What Does A Kangaroo Look Like?

Many Australians will be tempted to answer “It looks like a kangaroo”, but the question has sparked debate among historians. Recently the Les Enluminures Galley in New York bought a book from a Portuguese dealer, which they believe shows a kangaroo (or possibly a wallaby). The book is believed to date from the late 16th or early 17th Century so if the animal is a kangaroo, would indicate that the artist had either been to Australia or had seen pictures of Australian animals in their home country. Since the manuscript is in Portuguese, this could be an indication that the Portuguese were the first Europeans to discover Australia and that they did so much earlier than has hitherto been believed. Some, however, are more cautious about the find. There have already been comments about the fact that there are many species of deer in South-East Asia some of which have been known to stand on their hind legs to reach high branches. There have also been questions raised about the date of the manuscript, some people believing that it has been dated too early. Whatever the significance for Australia’s history, the country’s vibrant present continues to attract visitors from all over the globe. These days, they can have the benefit of an experienced NAATI translator to help them with their trip.