In a stunning paleontological find, researchers have uncovered an immense collection of dinosaur footprints in the Italian Alps, within a region set to host the 2026 Winter Olympics. The discovery, announced on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, offers an unprecedented window into the synchronized movements of prehistoric herds.
A Historic Discovery in Stelvio National Park
The tracks, numbering in the thousands, were found in the Stelvio National Park, located between the towns of Bormio and Livigno. Attilio Fontana, the head of Italy's Lombardy region, declared the site "one of the largest collections in all of Europe, in the whole world." The footprints extend for hundreds of metres across an almost vertical rocky slope, a dramatic shift from their original formation on ancient tidal flats.
The discovery was first made in September by nature photographer Elio Della Ferrera. Recognizing the significance of the imprints, some measuring up to 40 centimetres (16 inches) in diameter, he alerted paleontologist Cristiano Dal Sasso from Milan’s Natural History Museum. Dal Sasso then assembled a team of Italian experts to study the site in detail.
Decoding 200-Million-Year-Old Behavior
The tracks are preserved in Upper Triassic dolomitic rocks, dating back approximately 210 million years. At that time, the area was part of a vast, tropical tidal flat surrounding the prehistoric Tethys Ocean, a far cry from today's Alpine landscape.
The scientific value of the find is immense. Cristiano Dal Sasso described it as "an immense scientific heritage." The collection is not just a series of isolated prints; it captures a narrative of dinosaur life. Researchers have identified clear evidence of herds moving together. "The parallel walks are clear evidence of herds moving in synchrony," Dal Sasso explained. The site also shows traces of more complex social behaviors, including what appear to be groups of animals gathered in a circle, possibly for defensive purposes.
Identifying the Prehistoric Track-Makers
Most of the well-preserved footprints are elongated, show traces of at least four toes, and were made by bipeds. The experts believe the primary track-makers were prosauropods—long-necked, herbivorous dinosaurs that are considered the ancestors of giant Jurassic sauropods like Brontosaurus. Adult prosauropods could reach lengths of up to 10 metres.
The press release from the region also indicated that the site may contain tracks from predatory dinosaurs and archosaurs, the ancient ancestors of modern crocodiles. This diversity suggests a rich and dynamic ecosystem existed in the area during the Late Triassic period.
Currently covered by snow and located off the beaten path, the site is protected within the national park. The discovery adds a profound layer of deep-time history to a region already in the global spotlight as it prepares for the upcoming Winter Games, reminding us that long before skiers and snowboarders, dinosaurs once roamed these slopes.
