Thy Thylacoleo Is a Thylacine. Australian Archaeology, No. 80

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Thy Thylacoleo Is a Thylacine. Australian Archaeology, No. 80 In this issue... NUMBER 80 | JUNE 2015 • ‘Small, individually nondescript and • Mapping a millstone: The dynamics easily overlooked’: Contact beads of use-wear and residues on a Central from northwest Arnhem Land in an Australian seed-grinding implement | Indigenous-Macassan-European Mike Smith, Elspeth Hayes and hybrid economy | Daryl Wesley Birgitta Stephenson and Mirani Litster • Compliance-based archaeological • The palaeo-environmental history heritage management and place-based of Big Willum Swamp, Weipa: An participatory mapping for negotiated environmental context for the outcomes | David R. Guilfoyle and archaeological record | Janelle Myles B. Mitchell Stevenson, Sally Brockwell, • Attributes, preservation and Cassandra Rowe, Ulrike Proske management of dendroglyphs and Justin Shiner from the Wet Tropics rainforest of • A multidisciplinary investigation northeast Australia | Alice Buhrich, of a rock coating at Ngaut Ngaut Åsa Ferrier and Gordon Grimwade (Devon Downs), South Australia | • Mid-Holocene exploitation of marine Amy Roberts, Isobelle Campbell, molluscs in the lower Mid West, Allan Pring, Graham Bell, Alan Western Australia | Carly Monks, Watchman, Rachel S. Popelka-Filcoff, Bob Sheppard and Joe Dortch Claire E. Lenehan, Christopher T. Gibson, Natalie Franklin and the • The archaeology of Bindjarran Mannum Aboriginal Community rockshelter in Manilikarr Country, Association Inc. (MACAI) Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory | Denis Shine, Melissa • Thy Thylacoleo is a thylacine | Marshall, Duncan Wright, Tim David M. Welch Denham, Peter Hiscock, Geraldine NUMBER 80 • A fine-grained analysis of the Jacobsen and Sean-Paul Stephens macropod motif in the rock art of the • The Brremangurey pearl: A 2000 Sydney region, Australia | Alandra K. year old archaeological find from the Tasire and Iain Davidson coastal Kimberley, Western Australia | • Investigating standardisation in the Katherine Szabo, Brent Koppel, Mark | JUNE 2015 form of backed artefacts at two sites W. Moore, Iain Young, Matthew Tighe in the Hunter River valley, NSW, and Michael J. Morwood Australia | Marika A. Low Australian Archaeological Association Inc. Office Bearers for 2015 Australian Archaeology, the official publication of the Editors Position Name Address Australian Archaeological Association Inc., is a refereed Executive journal published since 1974. It accepts original articles Heather Burke Flinders University Archaeology, Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia, in all fields of archaeology and other subjects relevant to Lynley Wallis Wallis Heritage Consulting President Fiona Hook 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009 archaeological research and practice in Australia and nearby Peter Veth Archaeology, Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia, areas. Contributions are accepted in eight sections: Articles Editorial Advisory Board Vice President (5000–8000 words), Short Reports (1000–3000), Obituaries Jo McDonald 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009 Brit Asmussen Queensland Museum (500–2000), Thesis Abstracts (200–500), Book Reviews Archaeology, Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Secretary Martin Porr (500–2000), Forum (5000), Comment (1000) and Backfill Huw Barton Leicester University 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009 Noelene Cole James Cook University (which includes letters, conference details, announcements Archaeology, Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Penny Crook La Trobe University Treasurer Benjamin Smith and other material of interest to members). Australian 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009 Ines Domingo Sanz University of Barcelona Archaeology is published twice a year, in June and December. Judith Field University of New South Wales Archaeology, Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Notes to Contributors are available at: Assistant Treasurer Sven Ouzman Joe Flatman University College London 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009 <www.australianarchaeologicalassociation.com.au>. Richard Fullagar University of Wollongong Tom Whitley Archaeology, Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Australian Archaeology is indexed in the Arts and Humanities, Tracy Ireland University of Canberra Membership Secretaries Leslie Zubieta 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009 Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Social Sciences Citation Marlize Lombard University of Johannesburg Jamie Hampson Indices of the Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge, SCOPUS, Alex Mackay University of Wollongong Archaeology and Natural History, School of Culture, History and Language, College Scott L’Oste-Brown Central Queensland Cultural Public Officer Sally Brockwell Australian Public Affairs Information Service (APAIS), and of Asia and the Pacific, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200 Anthropological Literature and Anthropological Index Online. Heritage Management Archaeology, Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Jo McDonald The University of Western Australia Webmaster Sam Harper 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009 Australian Archaeology is ranked as a tier A journal Patrick Moss The University of Queensland by the European Reference Index for the Humanities Yunggorendi First Nations Centre for Higher Education and Research, Flinders Tim Murray La Trobe University Christopher Wilson and French Agence d’Evaluation de la Recherche et de Indigenous University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001 Jim O’Connell University of Utah Liaison Officers l’Enseignement Supérieur. Sven Ouzman The University of Western Australia Kellie Pollard Department of Archaeology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001 Subscriptions are available to individuals through Fiona Petchey University of Waikato Media Liaison Officer Elspeth Hayes Centre for Archaeological Science, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW 2533 membership of the Australian Archaeological Association Amy Roberts Flinders University Georgia Roberts Archaeology Program, La Trobe University, Bundoora Vic. 3086 Katherine Szabo University of Wollongong Inc. or to organisations through institutional subscription. Student Representatives Lucia Archaeology, Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nancy Tayles University of Otago Subscription application/renewal forms are available at Clayton-Martinez 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009 <www.australianarchaeologicalassociation.com.au>. Robin Torrence Australian Museum Peter Veth The University of Western Australia Australian Archaeology Editorial Committee Australian Archaeology is available through Informit Alan Watchman Flinders University Heather Burke Department of Archaeology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001 and JSTOR. Editors David Whitley ASM Affiliates Inc. Lynley Wallis Wallis Heritage Consulting, 1B Swan St, Brighton SA 5048 Design and Print: Openbook Howden Nathan Woolford Nathan Woolford Consultants Editorial Assistant Susan Arthure Department of Archaeology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001 Front Cover: Studying a Nautilus shell during midden sorting Archaeology, Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Short Report Editor Sean Winter (Annette Oertle, entered in the AAA 2014 Photography Short Report Editor 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009 Competition). Claire St George Ochre Imprints, 6/7 Mayfield Street, Abbotsford Vic. 3067 Sean Winter The University of Western Australia Book Review Editors All correspondence and submissions should be addressed to: Alice Gorman Department of Archaeology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001 Book Review Editors Thesis Abstract Editor Tiina Manne School of Social Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia Qld 4072 Australian Archaeology Jacqueline Matthews Archaeology, Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia, PO Box 10, Flinders University LPO Alice Gorman Flinders University Carly Monks 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009 Flinders University SA 5048 Claire St George Ochre Imprints Commissioned Bloggers School of Archaeology and Natural History, College of Asia and the Pacific, Email: [email protected] Michelle Langley The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200 <http://www.australianarchaeologicalassociation.com.au> Thesis Abstract Editor Jordan Ralph Department of Archaeology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001 The views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of Tiina Manne The University of Queensland State Representatives the Australian Archaeological Association Inc. or the Editors. Australian School of Archaeology and Natural History, College of Asia and the Pacific, Michelle Langley © Australian