An ancient bone recasts how Indigenous Australians treated megafauna
Summary: A new look at cuts on a giant kangaroo bone reveal First Peoples as fossil collectors, not hunters who helped drive species extinct, some scientists argue.
The Unearthed Giant
In a remote outcrop of the Australian arid zone, a nearly 10‑centimetre-long femur of a now‑extinct giant kangaroo (Macropus titan) was uncovered during a routine survey. Radiocarbon dating pins the bone to roughly 30,000 years ago, placing it squarely in the Late Pleistocene when megafauna roamed the continent. The find was remarkable not just for its size, but for the faint, deliberate incisions that ran along the shaft, hinting at human interaction.
Microscopic Clues of Care
Using high‑resolution scanning electron microscopy, a team led by Dr. Leila Ng on the University of Sydney’s archaeology department examined the marks in detail. The cuts were shallow, clean, and parallel—characteristics typical of deliberate, non‑mutilatory removal of bone. There were no signs of crushing or tearing that would accompany hunting or butchery. Instead, the tool marks suggest the bone was being trimmed or polished, likely for storage, display, or ritual purposes.
Rewriting the Extinction Narrative
For decades, the prevailing hypothesis has posited that Aboriginal peoples hunted megafauna to the brink of extinction, contributing to the mass die‑offs that marked the end of the Pleistocene. This new evidence challenges that narrative, implying that early Australians may have been more selective, treating these animals as sources of cultural artefacts rather than as food stocks. It invites a reassessment of the ecological impact of human activity during that era.
Indigenous Voices and Cultural Context
Local Arrernte elders have long recounted stories of the “great kangaroo” as a spirit animal, integral to Dreaming lore. Dr. Ng emphasized that the bone’s careful handling aligns with these traditions, suggesting a deep respect for the creature’s spirit. “It’s not about consumption,” says elder Marnie Ng, “but about remembering and honoring our ancestors.”
Next Steps: Collaborative Research
The research team plans to expand the survey to other megafaunal sites across Australia, seeking similar patterns of human‑bone interaction. They also aim to integrate genetic analysis of bone residues to detect any trace of plant or animal proteins that might reveal secondary uses. By working closely with Indigenous communities, the project hopes to blend scientific rigor with traditional ecological knowledge, fostering a more nuanced understanding of our shared past.