Paleontologists uncovered the world’s largest grouping of dinosaur footprints in Bolivia—over 16,000 impressions, situated across an area of 7500 m². The Carreras Pampa site in Torotoro National Park turned out not to be a random travel spot, but a sort of ancient “highway” where dinosaurs migrated alongside a lake shore.
Researchers utilized drones, 3D scanning, and an unusual technique involving yarn to reconstruct movement paths on overlapping tracks. Ultimately, they managed to untangle 1321 track chains and isolate 11 gait types—from slow movement through mud to running with turns and stops.
The analysis showed that predatory theropods moved in organized flows along the bank in two directions—northwest and southeast. Scientists also recorded a 130-meter trail of a swimming dinosaur—the longest confirmed evidence of such behavior—as well as numerous grooves from dragging tails.
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