Ref ID:	26819
Ref Type:	Journal Article
Authors:	Cobden, Rommy Clarkson, Chris Price, Gilbert J. David, Bruno Geneste, Jean-Michel Delannoy, Jean-Jacques Barker, Bryce Lamb, Lara Gunn, Robert G.
Title:	The identification of extinct megafauna in rock art using geometric morphometrics: a <i> Genyoris newtoni </i> painting in Arnhem Land, northern Australia?
Date:	2017
Source:	Journal of Archaeological Science
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2017.09.013
Abstract:	Identifying extinct fauna in rock art is a common but difficult exercise. Here we use geometric morphometric analysis of shape to examine the oft-cited painting from Arnhem Land attributed by Gunn et al. to the long-extinct species Genyornis newtoni. We compare the shape of key anatomical features in this painting to anatomical depictions of Genyornis as well as to two other possible candidates – the emu and the magpie goose. Comparisons are also made to rock art depictions of these birds from northern Australia. We find that while the so-called ‘Genyornis’ painting does more closely resemble anatomical depictions of Genyornis than any other bird examined, all rock art images overlap in shape to such a degree that confident assignment of this image to any avian species is problematic.
Date Created:	3/28/2018
Volume:	87
Page Start:	95
Page End:	107