In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists have found compelling evidence that challenges the narrative of Australia’s First Peoples as mere hunters. The recent examination of a fossilized leg bone belonging to an extinct kangaroo in Mammoth Cave, Western Australia, has revealed a surprising twist in the continent’s history.
Contrary to previous assumptions of butchery marks on the bone, researchers now believe that the cut marks actually signify an ancient attempt at fossil collection by the First Peoples of Australia. This revelation casts doubt on the theory that humans were solely responsible for the extinction of Australia’s Ice Age megafauna.
The extinct short-faced kangaroo, which roamed the continent between 44,500 and 55,200 years ago, had a peculiar chunk cut out near one end of its bone. Initially thought to be evidence of hunting, this cut is now interpreted as an early endeavor to retrieve fossils from the bone-rich late-Pleistocene deposit in Mammoth Cave.
This discovery challenges long-held beliefs about the interactions between ancient humans and Australia’s unique wildlife. It opens up new avenues for understanding how the First Peoples of Australia engaged with their environment and highlights the importance of reevaluating preconceived notions in archaeology.
Source: Ars Technica