BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 1045          Total No. of Sites: 0
Survey/Project Name: Lessons of past climate change - Bat Cave
Abstract: This project aims to examine past climate change through an analysis of cave fossils preserved within deposits in Bat Cave (5U2), Naracoorte Caves National Park, South Australia. Project involved fossil excavations, geochronological and sedimentary analyses, and plant and vertebrate fossil analyses. Links to Projects 1046 and 1047: Lessons of Past Climate Change - Blanche Cave and Lessons of Past Climate Change - Robertson Cave.
 
Start Date: 22/05/2012      End Date: 31/12/2016
Survey Type: Fauna only
   
Study Area Description: Entrance Chamber, Bat Cave (5U2), Naracoorte Caves National Park: Zone 54, Easting 481772, Northing 5901373.
Objectives
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation survey objectives recorded
         Fauna: Refer to Abstract.
Methodology
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation methodology recorded
         Fauna: SAMPLE COLLECTION Excavation of two 1m3 pits (Pit 1 and 2) within the entrance chamber to Bat Cave. Both pits were excavated according to visible sedimentary layers. Where layers exceeded 5 cm in depth, excavation proceeded in 5 cm increments within the layer. 19 layers were excavated from Pit 1 and 13 layers from Pit 2. VERTEBRATE FOSSIL PREPARATION Excavated sediment has been wet screened. Sorting and identification is ongoing. Individual large fossil specimens are currently being identified. VERTEBRATE FOSSIL REGISTRATION Diagnostic material is in the process of being registered to the South Australian Museum. Non-diagnostic material that is unsuitable for SAM registration will be stored in labelled bags according to Pit and Layer. SEDIMENTARY ANALYSES 1 kg of sediment was reserved from each layer for sedimentary, geochronological and fossil pollen analysis during the original excavation. 100-200g sediment samples were collected from the exposed face of each pit under permit Y26448. GEOCHRONOLOGICAL ANALYSES 1 kg of sediment was reserved from each layer for sedimentary, geochronological and fossil pollen analysis. Nine 40 mm wide x 150 mm deep sediment samples for Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating were collected from across the exposed faces of Pits 1 and 2 under permit Y26448. Up to 1000mg of bone from 10 to 20 large mammal fossils used for radiocarbon dating. U/Th dating of dentine from five fossils. OTHER 1 kg of sediment was reserved from each layer for sedimentary, geochronological and fossil pollen analysis.

Data Distribution Rules: Public Dataset
Project Basis: Fauna : Fossil excavation
Fauna : Climate and climate change related investigations
Information Authority: Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:South East)
Flinders University of SA