Madonna & Child walking (free-standing sculpt)- Small diprotodon
(Silvabestius johnnilandi)
Part of our unique Australian Megafauna Collection- on display at Riversleigh Fossil and Discovery Centre Mt.Isa.
Natureworks custom-designed this Madonna and child – small diprotodon for an exhibit in Riversleigh Fossil and Discovery Centre at Mt Isa. It provides a family oriented aspect to exhibits and educational setting.
About Madonna & Child exhibit Megafauna animal
This small diprotodon is commonly referred to as the “Madonna and child megafauna,” is an extinct marsupial that lived in the Miocene epoch approximately 15–20 million years ago. This fascinating creature was a diprotodont marsupial, part of a group that includes modern-day wombats and koalas. Fossil evidence suggests that Silvabestius johnnilandi was a herbivore and likely inhabited the lush rainforest regions of northern Queensland, Australia. The nickname “Madonna and child” comes from a remarkable fossil discovery of a mother and juvenile preserved together, which offers unique insights into the species’ life history, anatomy, and behaviour.
Recreating a lifelike sculpture
- Fossil Morphology: Museum information provides information of the skeletal remains and helps with reconstructing the animal’s body shape and proportions, and of course some artistic interpretation to bring this extinct marsupial to life.
- Comparative Anatomy: By comparing Silvabestius to its closest living relatives (koalas and wombats), artists and scientists can hypothesize details about its musculature, fur, and other external features.
- Environmental Context: Research into Miocene flora and associated fauna allows the sculpt to be placed in a realistic and educational setting, reflecting the animal’s habitat.
Such displays are essential in inspiring curiosity about palaeontology and promoting conservation awareness, showing how environmental changes can impact species over millions of years. By preserving this history in sculptural form, the story of Silvabestius johnnilandi continues to resonate with modern audiences.
Riversleigh Fossil and Discovery Centre at Mt Isa. This popular world heritage tourist destination reveals a wealth of information about Australia’s unique megafauna species. Our custom sculptures help visitors conceptualise what these animals may have looked like millions of years ago. The Centre was delighted with the finished display (read about the project here).
Riversleigh World Heritage Area
“Riversleigh is one of the great wonders of the paleontological world” – Sir David Attenborough
The Riversleigh World Heritage Area at Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park has one of the most significant fossil deposits in the world. It is the richest known fossil mammal deposit in Australia and has revealed records of Gondwanan life forms that existed before the break up of this ancient continent.
Natureworks custom designed the cave at Riversleigh World Heritage Fossil D-site (read more about the project here).
Facts about the Fossil D-site
- D-Site was one of the first major fossil deposits found at Riversleigh and is the only publicly accessible part of this World Heritage area.
- Its fossils are from the Late Oligocene period, dating back 25 million years.
- Riversleigh fossil deposits are among the richest and most extensive in the world, with some fossils dating back 25 million years.
- Fossils include turtles, fish snails, crocodiles, lizards, pythons, birds and many mammals, superbly preserved in limestone outcrops.
- Riversleigh was once a rainforest filled with lakes and waterways.
- The concentration of calcium carbonate in the water ensured fossils were extremely well preserved.
- When the skeletons of dead animals came into contact with this water, the bones were quickly coated in limey mud
- Later the bones were replaced with hard minerals from the limestone-rich water. Millions of years later, the fossilised bones were exposed after weathering by wind and water dissolved and removed surrounding soil and rock.
This fossil evidence has provided enough information for Natureworks to sculpt megafauna animals as a true-to-life 3D reconstruction. If you need help bringing any palaeontological fossil finds to life, Natureworks can help you build a museum-quality display.
Download our megafauna catalogue here

Megafauna sculptures are suitable for:
- Museum displays
- Tourist information centres
- Environmental education centres
- Mini-golf courses
- Educational display
- Palaeontological enthusiasts
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