A significant discovery of thousands of dinosaur footprints has been reported within a national park in northern Italy. These fossilized tracks are estimated to be 210 million years old, dating to the Triassic period.
The footprints, some measuring up to 40 centimeters in diameter, are arranged in parallel lines. Many display distinct impressions of toes and claws. Initial analysis suggests the prints were made by prosauropods, a type of herbivorous dinosaur known for its long neck, small head, and sharp claws.
The site was first identified last September by a photographer within the Stelvio National Park, located northeast of Milan. The footprints extend for hundreds of meters along a vertical mountain wall. During the Triassic period, this geological formation constituted a tidal flat, which later became integrated into the Alpine mountain range.
Researchers indicate that the area was populated by numerous dinosaurs. Observations suggest herd movement patterns, with some traces indicating more complex behaviors, such as animals forming circular groupings, potentially for defensive purposes. Prosauropods, which could reach lengths of up to 10 meters, primarily moved bipedally. However, the presence of handprints positioned in front of footprints suggests these dinosaurs may have occasionally rested by supporting their forelimbs on the ground.