Dinosaur footprints unearthed at Shandong's Jishan Mountain

In the foothills of Jishan Mountain in Linshu county – located in Linyi city in East China's Shandong province – a provincial geological park has unveiled a treasure trove of dinosaur footprints, creating a fascinating must-see destination for science enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.

The geological park – known for its rich deposits of dinosaur footprint fossils, Danxia landforms and minerals – offers a unique blend of scientific exploration, educational opportunities, leisure activities and adventurous experiences.

Visitors can marvel at the abundance of dinosaur footprints on layers of purple-red, yellow mudstone and pink sandstone.

The footprints, densely scattered and displaying diverse shapes, belong to various dinosaur species – including large sauropods, medium-sized quadrupeds, theropods and ornithopods.

Wonderful dinosaur footprints are to be found at Shandong's Jishan Mountain. [Photo provided by Zhang Yun for chinadaily.com.cn]

Archaeological research suggests that these footprints provide crucial insights into the evolution and migration patterns of dinosaurs during the early Cretaceous period.

Most notably, the site has also yielded precious footprints of charming prehistoric creatures such as the parrot-beaked dinosaur, filling a significant gap in the fossil records for this particular stratum.

Archaeologists estimate that about 100 million years ago, in the late Cretaceous period, all of Linshu county, particularly Jishan Mountain, served as a thriving habitat for dinosaurs.

Over time, the footprints were buried under layers of sediment, only to be unearthed through geological processes like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, revealing a Jurassic-era spectacle at Jishan Mountain in Linshu. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)