Australian Fossil Mammal Sites

Australian Fossil Mammal Sites
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Riversleigh and the Naracoorte caves are Australia's most renowned fossil sites. They are a superb illustration of the key stages of the isolated evolution of Australia's unique fauna.

Riversleigh is located in in North West Queensland and has fossil remains of ancient mammals, birds and reptiles of Oligocene and Miocene age. Fossils are found in limestone by lime-rich freshwater pools, and in caves, when the ecosystem was evolving from rich rainforest to semi-arid grassland community. Thirty-five fossil bat species have been identified at the site, which is the richest in the world. The skull and nearly complete dentition of a fifteen million-year-old monotreme, Obdurodon dicksoni, provide a window into the evolution of this characteristically Australian group. Fossil ancestors of the recently extinct Thylacinus cynocephalus, the marsupial "Tasmanian Tiger", have also been identified among Riversleigh's fauna.

The Naracoorte Caves are located in the south-east of South Australia. The limestone of the area was formed from coral and marine creatures 200 million years ago and again 20 million years ago when the land was below sea level. Ground water since then has dissolved and eroded some of the limestone, creating the caves. The caves are often not far below ground, and holes open up creating traps for the unwary. This is the source of the remarkable collection of fossils. Mammals and other land creatures have fallen into open caves and been unable to escape. The fossil record has been preserved in strata formed from eroded topsoil washed and blown in. In some places, the fossil-bearing silt is up to 20 metres thick.

Year Decision Comments
1994 Inscribed Reasons for inscription

Reviews

Emilia Bautista King (U.S.A.):
I visited Naracoorte in 2002. The stalagmites and stalagtites were so spectacular and delicate. I enjoyed learning about prehistoric animals such as the Short Faced Leaf Eating kangaroo!
Date posted: February 2006
masayuki.h (japan):
last Sep&Oct i've been to the two site.when in riversleigh my first impression is burren ground extend here,why on earth fossiles could be excavated here.it looks nothing to be discovered on the ground.only one tour takes us there in dry season and the tour is popular,so you got to reservation it.and in the rainy season very little rain occurs flood of the river in 100 front of the site.

naracoote site is,if not heritage resistered,not popular but no one visit there exept scholars.info center wall is decorated with world heritage mark.listing is exaggerated so much.here we can see all the time but cathedral cave is exhibited to on weekend.atention please.
 


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