We review current zooarchaeological practice in Australia, identifying major research themes and key methodological gaps where opportunities exist for the development of Australian zooarchaeology as a discipline. We demonstrate that marsupial remains form a significant component of Australian zooarchaeological assemblages, yet high resolution taxonomic identification of these remains continues to prove challenging, owing to a combination of high species diversity and few resources which provide diagnostic criteria for discriminating morphologically similar, but ecologically variable taxa. The lack of robust protocols for discriminating marsupial taxa significantly impacts our ability to effectively integrate zooarchaeological data into broader narratives of Aboriginal colonisation, resilience and adaptation across Australia. Publication of identification protocols would help refine and standardise diagnostic criteria used between analysts, improve the methodological transparency of zooarchaeological analysis and provide resources for the training of a new generation of specialists. A range of opportunities currently exist, utilising qualitative and quantitative techniques, to significantly contribute towards the methodological robustness of zooarchaeological practice in Australia.

中文翻译：

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从澳大利亚考古遗址识别有袋动物：动物考古实践中当前的方法论挑战和机遇

我们回顾了澳大利亚当前的动物考古实践，确定澳大利亚动物考古学作为一门学科发展的机会存在的主要研究主题和关键方法论差距。我们证明有袋动物遗骸是澳大利亚动物考古组合的重要组成部分，但对这些遗骸的高分辨率分类鉴定仍然具有挑战性，因为物种多样性高且资源稀少，这为区分形态相似但生态可变的提供了诊断标准分类群。缺乏区分有袋类动物分类群的可靠协议，严重影响了我们将动物考古数据有效整合到澳大利亚原住民殖民、复原力和适应的更广泛叙述中的能力。鉴定协议的公布将有助于完善和标准化分析员之间使用的诊断标准，提高动物考古分析方法的透明度，并为新一代专家的培训提供资源。目前存在一系列机会，利用定性和定量技术，为澳大利亚动物考古实践的方法论稳健性做出重大贡献。