Riversleigh and Cuddie Springs: Unravelling Key Factors in the Extinction of the Late Pleistocene Megafauna. The project will construct a clear picture of faunal change during the Late Pleistocene, a period of well documented extinctions of giant animals (megafauna). Archaeological excavation at Riversleigh, in north-west Queensland and palaeontological excavation at Cuddie Springs, in northern N.S.W. will complete a picture of the animals, people and environment of the prehistoric period at ea ....Riversleigh and Cuddie Springs: Unravelling Key Factors in the Extinction of the Late Pleistocene Megafauna. The project will construct a clear picture of faunal change during the Late Pleistocene, a period of well documented extinctions of giant animals (megafauna). Archaeological excavation at Riversleigh, in north-west Queensland and palaeontological excavation at Cuddie Springs, in northern N.S.W. will complete a picture of the animals, people and environment of the prehistoric period at each site. With this information, the roles of climate and people in the extinction process can be assessed. This study will complement the current research direction and public education programs of the Australian Museum and the EPA's management plans for the World Heritage Riversleigh site.Read moreRead less
A tale of two species: constructing chronologies for patterns of change in the behaviour of Neanderthals and early modern humans. This project will address one of humanity's most fundamental philosophical and empirical questions: when did we become human? The resulting insights will put Australia centre stage in this scholarly debate and contribute to a greater appreciation of the time-depth and significance of Aboriginal cultural heritage. Modern dating methods underpin many archaeological and ....A tale of two species: constructing chronologies for patterns of change in the behaviour of Neanderthals and early modern humans. This project will address one of humanity's most fundamental philosophical and empirical questions: when did we become human? The resulting insights will put Australia centre stage in this scholarly debate and contribute to a greater appreciation of the time-depth and significance of Aboriginal cultural heritage. Modern dating methods underpin many archaeological and environmental projects, so the advances made in this project will benefit researchers worldwide, increase Australia's capacity for commercial services and enhance the nation's international standing in geochronology. We will also train a new generation of high-quality research students in an interdisciplinary environment and forge new international collaborative initiatives.Read moreRead less
The Taphonomy of Waterhole Faunal Death Assemblages: A model for Archaeological Contexts in the Australian Semi-Arid Zone. The fossil record provides key insights into factors governing the long term survival and distribution of animal populations. As people and climate change have been implicated in the reconfiguration of species' habitats through time, the fossil record has direct relevance to current issues of modern faunal extinctions and biodiversity. Robust interpretative frameworks develo ....The Taphonomy of Waterhole Faunal Death Assemblages: A model for Archaeological Contexts in the Australian Semi-Arid Zone. The fossil record provides key insights into factors governing the long term survival and distribution of animal populations. As people and climate change have been implicated in the reconfiguration of species' habitats through time, the fossil record has direct relevance to current issues of modern faunal extinctions and biodiversity. Robust interpretative frameworks developed in this study will provide an essential foundation to the investigation and understanding of past populations and environment.Read moreRead less