The Queensland Museum will use 3D scanning to digitise and visualise extinct supersized species of mammals, reptiles and marsupials found at a central Queensland mine during the past decade.
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The world-class technology will also share the museum's research with Australian students and international scientists and has been made available thanks to a $7.6 million partnership, between the Queensland Museum and global resources company BHP, called Project DIG (Digital Infrastructure Growth).
Queensland Museum Acting CEO Jim Thompson said the technology would change the way the museum shared the 1.2 million objects in the Queensland collection with the world.
"The Queensland Museum's purpose has never changed, in terms of presenting the history of Queensland and Australia," he said.
"But this partnership, the access we have to the mine site and this technology will allow us to pursue local and national stories in a different light.
"We are breaking new ground in terms of museums telling Australian stories, we've never had a partnership like this before."
Mr Thompson said the South Walker Creek site, about 125 kilometres south-west of Mackay, was discovered during a cultural survey of the area.
"Someone just noticed some unusual material and it turned out to be fossils from an era we have never seen before," he said.
"Dinosaurs roamed the Earth millions of years ago, but this megafauna came after them and is estimated to be between 1.6 million to tens-of-thousands of years old.
"We have found giant kangaroos, monitor lizards and wombats there ... it's one of the best sites we’ve got in Australia."
Mr Thompson said the five-year BHP partnership and associated 3D technology would help the museum to bring the fossils to life and showcase the incredible findings from the area.
"This is about building a picture of the animals - getting small fossils and turning them into something people can see and understand," he said.
"By scanning and producing a 3D image, we can share them with other scientists and the general public and say this is the type of animal we have here.
"The history is still uncertain as to when these animals started and when they died, but dating the fossils and understanding what history they were a part of is fascinating."
BHP South Walker Creek Mine general manager Edan Stolberg said Project DIG would allow scientists to reveal new and exciting information.
“As a company focussed on excellence in innovation and technology, we are delighted to continue our partnership with Queensland Museum through Project DIG – together we can build on the state’s eResearch capabilities sharing significant research that will help the scientists of today and tomorrow unlock solutions to global problems,” he said.
“It is our hope that. through our continued partnership, communities of researchers, learners, entrepreneurs and innovators can work together to question, challenge and create solutions to the challenges of the future.”
Minister for the Arts and Science Leeanne Enoch said the partnership would benefit both scientists and students.
“Project DIG is an alliance that will transform how the museum shares its extensive research with students and scientists no matter where they are – in a Year Two classroom in Mackay or a university laboratory in Germany," she said.
“The museum’s educational program will also benefit by sharing new knowledge and ideas with Queensland schools, inspiring young scientists across the state."
