Paleontologists in the Lake Eyre basin have discovered the most complete skeleton to date of a Genyornis newtoni, a giant flightless bird that stood over two meters tall. The fossil remains, dating to approximately 50,000 years ago, show clear signs of human interaction, providing significant data on the extinction of Australian megafauna.
The discovery includes fossilized eggshells and gastroliths (stomach stones), offering rare insights into the diet and reproductive habits of these 'thunder birds.' Researchers are now investigating whether climate change or hunting was the primary driver for their sudden disappearance shortly after the arrival of the first Australians.