Parque Cretácico
Chuquisaca
Parque Cretácico, located near Sucre in Bolivia's Chuquisaca Department, is a remarkable paleontological park centered around Cal Orck'o, the world's largest dinosaur tracksite. This site features over 12,000 individual dinosaur footprints preserved on a 300-foot-high vertical limestone wall formed by tectonic uplift. The footprints date back approximately 68 million years to the Late Cretaceous period, representing diverse dinosaur groups including theropods, ornithopods, ankylosaurs, and sauropods. The limestone bed was originally a lakeshore where dinosaurs left deep impressions in soft sediment, later preserved by alternating wet and dry conditions. Parque Cretácico offers visitors educational guided tours and close-up views of these invaluable trace fossils, highlighting evidence of dinosaur social behavior such as parallel trackways of juvenile ankylosaurs. Declared a National Monument, the park combines scientific significance with accessible visitor experiences, making it a unique destination for those interested in Earth's prehistoric past.
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Consejo: The best time to visit Parque Cretácico is during the dry season to ensure clear views of the fossil wall. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance through the official website or onsite to avoid queues. Guided tours provide valuable insights and are advised for a fuller experience. Discounts may be available for students and groups. Visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sun protection as much of the park is outdoors.
Datos interesantes
- •Cal Orck'o contains over 12,000 individual dinosaur footprints across 465 trackways, the largest such concentration worldwide.
- •The fossil wall is tilted nearly vertical due to tectonic uplift, standing approximately 300 feet high.
- •Parallel trackways of juvenile ankylosaurs provide rare evidence of possible social behavior in dinosaurs.
- •The site preserves nine distinct morphotypes of dinosaur tracks including theropods, ornithopods, ankylosaurs, and sauropods.
- •The limestone bed was part of a shallow freshwater lake environment about 68 million years ago.
Historia
Cal Orck'o was discovered in 1994 during limestone quarrying operations by FANCESA.
Detailed mapping from 1998 to 2015 documented over 12,000 dinosaur tracks, confirming its status as the world's largest tracksite.
The site dates to the Middle Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous, about 68 million years ago.
Tectonic activity tilted the originally horizontal lakebed to a near-vertical position, creating the dramatic fossil wall visible today.
In 1998, the area was declared a National Monument and incorporated into the FANCESA Paleontological Reserve to protect its scientific and cultural value.
Guía del lugar
Dinosaur Track WallLate Cretaceous (approx. 68 million years ago)
The nearly vertical limestone wall displays thousands of dinosaur footprints from multiple species, offering an unparalleled view of prehistoric life and behaviors.
Visitor Center and Museum
The on-site museum provides educational exhibits about the geology, paleontology, and history of Cal Orck'o, including detailed information about the dinosaur species represented by the tracks.
Contacto
Teléfono: 4 6457392