Thousands of dinosaur footprints, estimated to be 210 million years old, have been identified in a national park in northern Italy. The discovery was made on a vertical mountain wall within Stelvio National Park, located north-east of Milan.
The footprints, some measuring up to 40cm (15in) in diameter, appear in parallel rows. Many exhibit distinct traces of toes and claws. Researchers hypothesize these tracks belong to prosauropods, a group of herbivorous dinosaurs characterized by long necks, small heads, and sharp claws. These dinosaurs could reach lengths of up to 10m (33ft) and typically walked on two legs. Observations indicate instances where handprints are positioned in front of footprints, suggesting these animals may have occasionally rested their forelimbs on the ground.
The area where the footprints were found was historically a tidal flat during the Triassic period, approximately 250 to 201 million years ago. This geological formation later became integrated into the Alpine mountain range.
The footprints were initially observed last September by photographer Elio Della Ferrera. Milan-based paleontologist Cristiano Dal Sasso has described the site as scientifically significant due to the extensive preservation of tracks. Patterns in the trackways suggest group movement and potentially more complex interactions, such as animals gathering in circular formations, which some researchers interpret as defensive behaviors.