In a groundbreaking discovery, paleontologists have uncovered thousands of dinosaur footprints, dating back 210 million years, in the Stelvio National Park located in northern Italy.
The footprints, several of which are up to 40cm (15in) in diameter, are arranged in parallel rows, many clearly showcasing toe and claw impressions. Experts believe these tracks belong to prosauropods—herbivorous dinosaurs characterized by their long necks, small heads, and sharp claws.
Milan-based paleontologist Cristiano Dal Sasso expressed his astonishment, stating, I never would have imagined I'd come across such a spectacular discovery in the region where I live.
The discovery was first spotted by photographer Elio Della Ferrera last September, when he documented the footprints sprawling across a vertical mountain wall in the national park. During the Triassic period, what is now a mountainous region was formerly a tidal flat, a setting conducive to preserving such ancient tracks.
This place was full of dinosaurs; it's an immense scientific treasure, remarked Dal Sasso, emphasizing the complexity of behaviors suggested by the footprint patterns, including groups of dinosaurs potentially gathering for defense.
These prosauropods, which could grow up to 10 meters (33 feet) long, primarily walked on two legs but also left handprints, indicating moments of rest. The area’s remote location, currently inaccessible by trails, will be studied using drones and remote sensing technologies.
The Stelvio National Park, situated in the scenic Fraele Valley near the Italian-Swiss border, is set to gain further significance as it coincides with the upcoming Winter Olympics, where the past and present beautifully intertwine through this remarkable archaeological find.
