The discovery of over 260 dinosaur footprints in South America and Africa provides compelling evidence of the continents’ prehistoric connection. These trace fossils, dating back approximately 120 million years, offer a glimpse into a time when dinosaurs roamed freely across landmasses now separated by vast oceans.
The footprints, discovered in Brazil and Cameroon, were formed in the mud and silt of ancient riverbanks and lakeshores. Most were made by theropods, a group of bipedal, three-toed carnivorous dinosaurs, which includes iconic species like Tyrannosaurus rex and Allosaurus. The collection also includes prints from sauropods, massive herbivores like Brontosaurus, and ornithischian dinosaurs, known for their bird-like hip structure.
The geographical locations of these footprints are significant. Brazil and Cameroon, now separated by over 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers) of Atlantic Ocean, were once part of the supercontinent Gondwana. The Brazilian tracks, found in the Sousa Basin, align perfectly with the African coastline along the Gulf of Guinea, highlighting the continents’ past connection. While the track sites are now over 3,700 miles (6,000 km) apart, they demonstrate that dinosaur populations moved freely between these landmasses when they were joined.
“One of the youngest and narrowest geological connections between Africa and South America was the elbow of northeastern Brazil nestled against what is now the coast of Cameroon along the Gulf of Guinea,” explained Louis Jacobs, a paleontologist at Southern Methodist University and lead author of the study, in a Southern Methodist University release. “The two continents were continuous along that narrow stretch, so that animals on either side of that connection could potentially move across it.” The research was published by the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science.
Trace fossils like these footprints offer unique insights into dinosaur behavior and ecology, providing information beyond what fossilized bones can reveal. They encompass a range of evidence, including footprints, scat (fossilized feces), nests, and other traces of dinosaur interaction with their environment. For instance, in 2021, researchers used footprint analysis to estimate a dinosaur’s speed at nearly 28 miles per hour, comparable to some of the fastest human runners.
These footprints serve as a remarkable testament to Earth’s dynamic history, showcasing a time when continents were connected and dinosaurs thrived across vast, interconnected landscapes. They underscore the power of trace fossils in revealing the secrets of ancient life and the ever-changing nature of our planet.
This discovery reinforces the importance of paleontological research in understanding the history of life on Earth and the ongoing processes that shape our world. The footprints serve as a tangible link to a distant past, reminding us of the interconnectedness of continents and the fascinating creatures that once roamed the Earth.