Archaeological Association Inc., 2015 Editorial Assistant Capital Territory The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200 Archaeological and Heritage Management Solutions, 349 Annandale Street, ISSN 0312-2417 Susan Arthure Flinders University New South Wales Alan Williams Annandale NSW 2038 Commissioned Bloggers Northern Territory Malcolm Connolly PO Box 843, Alice Springs NT 0871 Queensland Dee Gorring School of Social Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia Qld 4072 Jacqueline Matthews The University of South Australia Belinda Liebelt B G L Heritage Consulting, 3 Sheringa Avenue, Ingle Farm SA 5098 Western Australia Tasmania Anne McConnell GPO Box 234, Hobart Tas. 7001 Carly Monks The University of Western Australia Michelle Langley The Australian National University Victoria John Tunn Archaeological and Heritage Management
Recommended publications
  • SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a New Family of Diprotodontian Marsupials from the Latest Oligocene of Australia and the Evolution
    Title A new family of diprotodontian marsupials from the latest Oligocene of Australia and the evolution of wombats, koalas, and their relatives (Vombatiformes) Authors Beck, RMD; Louys, J; Brewer, Philippa; Archer, M; Black, KH; Tedford, RH Date Submitted 2020-10-13 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FOR A new family of diprotodontian marsupials from the latest Oligocene of Australia and the evolution of wombats, koalas, and their relatives (Vombatiformes) Robin M. D. Beck1,2*, Julien Louys3, Philippa Brewer4, Michael Archer2, Karen H. Black2, Richard H. Tedford5 (deceased) 1Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, UK 2PANGEA Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 3Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia 4Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom 5Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to R.M.D.B (email: [email protected]) This pdf includes: Supplementary figures Supplementary tables Comparative material Full description Relevance of Marada arcanum List of morphological characters Morphological matrix in NEXUS format Justification for body mass estimates References Figure S1. Rostrum of holotype and only known specimen of Mukupirna nambensis gen. et. sp. nov. (AMNH FM 102646) in ventromedial (a) and anteroventral (b) views. Abbreviations: C1a, upper canine alveolus; I1a, first upper incisor alveolus; I2a, second upper incisor alveolus; I1a, third upper incisor alveolus; P3, third upper premolar. Scale bar = 1 cm.
    [Show full text]
  • Marsupial Lions & Methodological Omnivory
    Marsupial Lions & Methodological Omnivory: Function, Success and Reconstruction in Paleobiology Penultimate Version, published in Biology & Philosophy Abstract Historical scientists frequently face incomplete data, and lack direct experimental access to their targets. This has led some philosophers and scientists to be pessimistic about the epistemic potential of the historical sciences. And yet, historical science often produces plausible, sophisticated hypotheses. I explain this capacity to generate knowledge in the face of apparent evidential scarcity by examining recent work on Thylacoleo carnifex, the ‘marsupial lion’. Here, we see two important methodological features. First, historical scientists are methodological omnivores, that is, they construct purpose-built epistemic tools tailored to generate evidence about highly specific targets. This allows them to produce multiple streams of independent evidence and thus maximize their epistemic reach. Second, investigative scaffolding: research proceeds in a piece-meal fashion, information only gaining evidential relevance once certain hypotheses are well supported. I illustrate scaffolding in a discussion of the nature of functional ascription in paleobiology. Frequently, different senses of ‘function’ are not discriminated during paleobiological investigation—something which can mar adaptationist investigations of extant organisms. However, I argue that, due to scaffolding, conflating senses of ‘function’ can be the right thing to do. Coarse grained functional hypotheses are required before it is clear what evidence could discriminate between more fine-grained ones. I draw on omnivory and scaffolding to argue that pessimists make a bad empirical bet. It is a bad idea to bet against the epistemic fortunes of such opportunistic and resourceful scientists, especially when we have reason to think we will systematically underestimate the amount of evidence ultimately available to them.
