Dinosaur Plateau
Lebap
Dinosaur Plateau, also known locally as Dinozawrlar platosy, is a remarkable natural site located on the slope of the Köýtendag mountains in Turkmenistan's Lebap Region. Spanning approximately 400 by 300 meters, this limestone slab contains around 2,500 well-preserved dinosaur footprints and 31 distinct trackways, making it the largest single-area concentration of such fossils globally. The footprints belong primarily to theropods and ornithopods, with some theropod trackways measuring up to 311 meters long, holding the world record for the longest theropod footprints from the Jurassic period. These tracks reveal dinosaurs up to 6 meters in length and provide invaluable insights into their locomotion and behavior. The plateau sits at an altitude of 1,500 meters within the Köýtendag Nature Reserve and Hojapil Sanctuary, near the village of Hojapil, whose name reflects a local legend associating the footprints with Alexander the Great's elephants. Scientific interest in the site dates back to the 1950s, with ongoing research by palaeontologists including Anatoly Bushmakin. Recognized for its geological and paleontological significance, Dinosaur Plateau was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2009, with efforts to secure full inscription underway. The site also contains rare humanlike footprints and bivalve fossil impressions, adding to its unique paleontological value.
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Consiglio: The best time to visit Dinosaur Plateau is during the spring and autumn months when weather conditions in the Köýtendag mountains are mild and comfortable for hiking. Visitors are advised to arrange guided tours through the Köýtendag Nature Reserve authorities to gain access and expert interpretation. Due to the site's protected status and delicate fossil preservation, it is recommended to avoid touching the footprints. Booking visits in advance is advisable, especially during peak tourist seasons. While entry fees and discounts may vary, tourists should inquire locally about any concessions available for students or groups.
Fatti interessanti
- •Dinosaur Plateau contains the longest known theropod dinosaur trackways in the world, with some extending over 300 meters.
- •The theropod footprints at the site represent some of the largest Jurassic dinosaur tracks ever discovered, indicating animals up to 6 meters long.
- •Local legend attributes the footprints to elephants from Alexander the Great's army, influencing the nearby village's name, Hojapil, meaning 'sacred elephants'.
- •Besides dinosaur footprints, the plateau also preserves rare humanlike footprints equivalent to a shoe size of 10.5.
- •The site was first scientifically reported in the 1950s and has been studied by palaeontologists from the USSR Academy of Sciences and Turkmen specialists.
- •Dinosaur Plateau is part of the Köýtendag Nature Reserve and Hojapil Sanctuary, emphasizing its ecological and geological protection.
Storia
The Dinosaur Plateau's footprints were formed during the late Oxfordian to early Kimmeridgian stages of the Jurassic period, when a shallow lagoon covered the area.
Dinosaurs walked on the soft sediment of this lagoon floor, which later solidified into limestone as the water receded.
Over millions of years, tectonic activity uplifted and tilted the slab, exposing the tracks through erosion by wind and water.
The local population has been aware of these footprints for centuries, inspiring legends such as the footprints belonging to Alexander the Great's elephants.
Scientific documentation began in the 1950s, followed by detailed studies by Soviet and Turkmen palaeontologists.
Since 2009, the site has been on the UNESCO Tentative List, with ongoing efforts to recognize its global significance.
Guida del luogo
Theropod TrackwaysLate Jurassic (Oxfordian-Kimmeridgian)
These trackways belong to large carnivorous dinosaurs known as theropods, with some trackways reaching lengths of over 300 meters, the longest known worldwide. The footprints indicate theropods up to 6 meters in length and provide evidence of their gait and movement patterns during the Jurassic period.
Ornithopod FootprintsLate Jurassic (Oxfordian-Kimmeridgian)
Five known trackways belong to ornithopods, herbivorous dinosaurs that coexisted with theropods. These footprints are less numerous and less studied but contribute to understanding the diversity of dinosaur fauna in the region.
Limestone Slab and Geological FormationFormed during Late Jurassic, exposed over millions of years
The limestone slab preserves the footprints formed in a shallow lagoon environment that later dried and solidified. Geological uplift and erosion exposed the slab at a high altitude within the Köýtendag mountains, making it accessible for study and tourism.
