Bluff Downs fossil site

The Bluff Downs fossil site is a paleontological site of Pliocene age in northern Queensland, Australia, and is the most significant fossil site of the Pliocene age in Australia. The fossil site lies on the banks of Allingham Creek on the pastoral property of Bluff Downs Station.^[1]

Fossil fauna

The Bluff Downs fossils are about four million years old, dating from the Pliocene period. Geologically they come from the Allingham Formation which comprises a sequence of terrigenous clays, silts, sands, calcareous sands and limestones.^[2] In the Pliocene the site was a wetland environment containing a diverse fauna, including fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. Examples are the:^[1]

• Bluff Downs giant python (Liasis sp.), which grew up to 10 m in length
• Bluff Downs giant goanna (Megalania sp.)
• Bluff Downs bandicoot (Perameles allinghamensis)

References

Notes

1. Australian Museum
2. Rich et al. (1982).

Sources

• Rich, T.H.; Archer, M.; Plane, M.; Flannery, T.F.; Pledge, N.S.; Hand, S.; & Rich, P.V. (1982). Australian Tertiary mammal localities. In: "The Fossil Vertebrate Record of Australasia", (ed P.V. Rich & E.M. Thompson). Melbourne: Monash University. pp. 525–572. ISBN 0-86746-153-5.
• "Bluff Downs". Fossil sites of Australia. Australian Museum. 2009-08-11. Retrieved 2011-03-06.

Coordinates: 19°41′S 145°33′E / 19.683°S 145.550°E