On January 12, Fujian released a major archaeological discovery. A large-scale late Cretaceous dinosaur footprint group was found in Shanghang County, Longyan City, Fujian Province, about 80 million years ago, and more than 240 dinosaur footprints have been cleared, which is not only the first time that dinosaur activity records have been found in Fujian Province, but also the largest and most diverse Late Cretaceous dinosaur footprint group found in China so far.
According to preliminary investigation, the fossil production area is about 1600 square meters, and more than 240 dinosaur footprints have been cleared, including plant-eating sauropods, large birdfoots, small birdfoots, carnivorous large three-toed theropods, two-toed dinosaurs, small theropods, etc. At least 8 species, the size of these footprints ranges from 8 cm to 55 cm, of which a variety of dinosaur footprints are well preserved and clearly imprinted. At the same time, the stratigraphic profile also preserves a wealth of geological relics such as wave marks, insect traces, mud cracks, and microorganisms, showing the scenes of dinosaurs moving on the lakeside.
According to experts, this discovery is of landmark significance for the study of dinosaur fossils in Fujian Province, and is of great significance to the study of the paleoenvironment, paleogeography and paleoecology of the late Cretaceous period in western Fujian, which is about 80 million years old. At the same time, this discovery is also of great significance for the distribution and diversity of dinosaur fauna in the late Cretaceous period around the world.
It is understood that the preservation of dinosaur fossils requires continuous continental sedimentary rocks. The eastern part of Fujian Province is covered by a large amount of volcanic rock due to the movement of Yanshan Mountain, and only western Fujian and northern Fujian have a small number of Late Cretaceous red layers. Moreover, these red layers are scattered between a large number of fault zones in the Cretaceous southeastern China region, which are relatively scattered and fragmented, so it is very difficult to find dinosaur fossils.
However, archaeologists have found a large number of plant fossils and some bivalve fossils in the red layer basin of western Fujian, and the localization analysis proves that the ancient environment dinosaurs at that time can survive. According to relevant clues, on November 7, 2020, a joint expedition team formed by Fujian and China University of Geosciences found fossils of late Cretaceous dinosaur footprints in Longxiang Village, Lincheng Town, Shanghang County, Longyan City.
At present, the relevant departments of Fujian Province have launched a project to protect this dinosaur footprint group, while ensuring the smooth progress of relevant scientific expeditions, preventing open-air weathering and perceived damage. (CCTV reporter Wei Ming, Zheng Xujia)
(Edited by Wang Xiaohui)