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Fossilised wood

Tess Egan, Librarian, Australian Antarctic Division on her favourite Antarctica object. Tess worked closely with the Museum on the acquisition of the National Antarctic Heritage Collection.

A cream, brown and grey piece of fossilised tree trunk. The trunk is semi-circular with an indent running down the centre. There are cracks in the stone along the rings of the tree, and traces of blue paint across the top.
Fossilised Glossopteris wood, from 251–298 million years ago, found in East Antarctica

It’s a tough call to pick just one favourite object in a collection that is so varied and interesting. I think that the fossilised tree trunk is compelling.

It’s from an ancient tree (Glossopteris) and was formed over millions of years through a process of permineralisation, where organic material is replaced by minerals.

It is evidence of a time when Antarctica formed part of the supercontinent Gondwana and was teeming with lush forests and animal life.

Antarctica and Gondwana

After coming together over a period of 100 million years, starting 160 million years ago, Gondwana gradually broke up. Australia and Antarctica shifted apart and formed separate continents.

As Australia drifted north, the Southern Ocean’s circumpolar circulation developed, isolating Antarctica from the rest of the world. Over time the Antarctic icesheet formed, removing most vegetation.

This specimen was discovered in sedimentary rocks of the Permian period, 251–298 million years ago, at Pagodroma Gorge, a deep-sided gorge in the northern Prince Charles Mountains, about 320 kilometres southeast of Mawson station.

It’s a special object, demonstrating the deep and enduring connection between Australia and Antarctica.

This team favourite is from The Museum magazine. Buy the special Antarctica issue

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