Overview
- The peer-reviewed study in Royal Society Open Science re-examined a sthenurine kangaroo tibia and found the incision was made after the bone dried and cracked, indicating a post-mortem, likely fossil-era cut.
- Researchers used microCT, microscopic surface analysis and updated radiometric dating to determine the timing of the cut and to reassess the long-cited evidence for butchery.
- Co-author Mike Archer, who supported the 1980 butchery interpretation, says improved methods show the original conclusion was wrong.
- Elemental analysis links a fossil Zygomaturus tooth ‘charm’ received in the Kimberley to Mammoth Cave, supporting long-distance collection or exchange of fossils by First Peoples.
- The authors say hunting cannot be ruled out but note Australia still lacks uncontested kill sites or widespread butchery marks, renewing calls to re-date and reanalyze other debated sites.