Latest news with #Flinders
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Science
- Otago Daily Times
Study casts magpies in new light
A bird now seen as an unwelcome Australian import may have much deeper roots in New Zealand than previously thought. Magpies, often regarded in Central Otago and elsewhere as aggressive invaders introduced from Australia in the 1860s, have long divided public opinion. But new research reveals their ancestors once lived in New Zealand — millions of years before European settlers arrived. Researchers from Canterbury Museum, the University of Canterbury, and Australian institutions, including Flinders and New South Wales universities, have spent more than 20 years studying fossils from the St Bathans area of Central Otago. Their work has now uncovered enough evidence to describe a new species of currawong — an ancient relative of the modern magpie. The newly identified species, named the St Bathans currawong, lived between 19 and 16 million years ago, during the Miocene era, in what was then a lush, forested landscape surrounding a large prehistoric lake. The bird, likely similar in size to today's Australian magpie but probably all black, appears to have gone extinct before the end of the Miocene period. Dr Paul Scofield, senior curator of natural history at Canterbury Museum and a co-author of the study, said the findings challenged the widespread belief magpies were foreign intruders with no historical place in New Zealand's environment. "We persecute the magpie as an Australian that has no place in the New Zealand ecosystem, but its close relatives lived here in the past," he said. "We've probably been without a member of the magpie's extended family for only five million years." Co-author Associate Prof Trevor Worthy of Flinders University said New Zealand's ecosystems had been constantly evolving for millions of years, waves of extinctions and new arrivals shaping biodiversity long before human settlement. "There's an idea that we should return New Zealand to a pre-European ecological state," he said. "But that ignores the fact that Aotearoa's ecosystems were already dramatically different by the time humans arrived." The fossil record shows species such as currawong and native pigeons disappeared as the country's floral diversity declined. Other groups of animals and plants have arrived during the past few thousand years, both naturally and through human influence. Dr Scofield said during the Miocene period, New Zealand forests would have looked more like Australian bushland, eucalypts, laurels and she-oaks ( Casuarina ) being common. A major climate cooling event around 13 million years ago led to the extinction of many warm-climate species, reshaping the ecosystem into the one seen today. Fossil evidence from St Bathans suggests a greater diversity of songbirds once filled the bush with birdsong. Together the findings suggest New Zealand's natural history is far more complex and dynamic than the idea of a static, untouched ecosystem. So instead of striving to recreate a specific past state, these scientists are saying we should embrace and protect the biodiversity we have. — APL
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Science
- Otago Daily Times
Magpie roots found in St Bathans
Magpies may be regarded in Central Otago as annoying Australian imports or unwelcome newcomers from Canterbury but decades of research has revealed their ancestors lived in St Bathans 19 million years ago. Magpies were introduced from Australia in the 1860s and since then New Zealanders have developed a love-hate relationship with the sometimes aggressive bird. Researchers from Canterbury Museum and University of Canterbury along with those from Flinders and New South Wales Universities in Australia have spent more than two decades unearthing and analysing fossils discovered near St Bathans . The St Bathans fossil site, which has been studied since 2001, was once at the bottom of a large prehistoric lake. It offered the only significant insight into New Zealand's terrestrial wildlife from 16 to 19 million years ago. Researchers have now found enough fragments to describe a new species of currawong, which was an ancestor of the bird that menaces New Zealand today. The newly discovered bird, which the researchers have named the St Bathans Currawong, lived in New Zealand around 19 million to 16 million years ago. It probably went extinct near the end of the Miocene, an era that ran from 20 million years ago to 5 million years ago. The ancient bird would have been about the same size as the Australian magpie found in New Zealand today but was probably all black. Co-author and Canterbury Museum senior curator natural history Dr Paul Scofield said the research challenged New Zealand views on the much-maligned magpie. "We persecute the magpie as an Australian that has no place in the New Zealand ecosystem but its close relatives lived here in the past." "We've probably been without a member of the magpie's extended family for only 5 million years.' Co-author and Flinders University Associate Prof Trevor Worthy said New Zealand's ecosystem had changed dramatically over millions of years and harboured diverse species across different eras. "There's an idea that we should aim to return New Zealand to a pre-European ecological state. But at that point in time, New Zealand's ecosystems had been changing continuously for millions of years. Aotearoa had lost much of the floral diversity formerly present by the time humans arrived. There were few fruiting tree species left and the loss of currawongs and other pigeons reflects this. "Other groups of plants and animals arrived from 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. Many more have arrived since humans occupied the land. The pre-European ecological state of New Zealand is not necessarily any better or worse than any other time in the past. Instead, the fossil record suggests there was no utopian state and that we should celebrate the diversity we currently have.' Dr Scofield said the work revealed New Zealand's bird population in the Miocene era had surprisingly strong similarities to that of Australia today. "During the Miocene, 20 to 5 million years ago, New Zealand was much different. Walking through a New Zealand forest from that era, you would have seen numerous eucalypts, laurels and Casuarina, much like you would in an Australian forest today.' "The major thing that shaped the New Zealand we see today was the extinction of many plants and animals that thrived in warm climates after a period of rapid cooling that began about 13 million years ago.' Separate research led by Dr Vanesa De Pietri, of University of Canterbury, found the early Miocene New Zealand bush was alive with more birdsong than today. Analysis of songbird fossils found at St Bathans indicates there were probably many more different species of songbirds living in New Zealand 20 million years ago than just before humans arrived. — APL
