Victorian landscapes in 1788

摘要

Using Victorian examples, this short note argues that Aboriginal fire was much more precise and purposeful than has been assumed. When Europeans arrived ('1788'), fire was spaced and timed judiciously to make both plants and animals abundant, convenient and predictable. This is visually demonstrated at Mt Eccles, and by comparing 1788 landscapes at Westernport and Lake Condah with those visitors see today. Most people now accept that in 1788 Aboriginal people burned land in patches to hunt and lure game. Mere random burning does not achieve this. Burning must be precise and predictable, otherwise it simply moves game haphazardly around the country. People needed both to burn and not to burn, and to space each appropriately. In fact they did much more, shaping and associating plant communities to create the various conditions of feed and shelter each animal preferred. This made the animals abundant, and carefully locating their habitats made them convenient and their movements and habits predictable. I offer examples from Victoria to support the precise use of fire in 1788.