Image 1 of 1
Catalogue Number: 25/219
This painting shows the giant megafauna that lived around Alcoota about 8 million years ago, not far from my community. Long before people were here, huge animals walked across this Country. There was Dromornis, an emu type bird that was much bigger than any bird alive today. There was Baru, a giant crocodile. There were also huge wombat like creatures that roamed the land.
Over time, these animals died and their bones were covered in sand and soil. They stayed hidden beneath the ground for millions of years. The land kept them safe, holding their stories quietly under the surface.
Scientists now come to Alcoota to dig carefully in the earth. They find the old bones, piece by piece. When they put the bones together, they can see what these ancient creatures looked like and learn how they lived.
This painting reminds us that the Country is full of old stories. Many more bones are still buried, waiting to be found when the time is right.