Join us at 7.30pm Thursday October 1 2026. All welcome!
The potential of goethite for the preservation of extremely fine details in a wide range of fossils has first been recognised at McGraths Flat, a newly discovered Miocene Konservat-Lagerstätte* near Gulgong, New South Wales. McGraths Flat hosts a rich diversity of microfossils, plants, insects and spiders along with fishes and other vertebrate remains. The site also provides evidence for species interactions such as predation, parasitism and pollination. The variety of fossils and the extraordinary high fidelity of the preservation allows for unprecedented insights into the mesic ecosystems that dominated Australia until the Middle Miocene.
The paleontological collection of the Australian Museum holds a similar fossiliferous rock but there is no exact record of where it was collected. The only clue is that the rock was ‘found’ in a drawer with rocks from Kiandra, NSW, suggesting it was collected nearby. Michael is hoping someone might know of iron (goethite)-rich fossiliferous rocks close to the ACT border or interested in helping find this ‘lost’ fossil site.
Michael will also bring along some rocks and magnifying glasses for us all to examine
* Note – Konservat-Lagerstätten are deposits known for the exceptional preservation of fossilized organisms (Lagerstätte – Wikiwand)
Bio
Dr Michael Frese is an Associate Professor and team leader of the Molecular Virology Group at the University of Canberra and a CSIRO affiliate. His virology research focuses on the rabbit caliciviruses. Michael also has a keen interest in palaeontology and the use of scanning electron microscopy and other imaging techniques to examine exceptionally preserved fossils.
We meet in the Slatyer Seminar Room, on the first floor of the R N Robertson Building, 46 Sullivans Creek Road at the ANU. Head up the stepped ramp on the right as you enter the building. Lifts are also available. The Slatyer room will be on your left at the front of the building. Light refreshments will be served from 7pm. Please bring a keep cup or mug for coffee or tea.
Non (and new!) members always very welcome.
Photo: Ancient Spider © Michael Frese (Megamonodontium mccluskyi, a fossil trapdoor spider from McGraths Flat)