Ediacara Hills, Nature reserve and mountain range in South Australia.
Description
Ediacara Hills is a nature reserve and mountain system in the northern Flinders Ranges containing numerous fossil sites with preserved specimens of early multicellular organisms. The terrain consists of quartzite layers that have retained imprints of these ancient life forms.
History
A mining geologist discovered fossil imprints in quartzite layers in 1946, leading to major paleontological discoveries. These finds revealed an entire world of ancient life that existed long before better-known animal fossils.
Culture
The name comes from Aboriginal languages and refers to zebra finches that local Adnyamathanha people have long associated with this area.
Practical
The fossil sites are protected and managed by the South Australian Museum for research purposes, with visitors needing special permits to enter. It is best to check access rules beforehand and go with experienced guides to properly understand the delicate dig sites.
Did you know?
The area contains over 1500 preserved specimens of more than 60 species from a time before the well-known animal explosion of the Cambrian period. This incredibly ancient collection shows life in forms that few people recognize compared to modern animal fossils.
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