Bones reveal ancient past

Cameron Boon

27Nov09

Peter Murray yesterday with one of the numerous finds from the Alcoota site. Picture: CAMERON BOON

SEVERAL more bones have been added to the ''priceless and unique'' collection of megafauna at the Araluen Arts Centre.

Local paleontologist Peter Murray said the femur of a dog-sized marsupial lion was the newest find at the Alcoota dig site 105km northeast of Alice Springs.

He said: "These fossils are more than 8 million years old.

"The Alcoota site is enormous and has thousands upon thousands of bones in it.

"There are around 8000 animals of about 30 species buried down there.

"We've primarily found browsers and flightless birds.''

Mr Murray said the dig site was formed by a "massive mud flow'' from streams in Central Australia.

He said: "These animals must have died in the river bed from drought and then sunk into the mud.

"When the next rain came it looks like it moved the mud into one place.''

Studying the significant species found at the dig site helps scientists learn more about ancient ecosystems.

Mr Murray said: "The fossils are available for people who are really interested to look at, but hopefully one day we will be able to put them up for the general public to see.''

Minister for the Arts Gerry McCarthy said the project was important in its scientific and tourism aspects for the town.

He said: "What kid hasn't played dinosaurs in their room?

"The collection of fossils is just one of the jewels in the crown for both tourism and science in Alice Springs.

"It's extraordinary, and work continues each year.''

Mr Murray said there was "another 25 years of digging'' at the site.