Eromanga Megafauna Dig

Location: Eulo

Season: August 3, 2025 to August 11, 2025

Session Dates: Aug 3-11, 2025

Application Deadline: June 1, 2025

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.ancientodysseys.com/paleontologydigaustralia

Program Type:
Field School, Volunteer

RPA Certified:
No

Project Director:
Robin Mackenzie

Project Description:

This is a paleontology expedition deep into the outback of Queensland. The 5-day paleontology dig takes place in the remote southwest town of Eulo, where ten species of extinct megafauna have been found. These animals lived around 150,000-50,000 years ago. The most predominant species found is the world’s largest marsupial—the giant bear-shaped Diprotodon.

You will be an essential member of a small but mighty team excavating these minivan-sized marsupials. It’s possible you’ll unearth Varanus priscus, a giant extinct goanna, or a massive, short-faced kangaroos called Procoptodon goliah. And as with any paleontology excavation, there is always the possibility of finding new species!

During your 5-day excavation, your days will consist of:

Each morning, after a hearty breakfast at your accommodations, you’ll be driven about 20 minutes to the dig site and work begins around 7:30am.

On the first day, you will learn proper fossil excavation and collection techniques.

From there, our dig begins! You’ll be trained in how to perform paleontological fieldwork alongside a team of experts who will be guiding you along the way over the next five days on our search for the bones of extinct megafauna and microfauna that once roamed Outback Australia.

You’ll dig through lightly-packed dirt searching for bones. You’ll learn how to protect the fossils and ensure they are safe to be transported back to the fossil prep lab in Eromanga. You’ll learn how to “jacket” your fossils in plaster to keep them from breaking during transport. Once the plaster dries, it’s ready for transport.

All excavation tools are provided, and you’ll be digging through lightly-packed dirt, searching for and excavating bones. You’ll also jacket bones for collection and all finds will be transported to the fossil prep lab at the Eromanga Natural History Museum. Every dig site is different and as such careful consideration is given by the dig supervisor to ensure the right tools are used to ensure that the bones are removed undamaged and safely.

Once work is done each day, you’ll be driven back to your accommodations to clean up and get ready for dinner.

Period(s) of Occupation: Pleistocene

Notes:
This is part of a 9-day expedition which includes 5 full days of digging megafauna with a small team of paleontologists and volunteers. Additional activities include: A trip to the historic Yowah Opal fi elds where you'll search for the distinctive Yowah Nut to take home a piece of outback history and a day in the fossil prep lab in addition to sumptuous meals and twilight activities. Cost: From AUSTRALIAN $4390

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 9 days

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: No experience is required. All training and tools are provided.

Room and Board Arrangements:
All room and board is provided.

Academic Credit:
None