Thousands of dinosaur footprints dating back 210 million years have been discovered in the remote Stelvio National Park in northern Italy, near the Swiss border. The footprints, some reaching 40cm in diameter, are aligned in parallel rows and display distinct traces of toes and claws.
Paleontologist Cristiano Dal Sasso expressed his astonishment: I never would have imagined I'd come across such a spectacular discovery in the region where I live. The footprints are believed to belong to prosauropods, large herbivores characterized by long necks, small heads, and sharp claws.
Initially spotted by photographer Elio Della Ferrera, the traces stretch hundreds of meters along a vertical mountain wall that was a tidal flat in the Triassic period. Dal Sasso noted, This place was full of dinosaurs; it's an immense scientific treasure. The patterns of the footprints suggest the dinosaurs may have engaged in complex behaviors, such as forming circles, possibly for defense.
The discovery showcases a vibrant ecosystem, revealing that these prosauropods could measure up to 10m long and often rested their forelimbs on the ground.
Due to the remoteness of the site, further exploration will utilize drones and remote sensing tools. The find has sparked renewed interest in understanding the Earth's ancient history, coinciding with the upcoming Winter Olympics in the vicinity.
Elio Della Ferrera expressed hope that the discovery encourages reflection on human knowledge of the natural world, emphasizing how much remains to be explored and learned.
