In an incredible twist of fate, the recent devastating floods in Texas led to a prehistoric discovery. Aided by the massive floodwaters that swept through the region, volunteers engaged in cleanup efforts stumbled upon an ancient treasure trove along Sandy Creek in Travis County. A volunteer helping local residents clear debris uncovered 15 large dinosaur footprints etched intricately in a crisscross pattern across the rocky creek bed, according to ABC News.
Matthew Brown, a paleontologist at the University of Texas Austin, elaborated that these remarkable footprints were left by large carnivorous dinosaurs akin to Acrocanthosaurus, a massive bipedal predator that spanned approximately 11 meters in length. Brown indicated these footprints are believed to be between 110 and 115 million years old.
Brown also pointed out that at least 15 footprints have been identified, with some outlines previously undocumented. "These tracks are potentially connected to a known dinosaur trackway in Leander," he said. The dimensions suggest a measurement of approximately 18-20 inches in length, dating back to a similar era of 110-115 million years. Dinosaur tracks are not uncommon in Central Texas; often, they are discovered unexpectedly in residential backyards. Many of these tracks become visible in waterways like Sandy Creek, which excavate through the limestone of the Glen Rose Formation—a rock layer dating back around 110 million years.
In proximity to these carnivorous dinosaur prints, the footprints of substantial herbivorous sauropods, such as the Paluxysaurus, were also found. Paluxysaurus holds special significance in Texas as the official state dinosaur. The discovery was secured on a private property and, at the landowner's request, the exact location remains confidential.
Severe floods that struck Texas Hill Country in early July wreaked havoc, notably in Kerr County, where floodwaters caused loss of life, including 36 children at Camp Mystic. “The floods might have been catastrophic, but they also unveiled a chapter from Earth's deep past,” said County Judge Travis Brown to CNN.
Plans are underway to return to the Sandy Creek site for comprehensive documentation, detailed mapping, and 3D imaging of the footprints. Brown explained to Kompas that these investigations aim to decipher whether the tracks represent the synchronized movement of several dinosaurs or solitary strolls by individual dinosaurs.
Local authorities urge anyone who might find additional tracks to report them to the University of Texas paleontology department. The initiative seeks to safeguard these natural artifacts against potential damage during ongoing flood recovery operations. “We have been coordinating with environmental monitoring firms to ensure sensitive sites are not disturbed by cleanup vehicles,” emphasized Brown.
Photographs taken by local resident Carl Stover reveal that some footprints are slightly larger than a human foot and are deeply embedded in the white limestone bedrock of Sandy Creek. During the chaos of the recent flood, many of these tracks were uncovered from beneath dense brush and soil flushed away by the rising water levels, which peaked at six meters.
Assessing the impact of the floods, Brown, alongside fellow paleontologist Kenneth Bader, visited the site to advise state and county personnel on preserving these newly found treasures amid disaster-response activities. Despite the ongoing challenges of flood recovery, the unearthing of these prehistoric tracks remains a source of excitement and insight for both scientists and Texas residents alike.
The preparation of this article relied on a news-analysis system.