Annual Report 2021–2022, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
Tabled Paper 809
Tabled Papers for 14th Assembly 2020 -; Tabled Papers; ParliamentNT
2023-03-21
Made available by the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory under Standing Order 240. Where copyright subsists with a third party it remains with the original owner and permission may be required to reuse the material.
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Tabled papers
Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
Darwin
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Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/902391
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/902392
70 Dr Adam Yates, Senior Curator of Earth Sciences, presents a talk at Megafauna Central Earth Sciences MAGNTs Earth Sciences Collection aims to represent the Northern Territorys rocks, minerals, fossils, meteorites and tektites. A great strength of the collection is the vertebrate fossils from the internationally significant Alcoota Fossil Beds, unique on the Australian continent in preserving a diverse fauna of reptiles, birds and mammals from the late Miocene Epoch (11 to 5 million years ago). The 20212022 year has seen continued improvements to the public face of Megafauna Central. The alleyway space has a vibrant, well-lit display of large photographic images of the Alcoota Fossil site and the original Alcoota road sign. Inside we have improved visibility of the preparation laboratory by mounting a large TV screen that live links to a camera so visitors to Megafauna Central can see close-up what work is being carried out in the laboratory. The previous years short, animated film Tims Journey, based on artworks inspired by Alcoota and Megafauna Central and created by the Engawala Art Centre, is now becoming an illustrated childrens book called Tims Journey Back in Time, the first Arrernte childrens book. Publication is expected in November 2022. The collection continues to grow rapidly with 2,845 specimen registrations during the year. These were from the donation of Adam Yates personal collection amassed prior to him joining MAGNT and from the large backlog of unprepared specimens collected on previous expeditions to Alcoota. A digital imaging project was commenced whereby images of each registered specimen are appended to the database. Volunteer Patrick Nelson took on this project, imaging 830 specimens. Earth Sciences research continued through the year with work on a large monograph naming and describing the new species of large crocodile from Alcoota nearing completion. The Senior Curator of Earth Sciences continued to collaborate with other Australian palaeontologists on several projects relating to the evolution of crocodiles on the Australian continent.