Ancient Footprints Unveiled
Science has it that paleontologists have recently established that there are more than 260 dinosaur footprints in Brazil and Cameroon. They are footprints of dinosaurs discovered from more than 5700 kilometers apart and these footprints dated 120 million years ago when South America and Africa were part of the Gondwana supercontinent.
Remarkable Similarity in Footprints
These footprints are preserved as traces in the now solidified mud and silt deposits by river and lake margins and the footprints are of a very similar age, taphonomy and morphology. This is evidence that supports the theory that the footprints were made by dinosaurs that moved across a land bridge that was once connecting the two continents.
The Geological Connection
This was the areas of joining of the continents and this is the reason why many animals migrated over the land bridge connecting northeastern Brazil and the coast of Cameroon, the region called the elbow of Gondwana. The connective geological link was especially significant to the movements of dinosaurs and other forms of prehistoric life.
Ecosystems of the Past
It is observed from the study that inhabitants of the Borborema region of Brazil and the Koum Basin of Cameroon inhabited complex riverine and lacustrine ecosystems. Analyzing the fossil pollen and sediment, biomes that supported flora for the dinosaurs themselves and consequently the dinosaurs’ predators are considered.
Celebration to a Legendary Paleontologist
The study is published in the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, in memory of Martin Lockley. Lockley is best for his survey work and due to his findings on the tracks of dinosaurs helped a lot in the understanding of the earth and especially these ancient creatures.
Insights into Continental Drift
These discoveries are important for understanding more about the formation of earth as well as the geological events that led to its formation. Area of focus For this study, rifting and drifting play a significant positions in changing the Earth’s continued and continents to evolve, thereby creating South Atlantic and leading to the formation of the South American and African continents.