Ancient Dinosaur Footprints Unearthed in Northern Italy

Thousands of dinosaur footprints estimated to be about 210 million years old have been uncovered in northern Italy. These remarkable finds were located on a steep rock face in the Valle di Fraele, approximately 2,000 metres above sea level. The discovery offers significant insights into the behavior of these ancient creatures during the Triassic period.

The footprints, which measure around 40 centimetres in diameter, are arranged in parallel rows and exhibit detailed imprints of toes and claws. Paleontologists believe these tracks were made by herds of prosauropods, a group of long-necked, herbivorous dinosaurs. The markings suggest that these dinosaurs roamed near a warm lagoon, which served as a prime environment for them to traverse the beaches.

Experts assert that the positioning of the footprints indicates that the dinosaurs periodically rested along their journey. Notably, some handprints found among the tracks differ in shape and size from the claw imprints, suggesting varied activities among the animals. The tracks stretch for about five kilometres and are considered one of the most significant Triassic fossil track sites globally. According to a press release from the Milan Natural History Museum, this site is crucial for understanding the behavior of dinosaurs in ancient ecosystems.

Significance of the Discovery

The discovery was made by wildlife photographer Elio Della Ferrera in September 2023, marking the first report of this specific collection of footprints. During a press conference, Cristiano Dal Sasso, a paleontologist at the Milan Natural History Museum, described the site as “one of the largest and oldest footprint locations in Italy, and among the most spectacular I’ve seen in 35 years.”

The prints are remarkably well-preserved, having been protected by layers of sediment for nearly a quarter of a billion years. Fabio Massimo Petti, an ichnologist at the MUSE Museum of Trento, explained that the footprints were formed when the ground was still soft, allowing for detailed impressions of the anatomy of the dinosaurs’ feet, including toe and claw details.

As the geological landscape transformed over millions of years, the movement of tectonic plates caused the fossilized footprints to shift from a horizontal orientation to a vertical position on a mountain slope. This transformation is a result of the closing and drying up of the ancient Tethys Ocean, which once surrounded the area.

Future Research and Exploration

While several other sites with footprints of a similar geological age exist, this discovery stands out as the first of its kind in Lombardy and the only one exposed north of the significant Insubric Line, a crucial Alpine fault system. Given the remote location of the site, researchers will employ drones and remote sensing technologies to further study the area.

Experts speculate that the prints may belong to a previously unidentified ichnospecies, a classification used by scientists to categorize patterns of ancient organisms when biological information is limited. The Milan Natural History Museum indicated that “only future detailed investigations will allow for precise classification.”

Della Ferrera expressed his hopes that this discovery would prompt a broader reflection on the natural history of our planet, emphasizing how much remains unknown about the environments we inhabit. The findings not only enhance our understanding of dinosaur behavior but also highlight the rich geological history of northern Italy.