Ancient inhabitants of what is now eastern Brazil appear to have been inspired by fossilized dinosaur tracks, creating petroglyphs alongside the prehistoric impressions. This fascinating discovery reveals a connection between early humans and the traces left by giants tens of millions of years prior.
The dinosaur tracks, belonging to theropods, sauropods, and iguanodontians, are located on three rock outcrops in the Brazilian state of Paraíba. Alongside these tracks are petroglyphs, primarily circular patterns, with some remarkably resembling the tridactyl (three-toed) dinosaur footprints. The research documenting these petroglyphs and trackways was recently published in Scientific Reports.
While neither the trackways nor the petroglyphs have been directly dated, human burials discovered at nearby sites, dating back as far as 10,000 years ago, provide a potential timeframe. One of these sites, Pedra do Alexandre, contains burials ranging from 9,400 to 2,620 years old, leaving a broad period during which the petroglyphs could have been carved. The placement and design of the petroglyphs, however, strongly suggest they were inspired by the considerably older dinosaur footprints.
Diverse Dinosaur Species Represented
The trackways represent a diverse group of dinosaurs. Theropods, including the famous T. rex and all modern birds, were bipedal, often carnivorous creatures. Sauropods were massive, herbivorous quadrupeds, easily identified by their long necks and immense size. Iguanodontians, a bipedal, herbivorous group, encompassed the thumb-spiked Iguanodon and the duck-billed hadrosaurs.
Ancient Interactions with Fossil Material
Brazil was once teeming with ancient life, including dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and other prehistoric reptiles. Even today, fossil smuggling remains a significant issue in the country. The proximity of the petroglyphs to the dinosaur footprints reveals an “active engagement with the fossil material,” according to the research team. This suggests the tracks held meaning for the ancient community and were integrated into their knowledge. Notably, the petroglyphs do not overlap or damage the footprints, indicating a deliberate respect for the ancient tracks.
Dating the Petroglyphs and Understanding Their Significance
Absolute dating of the petroglyphs using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy could help pinpoint their creation, potentially revealing whether they were made over centuries by different groups. The researchers also cite petroglyphs from the nearby Junco archaeological site, featuring geometric figures resembling stars, wheels, flowers, and possibly even buildings. Variations in style suggest multiple creators were responsible for these markings. Unfortunately, some figures and trackways at both sites have suffered damage from rock flaking.
Possible Misinterpretation as Rhea Footprints
Given the ancient South Americans’ lack of modern paleontological knowledge, the researchers suggest they might have mistaken the dinosaur trackways for those of rheas. Rheas are modern theropod dinosaurs and the largest birds in Brazil, native to the same region as the paleontological site. While this is a possibility, the permanence of the dinosaur tracks, unlike the fleeting impressions left by rheas, likely contributed to their significance for the ancient community, as evidenced by the artwork created alongside them.
Conclusion
The discovery of these petroglyphs alongside dinosaur footprints offers a unique glimpse into the minds of ancient humans and their interactions with the prehistoric world. Further research, including dating the petroglyphs, could provide more insights into the cultural significance of these ancient markings and the people who created them. This research highlights the enduring fascination with these prehistoric giants and the ways in which they have captured human imagination across millennia.
