governments to help find people or animals lost in the bush.
While it’s not quite the forensic science you see in spy movies, you’ll soon discover how deadly the first forensic scientists are, and how their knowledge is still used today to protect some of our amazing animals.
The first chemists
The first scientists never needed to go to the chemist. They created and produced their own incredible bush medicines by blending plants and animals to create remedies that treated illness and injuries. Some of these medicines are among the oldest in the world, and are still used today. Maybe next time you’re at the shops you can try to spot some of the first scientists’ medicine.
The first land managers
The first scientists had a deep belief that if you cared for Country, the Country would care for you. They practised land management techniques which were passed down from Elders, and adapted. Some of these techniques are still alive today, while others have been revived.
Caring for Country is not just a part of everyday life for First Nations peoples, it’s part of our identity. For example, in the Wiradjuri Nation, some clans say that the water reeds are like the kidneys that keep the river system clean. The water cares for First Nations peoples and they work together to protect and care for Country.
In 2020, during the devastating bushfire season, important conversations were had about the first scientists and the way they managed the land. The importance of culture started to flower again.
The first ecologists
For First Nations people, the Dreamtime relates to the animals that have inhabited Australia for thousands of years. These animals relied on the first scientists to care for them and ensure their home was safe.
The first scientists had rules around hunting and fishing. They were very simple. You only took what you needed, and you released what you didn’t need. This prevented the animals from dying out so that there was still food for future generations. Today more than ever, these rules are needed as the oceans are running out of fish and species are becoming extinct.
A new generation of Deadly Scientists
Deadly young scientists are doing cool things in classrooms around Australia. In the Robinson River community, there is a small but very cool group of deadly young Garawa scientists doing all things STEM. From building water rockets to doing some deadly chemistry, they have been creating awesome videos that show their experiences of learning and discovery.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and do some deadly science. Be inspired, be wowed, be amazed, but most importantly be deadly!
Watch our chat with Corey Tutt on Booktopia TV!
—The First Scientists by Corey Tutt (Hardie Grant) is out now. Limited signed copies are available while stocks last!
The First Scientists
Limited Signed Copies Available!
Have you ever wondered what the stars can tell us? Did you know the seasons can be predicted just by looking at subtle changes in nature? Maybe you have wondered about the origins of glue or if forensic science is possible without a crime scene investigation.
Australia's First peoples have the longest continuing culture on Earth and their innovation will amaze you...
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