Stone tools, weapons, elephants,

Stone tools, weapons, elephants, and remnants of large stone structures provide evidence that Bhutan was inhabited as early as 2000 BC, although there are no existing records from that time. Historians have theorized that the state of Lhomon (literally, "southern darkness", a reference to the indigenous Mon religion), or Monyul ("Dark Land", a reference to the Monpa, the aboriginal peoples of Bhutan) may have existed between 500 BC and AD 600. The names Lhomon Tsendenjong (Sandalwood Country), and Lhomon Khashi, or Southern Mon (country of four approaches), have been found in ancient Bhutanese and Tibetan chronicles.[10]

The earliest transcribed event in Bhutan was the passage of the Buddhist saint Padma Sambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche) in 747.[11] Bhutan's early history is unclear, because most of the records were destroyed after fire ravaged the ancient capital, Punakha, in 1827.[12] By the 10th century, Bhutan's political development was heavily influenced by its religious history. Various sub-sects of Buddhism emerged which were patronized by the various Mongol warlords. After the decline of the Mongols in the 14th century, these sub-sects vied with each other for supremacy in the political and religious landscape, eventually leading to the ascendancy of the Drukpa sub-sect by the 16th century.
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Australia to hold referendum recognising Aborigines
By Phil Mercer
BBC News, Sydney

Ms Gillard said efforts to help Aborigines could not succeed without greater respect and recognition
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Australia will hold a referendum on recognising its indigenous people in the constitution to improve conditions for its most disadvantaged community.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said there was a "once-in-50-year opportunity" to harness public and parliamentary support for greater recognition.

The 550,000 Indigenous Australians make up 2.7% of the population.

They suffer disproportionately high rates of unemployment, imprisonment, drug abuse, alcoholism and disease.

'Change needed'
Ms Gillard, of the centre-left Labor party, said that practical efforts to help Australia's Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders could not succeed without greater respect.

"The Australian constitution is the foundation document of our system of government, but it fails to recognise the special place of our first Australians," she said in a joint statement with the minister for indigenous affairs and the attorney-general.

"Constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians is an important step towards building a nation based on strong relationships and mutual respect," she added.

"Recognition will demonstrate that we are a country that is united in acknowledging the unique and special place of our first peoples."

The referendum will ask the country to give constitutional recognition to indigenous people. It is unclear when the vote will take place.

Aboriginal leaders say a positive result would have a "dramatic effect" on the community's self-esteem.

Forty-four referendums have been held in Australia since 1901. Only eight have been passed.







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