The common view of Aboriginal people falls under stereotypes of either terra nullus pre-civilisation hunter gathers or the romantic noble savage at one with nature. We know from first-hand accounts that the Eora had a legal system which included the morality of personal property. We also know that Aboriginal land management techniques changed the Australian landscape to the point that species have become dependent on fire for reproduction.
Prior to smallpox making its appearance on the Australian continent the coastal regions were the most heavily populated areas. And for good reason, even today, the ocean is an extremely important system of production and food.
