Thursday, December 13, 2007

Fossil Record Confirms Ancient Dreamtime Legend Of 'Galloping' Kangaroo



For thousands of generations, Aborigines have passed down the story of how kangaroos that once ran on four legs were 'cursed' to hop along instead.

Now scientific research confirms that the ancient Dreamtime legend of Bohra was, in fact, true :

The dreamtime story of Bohra the kangaroo says the animal once ran like a dog before it was punished for joining a corroboree and forced to hop for eternity.

Researchers at the University of New South Wales say they now believe a dog-like skeleton, found in north-west Queensland, is from an extinct kangaroo species that once galloped rather than hopped.

Indigenous expert Michael Connolly says he has no doubt Aboriginal people were around to see the species.

"The Aboriginal people were always here, as far back in time as people can [say]," he said.

Mr Connolly says his ancestors used the dreamtime story over thousands of generations to record the animal in history.

"The Aboriginals had no books, so it was always by ear and by mouth and by art. These stories were told and passed down from generation to generation, so that was our storyline, that was our Bible that was everything," he said.


You Can Read A Story Of Bohra The Kangaroo Here

More Stories From The Dreaming Can Be Watched And Heard Here