Image 1 of 1
Catalogue Number: 25/260
This painting tells the story of the megafauna that lived around the Alcoota area in Central Australia about 9 million years ago. At that time, giant animals moved across this Country. There was Baru, a huge crocodile‑like creature; Dromornis, a giant flightless bird; and large wombat‑type animals that were much bigger than the ones we see today.
The first fossils were found in the 1960s, when people noticed unusual bones coming out of the ground. Since then, scientists have returned again and again to dig carefully through the soil. Each year they uncover more bones, helping them understand what these ancient creatures looked like, how they lived, and how the environment has changed over time.
The painting shows how the land still holds these old stories. Many fossils remain buried beneath the surface, protected by the earth. They are waiting for the right moment—and the right people—to bring them back into the light. The artwork reminds us that this Country carries a deep history, stretching far beyond human memory.