The Age
22-06-2025
- General
- The Age
Archaeologists to talk rock art harm at world congress
Industrial threats to Aboriginal rock art and other ancient sites will be in focus when the World Archaeological Congress meets in Australia for the first time. Hosted by Flinders and Charles Darwin Universities, the week-long conference will welcome thousands of delegates from more than 70 countries to Darwin from Sunday. One of the stated aims of the congress is to advance global policy, 'especially as it relates to the protection of heritage'. The event comes just weeks after the federal government gave Woodside's North West Shelf project – which hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant – the green light to keep operating until 2070. The project on Western Australia's Burrup Peninsula is home to renowned ancient rock art at Murujuga, and the energy giant still has to accept conditions on heritage and air quality before the approval becomes official. Loading Scientists are concerned emissions from the nearby gas plant are eroding rock surfaces and harming the famed petroglyphs at the site. In May 2020, Rio Tinto's destruction of the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge rock shelters in the Pilbara left traditional custodians devastated and caused global outrage, prompting the mining giant to apologise. Meanwhile, cultural heritage laws in WA and the Northern Territory have come under fire for not adequately protecting sacred and ancient sites.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-06-2025
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
Archaeologists to talk rock art harm at world congress
Industrial threats to Aboriginal rock art and other ancient sites will be in focus when the World Archaeological Congress meets in Australia for the first time. Hosted by Flinders and Charles Darwin Universities, the week-long conference will welcome thousands of delegates from more than 70 countries to Darwin from Sunday. One of the stated aims of the congress is to advance global policy, 'especially as it relates to the protection of heritage'. The event comes just weeks after the federal government gave Woodside's North West Shelf project – which hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant – the green light to keep operating until 2070. The project on Western Australia's Burrup Peninsula is home to renowned ancient rock art at Murujuga, and the energy giant still has to accept conditions on heritage and air quality before the approval becomes official. Loading Scientists are concerned emissions from the nearby gas plant are eroding rock surfaces and harming the famed petroglyphs at the site. In May 2020, Rio Tinto's destruction of the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge rock shelters in the Pilbara left traditional custodians devastated and caused global outrage, prompting the mining giant to apologise. Meanwhile, cultural heritage laws in WA and the Northern Territory have come under fire for not adequately protecting sacred and ancient sites.
The Advertiser
21-06-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
Archaeologists to talk rock art harm at world congress
Industrial threats to Aboriginal rock art and other ancient sites will be in focus when the World Archaeological Congress meets in Australia for the first time. Hosted by Flinders and Charles Darwin Universities, the week-long conference will welcome thousands of delegates from more than 70 countries to Darwin from Sunday. One of the stated aims of the congress is to advance global policy, "especially as it relates to the protection of heritage". The event comes just weeks after the federal government gave Woodside's North West Shelf project - which hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant - the green light to keep operating until 2070. The project on Western Australia's Burrup Peninsula is home to renowned ancient rock art at Murujuga, and the energy giant still has to accept conditions on heritage and air quality before the approval becomes official. Scientists are concerned emissions from the nearby gas plant are eroding rock surfaces and harming the famed petroglyphs at the site. In May 2020, Rio Tinto's destruction of the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge rock shelters in the Pilbara left traditional custodians devastated and caused global outrage, prompting the mining giant to apologise. Meanwhile, cultural heritage laws in WA and the Northern Territory have come under fire for not adequately protecting sacred and ancient sites. Eileen Cummings, a Charles Darwin University fellow and co-chair of the conference's Indigenous Elders Committee, said the protection of Aboriginal rock art and ancient sites would be discussed at the congress. "For a long time, we were worried about our sacred sites but now our people are starting to look at the sites that are archaeological, so they can get trained in that area to look after those areas," she told AAP. She hoped more young Indigenous people would train as archaeologists to better understand and protect Country. Aboriginal rangers would also benefit from learning about ancient sites so they could better protect them, Ms Cummings said. The congress brings together archaeologists, heritage professionals, anthropologists, historians, and Indigenous leaders and community members from across the globe. Flinders University archaeologist Claire Smith said the event offered a remarkable opportunity for leading thinkers to "explore and reflect on our shared past". Industrial threats to Aboriginal rock art and other ancient sites will be in focus when the World Archaeological Congress meets in Australia for the first time. Hosted by Flinders and Charles Darwin Universities, the week-long conference will welcome thousands of delegates from more than 70 countries to Darwin from Sunday. One of the stated aims of the congress is to advance global policy, "especially as it relates to the protection of heritage". The event comes just weeks after the federal government gave Woodside's North West Shelf project - which hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant - the green light to keep operating until 2070. The project on Western Australia's Burrup Peninsula is home to renowned ancient rock art at Murujuga, and the energy giant still has to accept conditions on heritage and air quality before the approval becomes official. Scientists are concerned emissions from the nearby gas plant are eroding rock surfaces and harming the famed petroglyphs at the site. In May 2020, Rio Tinto's destruction of the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge rock shelters in the Pilbara left traditional custodians devastated and caused global outrage, prompting the mining giant to apologise. Meanwhile, cultural heritage laws in WA and the Northern Territory have come under fire for not adequately protecting sacred and ancient sites. Eileen Cummings, a Charles Darwin University fellow and co-chair of the conference's Indigenous Elders Committee, said the protection of Aboriginal rock art and ancient sites would be discussed at the congress. "For a long time, we were worried about our sacred sites but now our people are starting to look at the sites that are archaeological, so they can get trained in that area to look after those areas," she told AAP. She hoped more young Indigenous people would train as archaeologists to better understand and protect Country. Aboriginal rangers would also benefit from learning about ancient sites so they could better protect them, Ms Cummings said. The congress brings together archaeologists, heritage professionals, anthropologists, historians, and Indigenous leaders and community members from across the globe. Flinders University archaeologist Claire Smith said the event offered a remarkable opportunity for leading thinkers to "explore and reflect on our shared past". Industrial threats to Aboriginal rock art and other ancient sites will be in focus when the World Archaeological Congress meets in Australia for the first time. Hosted by Flinders and Charles Darwin Universities, the week-long conference will welcome thousands of delegates from more than 70 countries to Darwin from Sunday. One of the stated aims of the congress is to advance global policy, "especially as it relates to the protection of heritage". The event comes just weeks after the federal government gave Woodside's North West Shelf project - which hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant - the green light to keep operating until 2070. The project on Western Australia's Burrup Peninsula is home to renowned ancient rock art at Murujuga, and the energy giant still has to accept conditions on heritage and air quality before the approval becomes official. Scientists are concerned emissions from the nearby gas plant are eroding rock surfaces and harming the famed petroglyphs at the site. In May 2020, Rio Tinto's destruction of the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge rock shelters in the Pilbara left traditional custodians devastated and caused global outrage, prompting the mining giant to apologise. Meanwhile, cultural heritage laws in WA and the Northern Territory have come under fire for not adequately protecting sacred and ancient sites. Eileen Cummings, a Charles Darwin University fellow and co-chair of the conference's Indigenous Elders Committee, said the protection of Aboriginal rock art and ancient sites would be discussed at the congress. "For a long time, we were worried about our sacred sites but now our people are starting to look at the sites that are archaeological, so they can get trained in that area to look after those areas," she told AAP. She hoped more young Indigenous people would train as archaeologists to better understand and protect Country. Aboriginal rangers would also benefit from learning about ancient sites so they could better protect them, Ms Cummings said. The congress brings together archaeologists, heritage professionals, anthropologists, historians, and Indigenous leaders and community members from across the globe. Flinders University archaeologist Claire Smith said the event offered a remarkable opportunity for leading thinkers to "explore and reflect on our shared past". Industrial threats to Aboriginal rock art and other ancient sites will be in focus when the World Archaeological Congress meets in Australia for the first time. Hosted by Flinders and Charles Darwin Universities, the week-long conference will welcome thousands of delegates from more than 70 countries to Darwin from Sunday. One of the stated aims of the congress is to advance global policy, "especially as it relates to the protection of heritage". The event comes just weeks after the federal government gave Woodside's North West Shelf project - which hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant - the green light to keep operating until 2070. The project on Western Australia's Burrup Peninsula is home to renowned ancient rock art at Murujuga, and the energy giant still has to accept conditions on heritage and air quality before the approval becomes official. Scientists are concerned emissions from the nearby gas plant are eroding rock surfaces and harming the famed petroglyphs at the site. In May 2020, Rio Tinto's destruction of the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge rock shelters in the Pilbara left traditional custodians devastated and caused global outrage, prompting the mining giant to apologise. Meanwhile, cultural heritage laws in WA and the Northern Territory have come under fire for not adequately protecting sacred and ancient sites. Eileen Cummings, a Charles Darwin University fellow and co-chair of the conference's Indigenous Elders Committee, said the protection of Aboriginal rock art and ancient sites would be discussed at the congress. "For a long time, we were worried about our sacred sites but now our people are starting to look at the sites that are archaeological, so they can get trained in that area to look after those areas," she told AAP. She hoped more young Indigenous people would train as archaeologists to better understand and protect Country. Aboriginal rangers would also benefit from learning about ancient sites so they could better protect them, Ms Cummings said. The congress brings together archaeologists, heritage professionals, anthropologists, historians, and Indigenous leaders and community members from across the globe. Flinders University archaeologist Claire Smith said the event offered a remarkable opportunity for leading thinkers to "explore and reflect on our shared past".
