BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 1048          Total No. of Sites: 0
Survey/Project Name: Middle-Pleistocene vertebrate fossil assemblage - Cathedral Cave
Abstract: This project aims to analyse a fossil assemblage in Fossil Chamber, Cathedral Cave (5U12, 13), Naracoorte Caves National Park, South Australia. Project involves fossil excavation, identification and interpretation (including taphonomy), and dating. Some material from previous project 'Pilot excavation of Cathedral Cave' used in this analysis. Some material excavated under this project subsequently used in project 'Mammalian responses to Pleistocene climate change -Cathedral Cave' by Gavin Prideaux (2003). REFERENCES: 1. Brown, S.P. and Wells, R.T. 2000. A Middle Pleistocene vertebrate fossil assemblage from Cathedral Cave, Naracoorte, South Australia. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 124, 91-104. 2. Brown, S.P. 1998. A geological and palaeontological examination of the Pleistocene Cathedral Cave fossil accumulation, Naracoorte, South Australia. BSc (Hons) Thesis, Flinders University of South Australia.
 
Start Date: 01/01/1998      End Date: 31/12/1998
Survey Type: Fauna only
   
Study Area Description: Fossil Chamber, Cathedral Cave (5U12 and 5U13), Naracoorte Caves National Park: Zone 54, Easting 482008, Northing 5900989.
Objectives
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation survey objectives recorded
         Fauna: Refer to Abstract.
Methodology
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation methodology recorded
         Fauna: SAMPLE COLLECTION: Excavation of two pits (1 and 2) within Fossil Chamber, Cathedral Cave. Pit B had been established in project: Pilot excavation of Cathedral Cave; and was extended and deepened in current project. Pit 1 excavated to size 2.8 x 1.5 x 0.76 m; Pit 2 to 2.6 X 2.1 X 1.04 m. Four sedimentary units were identified in the sequence (Units A, B, C and D). All units present in Pit B. Unit C absent from Pit 1 as it was not continuous across the sediment floor Note: The names of the Pits and Units were updated for publication as follows: Pit 1 = Pit A; Pit 2 = Pit B; Unit A = Unit 1; Unit B = Unit 2; Unit C = Unit 3; Unit D = Unit 4. Labelling of fossil material and trays is in form of the updated names for the Pits and Units. VERTEBRATE FOSSIL PREPARATION: Sediments dry screened and sorted on site. Unit D (Unit 4) did not yield any vertebrate fossils. Large fossil bones hardened with polyvinyl butyrate solution. Some (mostly cranial) items identified to species level. VERTEBRATE FOSSIL REGISTRATION: Most identified items registered to Flinders University collection (FU1866-2000). Many postcranial items have field numbers e.g. CC0081. Some specimens registered to the South Australian Museum by Dr Gavin Prideaux under project: Mammalian responses to Pleistocene climate change - Cathedral Cave by Gavin Prideaux. SEDIMENTARY ANALYSES: Auger samples in increments of 10 cm to a depth of 2 m were collected across the sediment fill in 5 m intervals. Taken to Flinders University for analysis of sediment colour, composition, grain size and sorting. Details in associated publication. GEOCHRONOLOGICAL ANALYSES: Single U-Th date obtained in the project. Built upon U-Th dates reported in Ayliffe et al. (1998).

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