Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh/Naracoorte) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh/Naracoorte) * |
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Riversleigh
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| Country | Australia |
| Type | Natural |
| Criteria | viii, ix |
| Reference | 698 |
| Region ** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1994 (18th Session) |
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The Australian Fossil Mammal Sites are very special places in Queensland and South Australia. They are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This means they are important for everyone in the world to protect.
These sites are famous for their amazing fossils. These fossils tell us about ancient mammals that lived in Australia. They show how these animals changed over millions of years. There are two main parts to these sites: Riversleigh in Queensland and Naracoorte in South Australia.
Contents
Discovering Australia's Ancient Mammals
The Australian Fossil Mammal Sites are like giant history books made of rock. They hold clues about animals that lived a very long time ago. Scientists study these clues to understand how life on Earth has changed.
Riversleigh: A Fossil Treasure Chest
The Riversleigh site is in the north-west part of Queensland. It is part of the Lawn Hill National Park. This area is incredibly rich in fossils.
Riversleigh has fossils that are up to 20 million years old. These fossils show us how Australian mammals, especially marsupials, have changed over time. It's like watching a slow-motion movie of evolution.
Naracoorte: Caves of Climate Clues
The Naracoorte site is in the south-east part of South Australia. It is part of the Naracoorte Caves National Park. Here, fossils are found inside ancient caves.
The fossils at Naracoorte are more recent, going back about 170,000 years. They show how marsupials and other animals dealt with big climate changes. These changes included ice ages and warmer periods. The caves acted like natural traps, preserving many animals that fell in.
What Fossils Teach Us
The fossils from both Riversleigh and Naracoorte are very important. They help scientists understand:
- How different types of Australian mammals evolved.
- How animals adapted to changes in their environment.
- What ancient Australian ecosystems were like.
- The history of climate change on Earth.
These sites give us a unique look into Australia's past. They show us how life has adapted and survived through millions of years of change.
See Also
