This is the oldest dinosaur footprint ever found in Thailand and Asia.
The Ministry of Mineral Resources of Thailand has made a groundbreaking discovery regarding prehistoric animal footprints in the border area between Phetchabun and Khon Kaen, as reported by Nation Thailand on January 14, 2024.
These footprints are estimated to be over 225 million years old, making them the oldest dinosaur footprints ever found in Thailand and Asia.
The footprints were discovered by a team of paleontologists from the Department of Mineral Resources (under the Ministry of Mineral Resources of Thailand) during a survey of the area in January 2024.
The Ministry of Mineral Resources of Thailand stated on its official Facebook page that the footprints belong to five different species.
Reconstructed image of a Theropod dinosaur.
Among these are “Theropods” (bipedal meat-eating dinosaurs), “Sauropods” (long-necked dinosaurs), and “Ornithopods” (a large group of herbivorous animals that includes duck-billed dinosaurs).
The footprints were found in a layer of mudstone dating back to the late Triassic period (252-201 million years ago). They are very well preserved, revealing details such as toes, claws, and the soles of the dinosaurs’ feet.
During this late Triassic period, all continents on Earth were merged into a single supercontinent known as Pangaea. The discovery of these footprints will provide new insights into the species of dinosaurs that once inhabited Southeast Asia during this time.
Dinosaur footprints. (Photo: Nation Thailand).
The discovery of these footprints is significant as it offers new insights into the diversity and ecosystem of dinosaurs in Thailand during the late Triassic period. The footprints also help fill gaps in scientists’ understanding of the evolutionary processes of dinosaurs in Asia.
The Ministry of Mineral Resources of Thailand plans to conduct further research on these footprints to determine the specific dinosaur species that created them. The footprints will also be protected and preserved for future generations.
The discovery of dinosaur footprints represents a major scientific breakthrough that could change our understanding of the history of life on Earth.
The Ministry of Mineral Resources of Thailand stated that these footprints provide a glimpse into a world that existed millions of years ago when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.
Currently, the Thai government will work with local agencies to conduct surveys and provide more detailed documentation. They must act quickly before the rainy season arrives, which could wash away and destroy any remaining traces.
These findings will significantly contribute to academic research in the fields of biology and geology.
