Youngest Dinosaur Tracks in Southern Africa Discovered on South African Coast
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Scientists have discovered approximately 132-million-year-old dinosaur footprints on a remote South African coastline. The tracks, made by a mix of meat-eating and plant-eating dinosaurs, are the youngest known in southern Africa and represent a rare Cretaceous-period record from the region. The site is partially submerged at high tide, highlighting the dynamic nature of fossil preservation.
Facts First
- Discovery of 132-million-year-old dinosaur tracks on a South African coastline
- Tracks are the youngest known in southern Africa, 50 million years younger than previous records
- Made by a mix of dinosaurs including theropods, possible ornithopods, and possible sauropods
- Second known set of Cretaceous dinosaur tracks in South Africa and the second in the Western Cape
- Site is partially submerged at high tide, located in the modern intertidal zone
What Happened
In early 2025, a research team exploring a small rock outcrop on the Western Cape coast of South Africa identified more than two dozen possible dinosaur footprints. The outcrop, part of the Brenton Formation from the early Cretaceous Period, measures no more than 40 meters long and five meters wide. Researchers estimate the newly discovered tracks are approximately 132 million years old. The site is partially submerged at high tide. Some tracks are preserved on flat rock surfaces, while others are visible in cross section within cliffs up to five meters high.
Why this Matters to You
This discovery expands the known timeline of dinosaurs in southern Africa, bringing their story closer to the present by 50 million years. For anyone interested in natural history, it provides a tangible, local connection to a world that existed 132 million years ago. The fact that the tracks are in the intertidal zone and were discovered by researchers actively exploring the coast suggests there may be more such sites waiting to be found, which could lead to new public exhibits or educational resources.
What's Next
The research team, including members from the African Centre for Coastal Palaeoscience (ACCP) at Nelson Mandela University, will likely conduct further study to confirm the identity of the track-makers. The site's location in the intertidal zone means it is subject to erosion from daily tides, which could make preservation efforts a priority. This discovery may prompt more focused searches along the Western Cape coast for other Cretaceous-period fossils, potentially filling significant gaps in the regional paleontological record.