    [Show full text]
  • THYLACOLEO CARNIFEX and the NARACOORTE CAVES Michael Curry, Liz Reed1,2 and Steve Bourne3
    RESEARCH CATCHING the MARSUPIAL ‘LION’ by the TAIL: THYLACOLEO CARNIFEX and the NARACOORTE CAVES Michael Curry, Liz Reed1,2 and Steve Bourne3 1School of Physical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; 2School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia; 3Naracoorte Lucindale Council, Naracoorte, SA, Australia. “Thylacoleo exemplifies the simplest and most effective dental machinery for predatory life and carnivorous diet known in the Mammalian class. It is the extreme modification, to this end, of the Diprotodont type of Marsupialia.” Owen (1866) Introduction defending Thylacoleo as “A very gentle beast, and of good conscience” (Macleay 1859). Macleay based his Of all the extinct Australian Pleistocene megafauna argument on Thylacoleo’s relationship with other species, Thylacoleo carnifex (the marsupial ‘lion’) has Diprotodont marsupials, most of which are herbivores. captured the imagination and interest of people more Gerard Krefft, Curator of the Australian Museum, was than any other. Perhaps it is the allure of its predatory almost equally as unimpressed with Thylacoleo’s habits, (Australia’s Pleistocene answer to T. rex); or the carnivory, opining that it “…was not much more intriguing notion that it used caves as dens (Lundelius, carnivorous than the Phalangers (possums) of present 1966 ). It is certainly an enigma and, as Owen (1866) time.” (Krefft, 1866). Owen, meanwhile, had received an suggested, an extreme and meat-eating version of the almost complete skull from the Darling Downs, in otherwise herbivorous diprotodont marsupials. Queensland and published a more detailed paper, Spectacular fossil finds over the past few decades have further describing the skull and teeth of Thylacoleo, put to rest much of the speculation regarding its habits acknowledging its diprotodont affiliation but more and morphology.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Family of Diprotodontian Marsupials from the Latest Oligocene of Australia and the Evolution of Wombats, Koalas, and Their Relatives (Vombatiformes) Robin M
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN A new family of diprotodontian marsupials from the latest Oligocene of Australia and the evolution of wombats, koalas, and their relatives (Vombatiformes) Robin M. D. Beck1,2 ✉ , Julien Louys3, Philippa Brewer4, Michael Archer2, Karen H. Black2 & Richard H. Tedford5,6 We describe the partial cranium and skeleton of a new diprotodontian marsupial from the late Oligocene (~26–25 Ma) Namba Formation of South Australia. This is one of the oldest Australian marsupial fossils known from an associated skeleton and it reveals previously unsuspected morphological diversity within Vombatiformes, the clade that includes wombats (Vombatidae), koalas (Phascolarctidae) and several extinct families. Several aspects of the skull and teeth of the new taxon, which we refer to a new family, are intermediate between members of the fossil family Wynyardiidae and wombats. Its postcranial skeleton exhibits features associated with scratch-digging, but it is unlikely to have been a true burrower. Body mass estimates based on postcranial dimensions range between 143 and 171 kg, suggesting that it was ~5 times larger than living wombats. Phylogenetic analysis based on 79 craniodental and 20 postcranial characters places the new taxon as sister to vombatids, with which it forms the superfamily Vombatoidea as defned here. It suggests that the highly derived vombatids evolved from wynyardiid-like ancestors, and that scratch-digging adaptations evolved in vombatoids prior to the appearance of the ever-growing (hypselodont) molars that are a characteristic feature of all post-Miocene vombatids. Ancestral state reconstructions on our preferred phylogeny suggest that bunolophodont molars are plesiomorphic for vombatiforms, with full lophodonty (characteristic of diprotodontoids) evolving from a selenodont morphology that was retained by phascolarctids and ilariids, and wynyardiids and vombatoids retaining an intermediate selenolophodont condition.
