Scientists have uncovered a remarkable cache of million-year-old fossils deep inside a cave in New Zealand, offering the first detailed glimpse into an ancient ecosystem that vanished long before humans arrived on the islands.
The discovery was made in a cave near Waitomo on the North Island and includes fossil remains of 12 bird species and four frog species. Researchers say the findings reveal a once-thriving forest ecosystem that was repeatedly devastated by extreme climate changes and powerful volcanic eruptions.
Fossils Reveal Repeated Extinctions Before Human Arrival
According to the study, published in Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology the fossils are trapped between layers of volcanic ash dated between 1.55 million and 1 million years ago. This period was marked by massive eruptions and rapid climate shifts that wiped out an estimated 33 to 50 per cent of species living in the region at the time.
The cave is now considered the oldest known fossil-bearing cave on New Zealand’s North Island. Scientists say these repeated environmental catastrophes reshaped the region’s biodiversity long before humans set foot on the islands around 750 years ago.
New Parrot Species Among Major Discoveries
One of the most significant finds is a newly identified parrot species named Strigops insulaborealis, believed to be an ancestor of the modern flightless kākāpō. Unlike today’s heavy, ground-dwelling bird, this ancient parrot had weaker legs, suggesting it may have been capable of flight.
Researchers also uncovered fossils of an extinct takahē relative and a pigeon species similar to Australia’s bronzewing, helping scientists trace evolutionary links across changing forest and shrubland environments.
Filling a Major Gap in New Zealand’s Fossil Record
The research team, led by palaeontologists from Flinders University and Canterbury Museum, say the find fills a crucial gap in New Zealand fossil history. While previous excavations revealed life from 16 to 20 million years ago, little was known about the following 15 million years.
Senior researchers said the findings challenge the long-held belief that most of New Zealand extinctions were caused solely by human activity. Instead, the study highlights how natural forces such as super-volcanoes and climate shifts played a decisive role in shaping the country wildlife far earlier.
Scientists describe the discovery as a “critical baseline” that reshapes understanding of New Zealand’s natural history and underscores nature power to dramatically alter biodiversity over time.