There could have lived even half a million people. This land has disappeared under the waters of the ocean.

Recent research by Griffith University scientists has revealed evidence of a submerged landmass off Australia's northwest coast, known as the Northwest Shelf, which was once home to up to 500,000 people. This area, now underwater, featured an inland sea and a large freshwater lake, providing resources for ancient communities. The landscape changed dramatically due to rising sea levels at the end of the last Ice Age, forcing inhabitants to migrate. Advanced mapping technologies have allowed for detailed analysis of this lost land, shedding light on its historical significance and the lives of its former residents.