Ancient Ecosystem Found In Italy Predates Dinosaurs
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Claudia Steffensen and her husband were hiking in Lombardy, Italy, in 2023 when she stepped on what appeared to be a block of cement. A closer examination revealed curvy lines that looked like footprints.
"I put my foot on a rock, which struck me as odd as it seemed more like a slab of cement. I then noticed these strange circular designs with wavy lines," Steffensen told The Guardian. "I took a closer look and realized they were footprints."
Steffensen shared a photo of the rock with a friend who is a nature photographer. She, in turn, sent it to Cristiano Dal Sasso, a paleontologist at Milan's Museum of Natural History. After talking to other experts, Dal Sasso determined the footprints belonged to a prehistoric reptile from the Permian period.
The Permian period lasted from 297 to 250 million years ago. It preceded the age of dinosaurs. Marked by intense global warming it ended in a mass extinction event. Over 90 percent of Earth's species were killed.
Since Steffensen discovered "Rock Zero," scientists have found more signs of the ancient ecosystem. This includes fossilized footprints from reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Some are so well-preserved that even details like fingernail marks are visible. The ecosystem also revealed preserved remains of plants, seeds, and even raindrop marks.
Ausonio Ronchi is a scientist at the University of Pavia in Italy. He credits the ecosystem's preservation to the area's past proximity to water. Ronchi believes the footprints likely formed on wet sand and mud at the edges of rivers and lakes. As the surfaces dried, they hardened enough to withstand returning water. Over time, new clay layers created a protective shield over the footprints.
Some of these fossils are now on display at Milan's Natural History Museum. Scientists plan to continue investigating the site to learn more about the ancient ecosystem.
Resources: Livescience.com, Theguardian.com, NYpost.com
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30 Comments
lovewajobygo3 monthsthat's really cool
baileelee5 monthsI love this
oliviab05065 monthswow i love it- baileelee5 monthsI never knew about it i love It so much
miamiii1223335 monthsthat's prettyyy cool...
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tiger1299455 monthsI never knew about this
sarthak5 monthsThat's sad but really cool
rutykezymita5 monthsWOW I never new that water could break rocks!!
danusiyaa5 monthsIs it water breaking clay/sand? And it hardened into rock overtime?
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