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Dinosaur Footprints Found on Giant Alpine Rock Face
5 Jan
Summary
- Thousands of dinosaur footprints discovered on a near-vertical rock face.
- Tracks date back over 200 million years to the Triassic period.
- Discovery occurred in Italy's Stelvio National Park at high altitude.
Paleontologists in Italy have made a significant discovery in Stelvio National Park, uncovering thousands of dinosaur footprints on a near-vertical rock face over 2,000 metres above sea level. This site is considered one of the most important for the Triassic period, with tracks stretching for approximately five kilometres near Bormio.
These ancient prints, some measuring up to 40 cm and showing claw marks, are estimated to be over 200 million years old. Experts suggest they were likely made by herds of long-necked herbivores, such as plateosaurs, when the area was a warm lagoon. The sediments, now rock, have preserved exceptional details of their feet.
The discovery was made by chance by a wildlife photographer. The fossilized footprints, originally horizontal, were shifted to their current vertical position due to tectonic activity as the African plate moved north. Due to the remote location, drones and remote sensing technologies will be employed for further study.
