Scientists from the Sydney Observatory have created a map of the Sahul continent, which used to connect Australia with the islands of Tasmania and Papua New Guinea in ancient times. According to the journal Nature Communications (NatComms), the study describes the existence of the Sahul subterranean land mass, which was revealed about 70,000 years ago during the Pleistocene era. At that time, it was located near the end of the last glacial period. The submerged field raised the sea level by uncovering parts of the land bridge that connected the current islands of Papua New Guinea and the Torres Strait Islands with mainland Australia.

The research helped accurately calculate the time periods, allowing scientists to explore the migration routes of early humans. Anthropologists discovered ancient evidence and traces of available food resources in the land bridge, which was likely inhabited by up to half a million people. Researchers also suspected the existence of indigenous knowledge about underwater locations that may have supported abundant biodiversity in those areas.