In November 2025, a hiker exploring the rock formations at Dujiangyan in Sichuan Province on the Chinese mainland stumbled upon more than 20 well-preserved footprints dating back roughly 200 million years. The discovery marks the first time dinosaur tracks have been recorded in Dujiangyan and offers fresh clues to early dinosaur evolution.
Paleontologists from China University of Geosciences (Beijing), led by Associate Professor Xing Lida, confirmed the tracks’ authenticity after examining the site last week. Among the prints are theropod footprints of varying sizes—evidence of meat-eating dinosaurs roaming the region—and chirotherian-type tracks, whose hand-like shape points to early archosaur reptiles.
“What makes this site particularly valuable is that at least four sedimentary layers preserve footprints,” Xing explained, “suggesting these creatures frequented the area for an extended period.” This multi-layer record is rare and helps build a timeline of animal activity across different epochs.
Complementing the tracks, researchers discovered fragments of petrified wood—fallen logs and upright stumps preserved in place—painting a richer picture of the local ecosystem more than 200 million years ago. The combination of footprints and plant fossils provides a more comprehensive snapshot of ancient landscapes.
Jiang Shan, a researcher at the Zigong Dinosaur Museum in Sichuan, noted that this material could reshape our understanding of early dinosaur distribution and behavior on the Chinese mainland. “These tracks bridge gaps in the fossil record, revealing how early dinosaurs and their reptile relatives adapted to changing environments,” Jiang said.
As paleontology enthusiasts and young researchers around the world follow this development, the Dujiangyan site is poised to become a new hotspot for studying the dawn of the Jurassic era. Ongoing excavations and advanced 3D scanning techniques are expected to uncover further details in the coming months.
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Dinosaur footprints from about 200 million years ago found in China
cgtn.com
