BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 950          Total No. of Sites: 0
Survey/Project Name: Palaeontological investigation of Grant Hall - Project 2
Abstract: The Grant Hall fossil deposit in Victoria Fossil Cave, Naracoorte Caves, in the South East region of South Australia, represents the only known deposit covering the penultimate glacial cycle. A palaeoecological investigation of the deposit was undertaken in order to reconstruct the palaeoenvironment over the accumulation history of the site. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the project were: 1. Determine the age profile of the deposit using Optically Stimulated Luminescence and U/Th dating. 2. Determine the number and character of sedimentary units across the stratigraphic profile based on grain size, grain shape, geochemical analyses and depositional age. 3. Measure Carbon and Oxygen stable isotope ratios in fossil tooth enamel across the depth of the profile to determine if there was a change in local environmental conditions over the history of deposition. 4. Determine if there was a change in the mammal assemblage composition, species richness and species relative abundances across the deposit. 5. Examine the relationship between the fossil assemblage and environmental conditions provided from the deposit and relate this to major climatic and ecological change over the Middle to Late Pleistocene both regionally and globally. PROJECT SPECIFIC PUBLICATIONS: Macken, A.C., Jankowski, N.R., Price, G.P., Bestland, E.A., Reed, E.H., Prideaux, G.P. and Roberts, R.G. 2011. Application of sedimentary and chronological analyses to refine the depositional context of a Late Pleistocene vertebrate deposit, Naracoorte, South Australia. Quaternary Science Reviews 30, 2690-2702. Macken, A.C., Prideaux, G.J. and Reed, E.H. 2012. Variation and pattern in the responses of mammal faunas to Late Pleistocene climatic change in south-eastern South Australia. Journal of Quaternary Science 27, 415-424. Macken, A.C. 2009. Palaeoecological investigation of the Grant Hall fossil deposit, Victoria Fossil Cave, Naracoorte, South Australia. BSc (Hons) Thesis. Flinders University, South Australia, Australia. COLLECTION SUMMARY: Fossil collection associated with the project is stored in the Naracoorte Caves Fossil Laboratory. Large postcranial elements in trays organised by grid square and excavation layer. Diagnostic large specimens stored in separate trays labelled as such. Small mammal material from grid square 7 in trays, organised in sub-trays by excavation layer. Small fossil material sorted from the top 5 cm of grid square G8 stored in separate tray. Sorted sediment bags stored in the external storeroom of the Fossil Shed and sediment samples stored in the side room of the Fossil Laboratory.
 
Start Date: 01/01/2009      End Date: 30/11/2009
Survey Type: Fauna only
   
Study Area Description: Grant Hall, Victoria Fossil Cave (entrance 5U1), Naracoorte Caves National Park: Zone 54, Easting 482499, Northing 5899871.
Objectives
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation survey objectives recorded
         Fauna: Refer to Abstract.
Methodology
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation methodology recorded
         Fauna: SAMPLE COLLECTION Excavation of 1 x 1 m3 grid squares (grid square G7) from Grant Hall, Victoria Fossil Cave. Grid square was excavated in 5 cm thick spits, following the six layers in the deposit (A-F). Surface material and sediments from top 5 cm of grid square G8 were also excavated. VERTEBRATE FOSSIL PREPARATION Large fossil material was cleaned with water and hardened with polyvinyl butyrate solution. Diagnostic large fossils were taxonomically identified where known and registered. All bagged sediments from the excavated grid square were wet screened and sorted, including the small amount of material removed from grid square G8. All diagnostic small mammal material from grid square G7 was taxonomically identified and registered. Small vertebrate material from G8 and non-mammalian small fossils from G7 not identified. VERTEBRATE FOSSIL REGISTRATION The identified fossil material was registered to the Flinders University Fossil Collection (FU8000-8999, FU9063-9141). SEDIMENTARY ANALYSES c. 1-2 kg of sediment was collected from each excavation layer for sedimentary analysis. Details of analyses in associated publications. GEOCHRONOLOGICAL ANALYSES Sediment cores were collected from the walls of grid square G7 for Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating. Tooth enamel from 11 registered fossil specimens was sampled for U-Th dating. 28 calcite straws sampled for U-Th dating. Details in associated publications. OTHER 58 registered fossil teeth were used for isotopic analysis. Details in associated publications.

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