Key finding

Not all of the fossil deposits are contained within Riversleigh’s designated World Heritage boundaries. Some resource mining and exploration activity occurs in the vicinity of the World Heritage Area, however the fossil deposits are largely situated within the boundary of the Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park. The representativeness of the site located within the National Park is judged as adequate.

The physical removal of fossils poses an issue for the integrity of those fossils. As paleontology is an extractive science, the determination of a site’s scientific value involves the removal of specimens from their depositional context to laboratories for study. The extent to which the fossil resource is affected by paleontological excavation in Riversleigh was less than 1% at the time of inscription.

To retain the integrity of the original site as much as possible, collections should not be too widely dispersed. Conditions are applied, supported by legislation, to record the location and regulate the removal of fossil material from both Riversleigh and Naracoorte. The paleontological work is important for the identification, presentation and transmission of the World Heritage values of the property to future generations.

More information:

• Statement of Outstanding Universal Value
• World Heritage List

• Previous Riversleigh section of the Australian Fossil Mammal Sites World Heritage natural criteria
• Next Illegal removal of fossils at Riversleigh section of Australian Fossil Mammal Sites