Palaeontology and Cave Tourism: Opportunities for Engagement
Email: anne.musser@austmus.gov.au
Abstract
Fossil bones are often found in caves, where a constant cave environment and undisturbed sediments can result in exceptional preservation. Most cave fossils are of Pleistocene age (‘Ice Age’), since bones older than this usually disintegrate over time. Extinct animals first known from caves include the massive marsupial Diprotodon, the marsupial ‘lion’ Thylacoleo, and the northern Cave Bear. Some tourist caves have capitalized on their fossil faunas by promoting scientific research and showcasing the results in interpretive centres and publications. This provides visitors with new excitement, education and a deeper understanding of the caves’ history. An outstanding example is Naracoorte Caves in South Australia, a World Heritage area because of the unique nature of its fossil mammals. Cave displays of extinct animals, an interpretive centre and publications greatly enrich the visitor experience. Jenolan Caves in New South Wales -- the oldest show cave system in the world - has not been widely recognised for its extinct fauna, although Ice Age species have been found (for instance, Tasmanian Devil fossils are showcased on the Imperial Cave tour). New research into Jenolan’s fossil fauna, the initial results of which are presented here, aims to investigate Jenolan’s deeper history through identification and analysis of fossil bones within the caves. Work to date includes the identification of a probable Zygomaturus, a large marsupial herbivore nearly as large as Diprotodon; confirmation of a Tasmanian Thylacine in the Jersey Cave, and the‘discovery’ of many Jenolan fossils at the Australian Museum in Sydney. Many of these species are now either completely extinct or gone from the Jenolan area (as in the case of the Tasmanian Devil). Fresh insights into Jenolan’s past will undoubtedly bring new opportunities to add to the visitor experience in many ways, as well as help to raise the scientific profile of Jenolan Caves.