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Lake Mungo

What is lake mungo?

· James MacDonald

Key facts

Type Dried-up lake and archaeological site[2]
Location West-central New South Wales, Australia[2]
Park Mungo National Park[2]
Region Willandra Lakes region[2]
Discovery of Mungo Lady 1968[2]
Discovery of Mungo Man 1974[2]

Lake Mungo is a dry lake and archaeological site in west-central New South Wales, Australia, within Mungo National Park. It is part of the Willandra Lakes region and is known for major archaeological finds, including Mungo Lady and Mungo Man.

Context

Lake Mungo is a dry lake and archaeological site in west-central New South Wales, Australia, within Mungo National Park [2]. It is part of the Willandra Lakes region, which was designated a World Heritage site in 1981 [2]. The site is famous for the discoveries of Mungo Lady in 1968 and Mungo Man in 1974 [2]. These remains are described as the earliest modern human remains found in Australia [1]. Mungo Lady's bones show evidence of cremation and ceremonial burial, considered the world's oldest such evidence [2].

Documented claims

  • Lake Mungo is described as home to the earliest modern human remains found in Australia. [1]
  • Mungo Lady's bones had been burnt before burial, and this is considered the world's oldest evidence of cremation and ceremonial burial. [2]
  • The Willandra Lakes region was designated a World Heritage site in 1981. [2]

Questions and answers

Why is Lake Mungo so famous?

Lake Mungo is famous for major archaeological finds, including Mungo Lady and Mungo Man, which are described as the earliest modern human remains found in Australia [1]. The site also contains the world's oldest evidence of cremation and ceremonial burial [2].

When were Mungo Lady and Mungo Man discovered?

Mungo Lady was found in 1968, and Mungo Man was found in 1974 [2].

Is Lake Mungo a World Heritage site?

Lake Mungo is part of the Willandra Lakes region, which was designated a World Heritage site in 1981 [2].

Sources

  1. Lake Mungo | Australia, Map, History, Archaeology, & Location — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Lake Mungo's Geological and Archaeological Treasures — science.nasa.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Places