I mean, take USA for example, is it even the same country after each amendment? After a Civil War? Civil Rights Movement? Landmark Court Rullings?
One could argue that Modern America began in 1965, with the passing of the Civil Rights Act. Or in 2001 when the Patriot Act was passed. Or in 2009 with Citizens United Court Ruling. Or in January 2017 when… you know. Or in January 2025.
When did the country really start?
Supposedly Australian aboriginal groups have lived in the same region for 40k+ years.
They have regional consistency, genetic continuity over which culture gradually evolved each generation.
Does that count?
Same with indigenous people on turtle island (north america).
I’d argue that it doesnt really count since the concept of ‘country’ though is more colonial in its origins so realistically, a ‘country’ wouldn’t exist until after colonization in these areas.
Nations might’ve existed with different groups/tribes/villages sharing a culture, but the concepts of clear-cut borders, strict land ownership, and nationalism (which to me are a requirement for the concept of a “country”) are significantly different in many indigenous cultures as compared to colonial states. Maybe with the exception of some Latin American empires? Though I don’t know enough about those empires to be confident in that.
Isnt there evidence the First Nations came from Indonesia? Or Polynesia?