    [Show full text]
  • Systematic and Palaeobiological Implications of Postcranial Morphology in the Diprotodontidae (Marsupialia)
    Systematic and palaeobiological implications of postcranial morphology in the Diprotodontidae (Marsupialia) Aaron B. Camens School of Earth and Environmental Sciences Discipline of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology The University of Adelaide South Australia A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Adelaide February 2010 II Declaration This work contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution to Aaron Camens and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference has been made in the text. I give consent to this copy of my thesis when deposited in the University Library, being made available for loan and photocopying, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. The author acknowledges that copyright of published works contained within this thesis (as listed below) resides with the copyright holder(s) of those works. I also give permission for the digital version of my thesis to be made available on the web, via the University’s digital research repository, the Library catalogue, the Australasian Digital Theses Program (ADTP) and also through web search engines, unless permission has been granted by the University to restrict access for a period of time. Publications in this thesis include: Camens, A. B. and Wells, R.T. 2009. Diprotodontid footprints from the Pliocene of Central Australia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 29: 863-869. Copyright held by Taylor and Francis. Camens, A. B. and Wells, R.T.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Full Article 1.5MB .Pdf File
    https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.1973.34.03 9 May 1973 FOSSIL VERTEBRATE FAUNAS FROM THE LAKE VICTORIA REGION, S.W. NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA By Larry G. Marshall Zoology Department, Monash University, Victoria* Abstract Fossil vertebrate localities and faunas in the Lake Victoria region of S.W. New South Wales, Australia, are described. The oldest fossil bearing deposit, the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene Moorna Formation and associated Chowilla Sand have yielded specimens of Neoceratodus sp., Emydura macquarrii, several species of small dasyurid, specimens of Glaucodon cf. G. ballaratensis, a species of Protemnodon which compares closely with P. cf. P. otibandus from the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene Chinchilla Sand in SE. Queensland, specimens of Lagostrophus cf L. fasciatus, species of Petrogale, Macropus, Osphranter, Sthenurus, Bettongia, Diprotodon, Lasiorhinus, a peramelid, at least two species of pseudomyine rodents and a species of Rattus cf. R. lutreolus. It is shown that the holotype of Zygomaturus victoriae (Owen) 1872 may have been collected from these sediments. The late Pliocene or early Pleistocene Blanchetown Clay has yielded species of Neoceratodus, Thylacoleo, Phas- colonus, Bettongia, Sthenurus, a diprotodontid, and a rodent. The late Pleistocene Rufus Formation has yielded species of Dasycercus, Sarcophilus, Thylacinus, Phascolonus, Lasiorhinus, Bettongia, Procoptodon, Onychogalea, Macropus, and Leporillus. A large species of macropod and a species of Phascolonus were collected from the late Pleistocene Monoman Formation. The lunette on the E. side of Lake Victoria has yielded a large, diverse fauna of late Pleistocene —Holocene age, that includes such extinct species as Protemnodon anak, P. brehus, Procoptodon goliah, Sthenurus andersoni, S.
    [Show full text]
  • Rock Art Thematic Study
    Rock Art Thematic Study Jo McDonald and Lucia Clayton 26 May 2016 Report to the Department of the Environment and the Australian Heritage Council Centre for Rock Art Research and Management, University of WA Rock Art Thematic Study Page ii Table of Contents 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 2 Rock art overview ............................................................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Introduction to rock art ............................................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Regional overview of Australian Aboriginal rock art ..................................................................................... 3 2.2.1 Australian Capital Territory (ACT) ....................................................................................................................... 7 2.2.2 New South Wales ................................................................................................................................................ 7 2.2.3 Northern Territory ............................................................................................................................................. 14 2.2.4 Queensland ......................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • A Tiny New Marsupial Lion (Marsupialia, Thylacoleonidae) from the Early Miocene of Australia
    Palaeontologia Electronica palaeo-electronica.org A tiny new marsupial lion (Marsupialia, Thylacoleonidae) from the early Miocene of Australia Anna K. Gillespie, Michael Archer, and Suzanne J. Hand ABSTRACT Microleo attenboroughi, a new genus and species of diminutive marsupial lion (Marsupialia: Thylacoleonidae), is described from early Miocene freshwater limestones in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, northwestern Queensland, Australia. A broken palate that retains incomplete cheektooth rows demonstrates that this new, very small marsupial lion possessed the elongate, trenchant P3 and predominantly subtriangular upper molars characteristic of thylacoleonids, while other features of the premolar sup- port its placement in a new genus. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Microleo atten- boroughi is the sister taxon to all other thylacoleonids, and that Thylacoleonidae may lie outside Vombatomorphia as the sister taxon of all other wombat-like marsupials including koalas. However, given limited data about the cranial morphology of M. atten- boroughi, Thylacoleonidae is concluded here, conservatively, to be part of the vom- batomorphian clade. This new thylacoleonid brings to three the number of marsupial lion species that have been recovered from early Miocene deposits at Riversleigh and indicates a level of diversity previously not seen for this group. It is likely that the differ- ent size and morphology of the three sympatric taxa reflects niche partitioning and hence reduced competition. Thylacoleonids may have been the dominant arboreal predators of Cenozoic Australia. Anna K. Gillespie*, Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives (PANGEA) Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia; [email protected], *corresponding author Michael Archer, Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives (PANGEA) Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia; [email protected] Suzanne J.
