ENTRE News – Thailand’s Department of Mineral Resources revealed the discovery of footprints of prehistoric animals, dinosaurs, which are estimated to be 225 million years old. The footprints were found at the Tat Yai waterfall between the border of Nam Nao district in Phetchabun and Phu Pha Man district in Khon Kaen. The tracks of the dinosaurs are very well preserved, showing details such as the dinosaur’s toes, claws, and soles.
In a statement on its official Facebook page, Thailand’s Department of Mineral Resources stated that the footprints came from five different species. Namely, ‘theropods’ (two-legged, meat-eating dinosaurs), ‘sauropods’ (long-necked dinosaurs), and ‘ornithopods’ (a group of large herbivores that included duck-billed hadrosaurs).
“In this latest survey, five additional tracks were discovered. These consisted of two sauropod dinosaur tracks, two small animal tracks, and one creeping animal track from the Archosaur group,” wrote Thailand’s Department of Mineral Resources on its official Facebook page, citing Mashable, Monday ( 3/25).
“These paths show the diversity of animals that lived in the area at that time,” the statement continued.
According to this institute, the traces come from the late Triassic period (252-201 million years ago). At that time, the continents on Earth were combined into one supercontinent or called Pangaea. Currently, the authorities will work with local institutions to carry out more detailed exploration and documentation before the rainy season arrives. Because the rainy season could potentially wash away and destroy any remaining signs.
“However, because the area is a tributary of a river which is flooded during the rainy season, it is at risk of natural damage,” wrote Thailand’s Department of Mineral Resources.
“Therefore, it is necessary to accelerate detailed surveys and research to obtain important academic information in the fields of paleontology, geology, including ancient animal biodiversity,” added the statement.
Further research is being carried out in plans to determine the species that produced the footprints and provide new insight into the dinosaur species that roamed Southeast Asia during this time.
Apart from these dinosaur tracks, the Thai Department of Mineral Resources also noted that there were several tracks found from the Early Cretaceous Period (145-100.5 million years ago) or about 100 million years younger than these dinosaur tracks.
Experts have begun to uncover the wealth of ancient animal fossils in Thailand in recent years. These include the extinct alligator and the 8 meter long predatory Siamraptor. These traces include traces in the Phra Wihan Formation and Phu Phan FOR4D Formation.