Australian tektites (Australites) have been known and used as artefacts and ritual objects by Aboriginal Australians for over 30,000 years. The earliest record of scientific study of Australian tektites is a Darling Downs, Queensland specimen given to Charles Darwin in 1836, when he visited Sydney on board the Beagle. Emus have been known to swallow Australites for gizzard stones which help grind up their food.
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