    [Show full text]
  • Diversity and Systematics of Marsupial Lions from the Riversleigh World Heritage Area and the Evolution of the Thylacoleonidae
    DIVERSITY AND SYSTEMATICS OF MARSUPIAL LIONS FROM THE RIVERSLEIGH WORLD HERITAGE AREA AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE THYLACOLEONIDAE ANNA K GILLESPIE Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales 2007 i ABSTRACT The fossil record of marsupial lions (family Thylacoleonidae) from Australian Oligo- Miocene deposits is generally poor. Study of new material of this family collected from Oligo-Miocene limestone sediments of the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, northwestern Queensland adds significant new information about previously described species and also indicates a greater diversity of thylacoleonids during this period of geological time. Two new genera and five new species are described. Reassessment of the holotype of the type species of Priscileo, P. pitikantensis, indicates it shows stronger affinities to species of the genus Wakaleo than it does to Priscileo roskellyae. Priscileo is regarded here to be a junior synonym of Wakaleo. The cranium and lower dentition of Priscileo roskellyae show significant morphological differences from species of Wakaleo, and this species is referred to a new genus, Lekaneleo. Distinctive morphological differences are identified in the M3s of Wakaleo oldfieldi and W. vanderleueri, species previously distinguished only by relative size differences in their dentitions. Functional morphological assessment of postcranial remains of species of Wakaleo suggests that they were probably scansorial or arboreal, but does not support a previous hypothesis of a fossorial habit. Cladistic analyses of the interrelationships of marsupial lions support the referral of Priscileo pitikantensis to the genus Wakaleo. The monotypic genus Microleo is the sister-group to all remaining thylacoleonid taxa.
    [Show full text]
  • Comment on Welch's 'Thy Thylacoleo Is a Thylacine'
    Australian Archaeology ISSN: 0312-2417 (Print) 2470-0363 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/raaa20 Comment on Welch’s ‘Thy Thylacoleo is a thylacine’, Australian Archaeology, 80:40–47 Darrell Lewis To cite this article: Darrell Lewis (2016) Comment on Welch’s ‘Thy Thylacoleo is a thylacine’, Australian Archaeology, 80:40–47, Australian Archaeology, 82:1, 55-59, DOI: 10.1080/03122417.2016.1169583 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03122417.2016.1169583 Published online: 09 May 2016. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 7 View related articles View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=raaa20 Download by: [Western Australian Museum], [Ms Wendy Crawford] Date: 10 August 2016, At: 23:59 AUSTRALIAN ARCHAEOLOGY, 2016 VOL. 82, NO. 1, 55–59 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03122417.2016.1169583 COMMENT Comment on Welch’s ‘Thy Thylacoleo is a thylacine’, Australian Archaeology, 80:40–47 Darrell Lewis Department of Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology, School of Humanities, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY In this paper, I review Welch’s critique (Australian Archaeology 80:40–47) of claims by Accepted 21 March 2016 Akerman, Akerman and Willing and Woodhouse that depictions of Thylacoleo exist in Kimberley rock art. I agree with his conclusion that these claims are unfounded and that the depictions probably represent thylacines. There are, however, problems with the methodology he employs to reach this conclusion, a number of factual mistakes and a failure to adequately acknowledge the work of previous researchers.
