Paleontologists have uncovered a remarkable collection of 200-million-year-old dinosaur footprints in Dujiangyan, Sichuan Province, offering fresh insights into early dinosaur evolution. The discovery marks the first recorded dinosaur tracks in this region of southwest China.
A hiker initially spotted the fossilized imprints last month on a rock wall, which were later verified by a team led by Xing Lida, associate professor at China University of Geosciences (Beijing). The site contains more than 20 distinct footprints across four geological layers, suggesting sustained dinosaur activity over millennia.
The tracks include varied theropod footprints from meat-eating dinosaurs and distinctive chirotherian-type impressions resembling human hands, attributed to early archosaur reptiles. Researchers also discovered preserved petrified wood specimens nearby, including intact tree stumps and fallen logs, painting a vivid picture of the Late Triassic ecosystem.
"This multi-layered preservation is exceptionally rare," Xing noted. "It allows us to study both the dinosaurs and their environment in unprecedented detail."
Jiang Shan from Zigong Dinosaur Museum emphasized the discovery's significance: "These footprints fill crucial gaps in our understanding of dinosaur distribution and evolution during this pivotal period in Earth's history."
