Unveiling a prehistoric spectacle, a wildlife photographer's fortuitous discovery in Italy's Stelvio National Park has unveiled a trove of dinosaur footprints, offering a glimpse into the ancient past. This remarkable find, nestled near the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic venue of Bormio, has captivated paleontologists and enthusiasts alike. With an estimated 20,000 footprints spanning three miles, this collection is not only extensive but also unique, as it represents one of the oldest and largest known assemblages, dating back approximately 210 million years to the Triassic Period. The sheer number of footprints and their location near the Swiss border, once a prehistoric coastal area, make this discovery particularly significant.
The footprints, believed to be from long-necked bipedal herbivores, offer a fascinating insight into dinosaur behavior. Some tracks, measuring 40 centimeters wide with visible claws, suggest these dinosaurs traveled in packs and occasionally formed circular formations, possibly for protection. Cristiano Dal Sasso, a paleontologist at Milan's Natural History Museum, expressed awe at the discovery, stating, 'This time reality really surpasses fantasy.'
The discovery was made by Elio Della Ferrera, a wildlife photographer, who initially set out to capture deer and vultures. However, his camera's focus on a vertical wall nearly 2,000 feet above the nearest road revealed the hidden treasure. The location, at an elevation of 7,900-9,200 feet above sea level, presented a challenge in spotting the footprints without a strong lens. Della Ferrera's curiosity led him to scale the vertical rock wall, and he was rewarded with the discovery of tens of thousands of well-preserved prints.
The park's entrance, where the prints were found, is just a mile from Bormio, the host of Men's Alpine skiing during the February Games. Lombardy regional governor, Attilio Fontana, hailed the discovery as a 'gift for the Olympics,' despite the site's inaccessibility in winter. While plans for public access are yet to be finalized, this discovery promises to enrich our understanding of dinosaur behavior and the ancient landscape of Italy.
