BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 1043          Total No. of Sites: 0
Survey/Project Name: Late Quaternary fossil mammals from Robertson Cave
Abstract: This project aims to examine palaeoecology and taphonomy of Robertson Cave Inner Chamber fossil assemblage (5U17), Naracoorte Caves National Park, South Australia. Project involves fossil excavation and identification, taphonomic and faunal analyses, radiocarbon dating and sedimentology in comparison to Wet Cave deposits (see Project 1044: Late Quaternary fossil mammals from Wet Cave). REFERENCES: McDowell, M.C. 2001. The analysis of Late Quaternary fossil mammal faunas from Robertson Cave (5U17, 18, 19) and Wet Cave (5U10, 11) in the Naracoorte World Heritage Area, South Australia. M.Sc. Thesis, Flinders University, South Australia.
 
Start Date: 01/01/1998      End Date: 31/12/2001
Survey Type: Fauna only
   
Study Area Description: Inner Chamber, Robertson Cave (entrances 5U17, 18, 19), Naracoorte Caves National Park: Zone 54, Easting 485436, Northing 5894443.
Objectives
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation survey objectives recorded
         Fauna: Refer to Abstract.
Methodology
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation methodology recorded
         Fauna: SAMPLE COLLECTION: Fossil material was collected from three 1 m2 pits; Pit 1 (upper), pit 2 (middle) and pit 3(lower). All pits were excavated from the side of a sediment bed that had previously been dug to form a trench. Pit 1 started near sediment surface, 1m below nail datum in roof; excavated to depth of 110 cm. Pit 2 started near the bottom level of Pit 1 (5 cm overlap) and was offset to the left; 85 cm deep. Pit 3 started near the bottom level of Pit 2 (15 cm overlap) and offset to the left; 80 cm deep. Overall depth across the three pits was 255 cm. Pits 1 and 2 were divided into 4 x 0.25 m2 quadrats labelled A, B, C, and D. Thesis states that Pit 3 was also divided into quadrats. Two quadrats were excavated to the total depth of Pit 3 (80cm). Two were excavated to a depth of 40 cm due to the presence of a boulder and two were excavated from 40-80 cm depth. Note: Only fossil material from four quadrats of Pit 3 (A, B, C and D) are present in the fossil lab. All quadrats from all pits were excavated individually in spits of 5 cm depth. VERTEBRATE FOSSIL PREPARATION: All excavated material was wet screened and sorted for diagnostic elements (mammalian and reptile craniodental and reptile vertebrae, amphibian ilia and all avian elements). Small mammals identified as well as some reptiles. Some fossils were soaked in 5% acetic acid to remove calcite before hardening with polyvinyl butyrate solution. . VERTEBRATE FOSSIL REGISTRATION: Identified bulk lots of specimens were assigned field numbers composed of the cave number (5U17) followed by a unique number (e.g., 0001). No items have been formally registered. SEDIMENTARY ANALYSES: Sediment samples from each of the 23 sedimentary layers observed in the deposit were analysed to determine sorting, grain size, shape and colour. GEOCHRONOLOGICAL ANALYSES: Charcoal samples were radiocarbon dated as part of the project. Details in associated thesis.

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