Rare dinosaur footprints found in Biloela, Australia

Scientists have discovered a valuable collection of 66 dinosaur footprints in Australia. The footprints were hidden on a rock slab displayed at a high school for 20 years. This slab is about 200 million years old and provides a unique look at Early Jurassic dinosaurs. The study revealed that the footprints belong to 47 different dinosaurs of the ichnospecies Anomoepus scambus. These footprints document one of the highest concentrations of dinosaur tracks ever found in Australia. This finding is significant because no dinosaur bones from this period have been discovered in the country. Lead author Dr. Anthony Romilio explained that fossil dinosaur footprints are often undervalued. In Australia, they are the main evidence of dinosaurs from times before the oldest known bones, which date to about 160 million years ago. This fossil gives insights into the behavior of these ancient creatures. Advanced 3D imaging techniques helped researchers identify the footprints and their patterns. Most footprints ranged from 5 to 20 centimeters in length. The tracks suggest that the dinosaurs were likely crossing a river or moving along its banks. Romilio also analyzed other fossils found in surprising locations, including a large boulder with dinosaur footprints used as a parking lot marker. The original rock slab was sourced from the Callide Mine, where many fossils remain buried. Overall, this discovery highlights the importance of trace fossils in understanding dinosaur history. These finds could lead to more discoveries in the future as researchers continue to examine rocks in the area.