fossilology and archaeology have aligned in northeast Brazil , as a “ remarkable ” site featuringdinosaur footprintsalongside ancient careen carving has been bring out .
The Serrote do Letreiro Site , in the Sousa municipality , Paraíba State , is home to three main sway outcrops , where the fossilised footprints of theropod , sauropod , and iguanodontian dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous ( 145 to 100.5 million years ago ) have been discovered . Not only that , but the country is also habitation topetroglyphs – a type of stone art made by directly pecking at the rock ’s aerofoil – make by mankind in the pre - compound menstruum .
In a new subject field , researchers describe this “ invaluable ” intercept of palaeontological and archeologic elements , the the likes of of which have never been witness in such cheeseparing proximity .
Petroglyphs and dinosaur tracks at Outcrop 1. Theropod footprints are in white and engravings are in orange.Image credit: Troiano et al., Scientific Reports, 2024 (CC BY 4.0)
Dinosaur tracks and rock art have been find in association before – in Australia , Poland , andUtah , for model – but “ in none of these instance do the petroglyphs exhibit such a tight - rumple relationship with the footprints as in Serrote do Letreiro , ” the investigator write in their work .
“ It is authentic that the engravers acknowledged the footprints and intentionally executed the petroglyph around them , establish a symbolic connection between human graphical expression and the fossil book . ”
The first mention of dinosaur footprint from the realm day of the month back to the former 20th century and paleontological aspects of the internet site have been learn several times in the years since . The petroglyphs , however , have received much less attention , having never been comprehensively analyzed or reckon in combining with the footprints .
Theropod footprints (A-F) in close association with petroglyphs (D and F).Image credit: Troiano et al., Scientific Reports, 2024 (CC BY 4.0)
To reclaim this , the team surveyed the site , identify three large rock outcrop where both dinosaur step and petroglyphs were observed . At the first outcrop , an additional 22 symbols were expose , along with the gamy concentration oftheropod – the clade to whichT. rexbelongs – tracks .
The second hold just two petroglyph , although there appears to have once been a much higher number that have since become illegible . At the third and final rock outcrop , 30 carvings were identified , as well as extensive pecking mark and track left mostly bysauropoddinosaurs .
The petroglyph , the researchers observe , are mostly circular sport radial argument and other theme . While their substance is not obvious , they can be interpreted as geometric sort , and digest a striking resemblance to rock sculpture found elsewhere in Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte . Some renowned designs put up out , include rectangular gridiron engravings and others resemble stars and serpent .
Petroglyphs from Outcrop 3.Image credit: Troiano et al., Scientific Reports, 2024 (CC BY 4.0)
The variation in style suggests multiple mortal were behind the rock art . We may not know who they were , but we do know that they took great care when carving alongside the dinosaur step .
“ In none of the cases was it see that the founding of a petroglyph resulted in wrong to the exist step , suggesting thoughtfulness by the Jehovah , ” the squad explain .
Serrote do Letreiro ’s “ great juxtaposition ” of palaeontology and archeology , according to the researchers , indicates that humans in pre - compound Brazil employ with the dodo disk , actively incorporating it into their graphical look and using it help to establish their cultural identity .
As such , the study authors argue for its conservation , postulate “ immediate extenuation standard to foreclose further damage ” , so that we can continue to appreciate this unique site for years to come in .
The study is published inScientific Reports .
