| LOCATION |
| Map |
Show Map
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| Address |
FLINDERS RANGES |
| Locality |
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| Accuracy |
H - high level confidence |
| Council Area |
Land Not Within a Council Area (Flinders) |
| Polygon Type |
P - parcel (from DCDB) |
| DESCRIPTION |
| Details (Known As) |
Wilkawillina Archaeocyatha Geological Site, partly located within Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park [Designated as a place of palaeontological significance] |
| Registered Name |
Wilkawillina Archaeocyatha Site |
| Significance |
The massive outcrops of Wilkawillina Limestone in this area contain fossil Archaeocyatha in a state of remarkable preservation on a scale rarely found in other parts of the world. Archaeocyatha, which partly resembled both sponges and coral, are known to be the first great reef builders in the sea, with a wide geographical distribution, and are the earliest fossils to be preserved in the Cambrian sediments of South Australia. Their appearance is used as a marker fossil to differentiate between Precambrian rocks and the earliest Cambrian rocks. Their preservation in South Australia is exceptional and various species from this locality have been used for correlation with other regions worldwide. Several type sections for Early Cambrian fossiliferous rocks, including that of the Wilkawillina Limestone, have been designated in the locality.
Statement of Designation - Designated Place of Palaeontological Significance
The Wilkawillina Archaeocyatha Site is a distinctive palaeontological and geological site located within the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. The Site includes sedimentary rocks ranging in age from early and early-middle Cambrian approximately 530-509Ma (Million years ago).
The Wilkawillina Archaeocyatha Site is named after the Archaeocyatha marine fossils found in high concentrations in the area. The site is considered by palaeontologists as among the most complete and well-studied Archaeocyatha fossil locations in Australia. Archaeocyatha deposits have been identified in the geological formations throughout Wilkawillina and the abundant fossils allow researchers to determine the age of stratigraphical layers at high precision. This provides valuable geological information about the site. Altogether, the type localities of at least 24 species lie within the Site.
The exposure of the formations and rich abundance of fossils at Wilkawillina Archaeocyatha Site, provides considerable opportunities for further research and demonstrates a high level of palaeontological and geological scientific importance for South Australia. Designation date: 14-NOV-2024
(Adapted from HB Assessment Report)
The massive outcrops of Wilkawillina Limestone in this area contain fossil Archaeocyatha in a state of remarkable preservation on a scale rarely found in other parts of the world. Archaeocyathae, which partly resembled both sponges and coral, are known to be the first great reef builders in the sea, with a wide geographical distribution, and are the earliest fossils to be preserved in the Cambrian sediments of South Australia. Their appearance is used as a marker fossil to differentiate between Precambrian rocks and the earliest Cambrian rocks. Their preservation in South Australia is exceptional and various species from this locality have been used for correlation with other regions worldwide. Several Type Sections for Early Cambrian fossiliferous rocks, including that of the Wilkawillina Limestone, have been designated in the locality. Authorized date: 14-MAR-2006
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| Subject Index |
Landscape area - Palaeontological Site; Landscape area - Natural Landscape; Landscape area - Geological Site |
| Class |
State |
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| STATUS |
| Status Code |
REG - Confirmed as a State Heritage Place in the SA Heritage Register |
| Status Date |
19-AUG-1993 |
| REFERENCE |
| LGA |
Unincorporated SA |
| State Heritage ID |
14377 |
| Heritage Number |
74 |
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| SECTION 16 INFORMATION |
| Section 16 |
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| PLAN PARCEL & TITLE |
| As listed in the SA Heritage Register |
| Plan Parcel & Title Information |
CL 6213/306 D84473 A11,CR 6228/877 D90825 Q61 |