Newly documented ancient rock art in northern Australia is offering fresh insight into the long-lost Tasmanian tiger and its presence on the mainland.
The Tasmanian tiger, also known as the thylacine, was a striped, dog-like marsupial that once lived across Australia. It later disappeared from the mainland and is now widely considered extinct. Scientists have long believed the species vanished from mainland Australia about 3,000 years ago. The new findings suggest it may have survived much later in northern regions.
Rock art reveals animals in northern landscapes
Researchers identified rock art depicting both thylacines and Tasmanian devils at two sites in northwest Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. These images confirm that both species once lived in areas where they are no longer found.
The project was led by Paul Taçon of Griffith University, in partnership with Traditional Owners. The team documented 14 new images of thylacines and two of Tasmanian devils.
Findings suggest later survival
Some of the artworks may be less than 1,000 years old. This suggests the animals could have survived in northern Australia far longer than previously believed.
Researchers say the findings provide visual evidence that humans and these species may have coexisted more recently than earlier estimates suggest. The discovery could reshape current understanding of when these animals disappeared from mainland Australia.
Pigments help estimate the age of artworks
The paintings appear in different Aboriginal art styles and were created using natural pigments. Artists mainly used red and yellow ochre, a practice that dates back about 15,000 years.
Some images also include white pipe clay. This material fades more quickly and does not stain rock surfaces as deeply as ochre. Because of this, paintings made with white pigment are usually considered more recent. Researchers believe many of these artworks are likely less than 1,000 years old.
Thylacines held strong cultural importance
The research shows that thylacines had a stronger cultural presence than Tasmanian devils. More than 160 thylacine images have been recorded in rock art across Australia, compared with about 25 depictions of Tasmanian devils.
Taçon said some of the more recent paintings may have been created by artists who saw living thylacines. He added that others may have been inspired by earlier artworks. In both cases, the animal remains culturally significant.
Today, Indigenous artists continue to depict the Tasmanian tiger on bark, paper, and canvas. In local tradition, it is known as “Djankerrk.”
Cultural meaning preserved over generations
Co-author Andrea Jalandoni of the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research said some paintings were retouched over time. This suggests the animals remained important across generations.
She said the rock art provides rare insight into how people once understood and related to the thylacine. The images reflect its role in daily life and local knowledge long before it disappeared.
Oral histories reinforce lasting significance
Oral traditions in the region also highlight the thylacine’s importance. Stories describe the animal as a companion of the Rainbow Serpent and link it to water and rock pools.
Co-author Joey Nganjmirra said the animal was part of everyday life for his ancestors. He said stories describe people hunting alongside thylacines, showing a close relationship between humans and the animal.
Taçon said the research highlights the thylacine’s continued relevance in western Arnhem Land. He said it is not seen as a creature of the distant past but as one that still holds meaning in present-day cultural traditions.
Study highlights value of rock art
The findings were published in Archaeology in Oceania. Researchers say the study shows how rock art can serve as a valuable historical record.
Unlike fossils, these images provide insight into how ancient communities observed animals and recorded their world. The discovery adds new detail to the history of Australia’s wildlife and its connection with human life.
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