A hiker in the northern Italian Alps recently made a remarkable discovery that has shed light on a prehistoric ecosystem dating back 280 million years. Claudia Steffensen, from Lovero, found well-preserved footprints of reptiles and amphibians in the Valtellina Orobie mountain range in Lombardy. The melting snow and ice, caused by the climate crisis, revealed these ancient traces.
Steffensen and her husband were hiking in the Ambria valley near the Swiss border when she noticed strange circular designs with wavy lines on a rock. Upon closer inspection, she realized that these were fossilized footprints. She took a photo and shared it with her friend Elio Della Ferrera, a nature photographer, who then contacted Cristiano Dal Sasso, a paleontologist at the museum of natural history in Milan.
Further investigations confirmed that the footprints belonged to prehistoric reptiles. Subsequent visits to the site uncovered hundreds of other fossilized footprints of various animals, including reptiles, amphibians, and insects. These traces, found at high altitudes, are believed to be from at least five different species.
The preservation of these footprints has revealed remarkable details, such as fingernail imprints and belly skin impressions. Additionally, fragments of plants, seeds, and raindrop imprints have been found in the area. This discovery provides valuable insights into the ecosystem of the Permian period, which ended with a mass extinction event due to a drastic rise in temperature.
Experts have highlighted the significance of this discovery in the context of climate change. Doriano Codega, president of the Valtellina Orobie nature park, emphasized that the fossils were found at high altitudes and were exceptionally well-preserved. The area’s geological activity, including landslides and rock detachments, played a crucial role in exposing these relics.
Some of the artifacts have been brought to Milan for display at the natural history museum. Ongoing research at the site is expected to provide further insights into the prehistoric ecosystem. Steffensen, whose find has been dubbed “Rock Zero,” expressed pride in contributing to scientific knowledge through her discovery.
The discovery of this prehistoric ecosystem in the Italian Alps serves as a poignant reminder of the Earth’s ancient history and the impact of climate change on uncovering such treasures. It highlights the importance of preserving natural environments and conducting further research to deepen our understanding of the planet’s past. As scientists continue to study these fossilized footprints, new revelations about the Permian period and its inhabitants are likely to emerge, enriching our knowledge of prehistoric life on Earth.