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BRISBANE - A new book has disputed the claim that Aborigines did not build houses or live in villages before the white settlement of Australia.
Associate Professor Paul Memmott from Queensland University has written a book, Gunyah, Goondie + Wurley, based on oral histories, explorers' diaries, paintings, photographic collections and century-old newspapers.
Memmott said early explorers mistakenly gave the impression Aborigines were purely nomadic and lived only in makeshift huts or lean-tos.
But there was evidence that some built more permanent shelters.
"Research shows a repertoire of different shelters were built in different styles in particular regions depending on the climate - a good example being the durable dome structures found throughout the country."
AAP
