Definition:
Megafauna is a term used by archaeologists and paleontologist to refer to large-bodied mammals, that is, any mammal weighing more than 100 pounds (45 kilograms). Megafauna are of most interest to archaeologists because of the massive die off of megafauna (known as the megafaunal extinctions) during the end of the Pleistocene era, between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago. Many of the megafauna which died during this period were massive, up to 4500 kgs.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology.
Examples: As used by archaeologists, the term generally refers to large-bodied extinct animals, such as woolly mammoths and mastodons, sabertooth cats, gomphotheres, giant ground sloths, woolly rhinoceros, dire wolf, etc.