The word "sahul" is spelled in accordance with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ˈsɑːhʊl/. The IPA is a system used to represent the sounds of speech in written form. The phonetic transcription of "sahul" reveals that the first syllable is pronounced with an open "a" sound, followed by a short "h" sound and a "u" sound. Overall, the spelling and pronunciation of "sahul" demonstrate the relevance and usefulness of IPA in accurately representing spoken language.
Sahul is a geological term that refers to a landmass or continent that was once a continuous land bridge connecting two separate regions or continents. The word "sahul" is derived from the Sahul Shelf, an ancient land bridge that connected present-day Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Tasmania during times of lower sea levels, particularly the last glacial period.
The Sahul landmass existed approximately 10,000 to 6,000 years ago, when the sea levels were much lower due to the accumulation of water in ice sheets during the last ice age. This landmass allowed the migration of flora, fauna, and human populations between Australia and Papua New Guinea, contributing to the exchange of species and cultural influences.
The Sahul land bridge, also known as the Sahul Platform, is now submerged under the Arafura Sea and the Torres Strait. However, it remains important in the study of human migration, as it played a crucial role in the colonization of Australia by ancient populations.
In a broader sense, the term "sahul" can also be used metaphorically to describe any land bridge or connection between two separate areas, whether physical or metaphorical, that facilitates movement, exchange, or interaction between them.
The word "Sahul" comes from the indigenous Australian languages, specifically from the Nyungar language spoken by the Aboriginal people of the southwestern region of Western Australia. In Nyungar, "sahul" refers to the landmass that includes Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Tasmania, which was a single connected landmass during the last Ice Age. It is believed that the term was first used by Australian geologists in the 1990s to describe this ancient land area.