In brief
Scientists have uncovered thousands of dinosaur footprints in Stelvio National Park, northern Italy, dating back to the Triassic period. These footprints, some measuring up to 40 cm in diameter, suggest a significant presence of prosauropods. The discovery highlights the area's prehistoric significance and promises further exploration using modern technology.
Thousands of dinosaur footprints dating back 210 million years have been found in a national park in northern Italy.
The footprints - some of which are up to 40cm (15in) in diameter - are aligned in parallel rows, and many show clear traces of toes and claws.
It is thought the dinosaurs were prosauropods - herbivores with long necks, small heads and sharp claws.
I never would have imagined I'd come across such a spectacular discovery in the region where I live, said Milan-based paleontologist Cristiano Dal Sasso.
Last September, a photographer spotted the footprints stretching hundreds of metres on a vertical mountain wall in the Stelvio national park, north-east of Milan.
In the Triassic period - between about 250 and 201 million years ago - the wall was a tidal flat, which later became part of the Alpine chain.
According to Dal Sasso, This place was full of dinosaurs; it's an immense scientific treasure. The discovery not only reveals the movement patterns of these ancient giants but also their social behaviors.
The area, remote and lacking access paths, will undergo further exploration using drones and remote sensing technology. This research promises to unveil more about the dinosaurs that once roamed this region, providing a fascinating glimpse into our planet's distant past.
