Australia’s oldest dinosaur fossil has been identified more than 60 years after a Brisbane teenager discovered it while exploring a sandstone quarry. The fossil, an 18.5 cm footprint, was found in Albion, Brisbane’s inner south, by Bruce Runnegar in 1958 during a search for plant fossils.
University of Queensland palaeontologist Anthony Romilio has confirmed the footprint belongs to a prosauropod, a small dinosaur from the early Late Triassic period, approximately 230 million years ago. This discovery not only marks the oldest known dinosaur fossil in Australia but also positions it among the oldest in the world.
Unveiling a Hidden Treasure
Dr. Romilio emphasized the significance of the find, stating, “It shows how globally significant discoveries can remain hidden in plain sight.” The sandstone from Petrie’s Quarry, where the fossil was found, was historically used for constructing buildings like Brisbane’s General Post Office. It was a popular site for those seeking plant fossils from the Triassic period.
Bruce Runnegar, the teenager who found the fossil, later pursued a career in palaeontology. Decades after his initial discovery, he contacted Dr. Romilio upon learning about his innovative use of photographic and 3D technology to study dinosaur footprints. “When I saw Dr. Romilio’s ability to reconstruct, analyse and map dinosaur footprints, I decided to reach out to have the fossil formally documented,” Professor Runnegar explained.
Scientific Breakthroughs and Historical Context
The identification of the footprint as belonging to a prosauropod was made possible through comparisons with other fossilized footprints and skeletal remains from around the world. Dr. Romilio noted, “It’s likely the dinosaur was walking through or alongside a waterway when it left the footprint, before it was then preserved in sandstone.”
Prior to this discovery, the oldest known dinosaur fossils in Australia were footprints found in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, dating back around 215 million years. The prosauropod, a primitive relative of later long-necked dinosaurs, stood roughly 75 cm to 80 cm tall at the hip and weighed about 140 kg.
“More than 60 years after we found it, it’s extraordinary to see it recognised as Australia’s oldest dinosaur fossil,” Professor Runnegar said.
Implications for Palaeontology
The identification of this ancient fossil not only reshapes the timeline of dinosaur presence in Australia but also enhances our understanding of their early evolution and migration patterns. The fossil, now housed at the Queensland Museum, will be available for ongoing research, offering new opportunities for scientific exploration.
This development follows a series of significant palaeontological discoveries in Australia, underscoring the continent’s rich prehistoric past. As researchers continue to unearth and study these ancient relics, the story of life on Earth becomes increasingly vivid and complex.
Meanwhile, the use of advanced technology in palaeontology, as demonstrated by Dr. Romilio’s work, is revolutionizing the field, allowing scientists to delve deeper into the mysteries of prehistoric life.
As Australia continues to uncover its ancient history, the implications for our understanding of dinosaurs and their ecosystems are profound. The fossil’s recognition not only celebrates a remarkable scientific achievement but also highlights the enduring importance of curiosity and exploration in uncovering the secrets of our planet’s past.
