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Human remains have been found on the island of New Guinea, dated around 60,000 years old. These ancient inhabitants probably originated from South East Asia, establishing a simple civilisation based on agriculture.
Little was known by outsiders about the island until the 19th century, although European explorers discovered the island in the 16th century.
The country was named in the 19th century: the word Papua is derived from a Malay word describing the frizzy Melanesian hair, and New Guinea was the name given by a Spanish explorer because of the population's resemblance to that of Guinea in Africa.
The northern half of the country came into German hands in the late 19th century as German New Guinea. In World War I, it was occupied by the Australians who also administered the southern part as Papua (formerly British New Guinea). The two territories were combined into the Territory of Papua and New Guinea, later simply Papua New Guinea.
Independence was achieved from Australia in 1975.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papua_New_Guinea
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