"Scientific Treasure": Thousands of Dinosaur Footprints Discovered on Italian Mountain

Thousands of dinosaur footprints dating back 210 million years have been discovered in a national park in northern Italy. The footprints, some reaching 40 cm (15 inches) in diameter, are arranged in parallel rows, with many clearly showing toe and claw marks.

1. Discovery and Species

• The Site: Photographer Elio Della Ferrera spotted the prints stretching for hundreds of meters on a vertical mountain wall in Stelvio National Park. During the Triassic period, this wall was a flat tidal plain before tectonic activity pushed it into the Alps.

• The Species: The prints belong to Prosauropods, long-necked herbivores with small heads and sharp claws, which could grow up to 10 meters (33 feet) long.

2. Scientific Significance

• Complex Behavior: Paleontologist Cristiano Dal Sasso noted that the tracks reveal complex social behaviors, such as herds moving in harmony and groups forming circles, likely for defensive purposes.

• Physical Posture: While Prosauropods were primarily bipedal, some prints show impressions of front limbs, suggesting they occasionally paused and rested their weight on all fours.

3. Remote Sensing and Olympic Connection

• High-Tech Research: As the site is remote and inaccessible by road, the Italian Ministry of Culture will utilize drones and remote sensing technology for further study.

• The Olympic Link: The site is located near the venue for next year's Winter Olympics. The Ministry described the discovery as a symbolic "handover of the baton" between nature's ancient history and modern global sports.