    [Show full text]
  • Extinction of Eastern Sahul Megafauna Coincides with Sustained Environmental Deterioration
    University of Wollongong Research Online Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health 1-1-2020 Extinction of eastern Sahul megafauna coincides with sustained environmental deterioration Scott A. Hocknull Richard Lewis Lee J. Arnold Tim Pietsch Renaud Joannes-Boyau See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.uow.edu.au/smhpapers1 Publication Details Citation Hocknull, S. A., Lewis, R., Arnold, L. J., Pietsch, T., Joannes-Boyau, R., Price, G. J., Moss, P., Wood, R., Dosseto, A., Louys, J., Olley, J., & Lawrence, R. A. (2020). Extinction of eastern Sahul megafauna coincides with sustained environmental deterioration. Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B. Retrieved from https://ro.uow.edu.au/smhpapers1/1332 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] Extinction of eastern Sahul megafauna coincides with sustained environmental deterioration Abstract Explanations for the Upper Pleistocene extinction of megafauna from Sahul (Australia and New Guinea) remain unresolved. Extinction hypotheses have advanced climate or human-driven scenarios, in spite of over three quarters of Sahul lacking reliable biogeographic or chronologic data. Here we present new megafauna from north-eastern Australia that suffered extinction sometime after 40,100 (±1700) years ago. Megafauna fossils preserved alongside leaves, seeds, pollen and insects, indicate a sclerophyllous forest with heathy understorey that was home to aquatic and terrestrial carnivorous reptiles and megaherbivores, including the world’s largest kangaroo. Megafauna species diversity is greater compared to southern sites of similar age, which is contrary to expectations if extinctions followed proposed migration routes for people across Sahul.
    [Show full text]
  • Facilitated Program
    Western Australian Museum Perth 4 - 7 Middle Childhood Fossil Forensics: Magnificent Megafauna Facilitated Program Overview : Investigate the events of a real Museum expedition to an underground cave on the Nullarbor Plain to recover skeletal remains of a unique marsupial predator. Meet the Museum’s marvellous megafauna and unravel the mystery behind their extinction. Duration : One hour facilitated experience with a Museum Education Officer. Please allow approximately 45 minutes additional time for self-guided gallery exploration using Student Activity sheets and Adult Helper Guide. What your class will experience: Learn about the discovery of skeletal remains of an extinct Australian marsupial predator. Investigate each stage of the unique and significant Museum project to recover and study the remains. Participate in hands-on activities that reflect the examination and reconstruction of the animal’s skeleton. Explore theories of megafauna extinction. Excursion Booking and Enquiries: For enquiries and bookings please contact: Western Australian Museum – Perth Education Phone: 9427 2792 Fax: 9427 2883 Email: [email protected] Western Australian Museum Teacher Resource: Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna www.museum.wa.gov.au © 2010 Contents Teacher Resource Links 3 Curriculum Galleries At the Museum 4 Facilitated Program Self-guided Experience Related Museum Resources At School 6 Classroom Activities DVD Activities Related Classroom Resources Adult Helper Guide 9 Photocopy Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna Adult Helper Guide (for every adult) Student Activity Sheets 14 Photocopy Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna Student Activity sheets (for every student) Western Australian Museum Teacher Resource: Fossil Forensics – Magnificent Megafauna www.museum.wa.gov.au © 2010 2 Links Curriculum Life and Living Science Students understand their own biology and that of other living things and recognise the interdependence of life.
    [Show full text]