This work is a linguistically based historical ethnography of the mammal species of the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, from pre-European times to the present day. The research was motivated by linguistic evidence in the Adnyamathanha people's language, Yura Ngawarla, for the recent existence of a number of mammals in the Flinders Ranges region. The work aims firstly to identify each species represented by those language terms and to discover the identity of other species also present in the past 200 years. Secondly, it aims to present an exhaustive ethnography of mammals for that region. This work is essentially cross-disciplinary, with research extending into the often overlapping fields of linguistics, anthropology, archaeology, applied science, historical zoology and history. Comparative linguistics, oral tradition, historical records, scientific data and sub-fossil material are used to identify the species present at European occupation and their role in traditional Aboriginal life, and in passing, to establish the former existence and distribution of those species throughout the region of the two South Australian gulfs. An inventory of extant and extinct Flinders Ranges species is established. Linguistic, ethnographic, zoological and historical data are used to estimate when species extinction occurred, and what may (or may not) have been the main factors involved. A significant outcome of this work is the documentation of a part of Aboriginal knowledge which itself was on the verge of extinction, and the affirmation of well attested Aboriginal oral tradition as an authentic 'authoritative source'. Conclusion: Prior to European occupation the Flinders Ranges had a rich mammalian fauna comprising around 60 native species. These played a significant part in Aboriginal people's diet, manufacturing industry and cultural and spiritual life. By the end of the first half century of European occupation or soon after around two thirds of the terrestrial species had vanished. The effect of these events on Aboriginal people's ability to survive in their own territory was devastating and irreversible.