Archaeologists Study Ancient Dingo Burial in New South Wales

Archaeologists working with Barkindji elders excavated and studied the skeleton of an elderly male dingo found eroding from a road cut in Kinchega National Park, New South Wales. The bones lay on the left side inside a mound of river mussel shells. Radiocarbon dating placed the initial burial between 916 and 963 years ago.

The dingo showed worn teeth, possible arthritis, and healed fractures in a rib and lower leg. Researchers estimated the animal was between four and seven years old at death. The healed injuries suggest someone cared for the dingo after it was injured, possibly during a kangaroo hunt.

Barkindji people added layers of shells to the mound for centuries after the burial. Elders described the practice as a ritual “feeding” to honor the dingo as a community member. This is the first documented case of a shell midden being maintained for so many generations as a burial site.

University of Western Australia specialist Loukas Koungoulos said the findings show the relationship between people and dingoes was more widespread than previously understood. Barkindji custodian Dave Doyle and elder Barb Quayle participated in the excavation and reburial process.

Earlier this year the team returned the skeleton to Barkindji land following a smoking ceremony performed by Quayle.