Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

Tasmanian Devils Coexisted with Humans in Australia 45,000 Years Ago

New research indicates that Tasmanian devils once inhabited mainland Australia, including areas frequented by humans as far back as 45,000 years ago. Fossils found in the Pilbara region suggest a relationship where devils scavenged from human settlements.

Fossils unearthed at Juukan Gorge in northwestern Australia, the territory of the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura peoples, reveal the presence of Tasmanian devils alongside Ice Age humans. This challenges the common perception of devils being solely inhabitants of Tasmania.

A jaw bone fragment found at the Juukan 2 rock shelter is between 6,900 and 7,300 years old, while a tooth fragment dates to between 42,500 and 47,100 years old. These findings suggest devils utilized human caves as food sources.

Analysis of over 8,000 animal bones from the site showed gnaw marks consistent with Tasmanian devil teeth, dating from around 47,000 years ago to the Holocene. Some digested bone fragments were too large for smaller native carnivores, indicating digestion by a large dasyurid like the Tasmanian devil.

Researchers concluded that devils acted as a 'local cleanup crew,' consuming carrion accumulated by humans. This scavenging behavior suggests a closer interaction between devils and ancient Australians than previously understood.

The discovery adds the Pilbara region to the ancient territory of the Tasmanian devil, whose mainland range significantly diminished after being outcompeted by dingoes. The findings highlight an ancient interspecies relationship.

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