Urgent Discovery: 20,000 Dinosaur Footprints Found Near 2026 Olympics

BREAKING: A staggering 20,000 dinosaur footprints have been uncovered in Stelvio National Park, just miles from the venues for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics. This remarkable discovery, made in the central Alps of northern Italy, dates back 210 million years to the Triassic period, and is already being hailed as one of the most significant fossil finds in the world.

The Milan Natural History Museum (MNHM) reported that the footprints were discovered in Fraele Valley, between Livigno and Bormio, slated to host Olympic events from February 6 to 22, 2026. “This represents one of the most important deposits of Triassic trace fossils globally,” the MNHM stated, underscoring the find’s extraordinary significance.

Experts from the MNHM revealed that the tracks, which span hundreds of meters on nearly vertical dolomite walls, are exceptionally well-preserved, showcasing distinct traces of toes and claws. “The footprints were imprinted on tidal flats at the end of the Triassic,” MNHM added, highlighting their unique geological context.

Located less than a mile from where the men’s alpine skiing events will occur, the site covers an area of about three miles and contains tracks from long-necked bipedal herbivores, some measuring up to 33 feet in length and weighing four tons. According to MNHM paleontologist Cristiano Dal Sasso, “There are very obvious traces of individuals that have walked at a slow, calm, quiet rhythmic pace, without running.”

The sheer quantity of footprints is astonishing. Dal Sasso noted, “The huge surprise was not just in discovering the footprints, but in uncovering such a vast quantity… tens of thousands of prints up there.”

The MNHM explained that the remote area, inaccessible by trails, required the use of drones and remote sensing technologies for study. “It is the largest site in the Alps and one of the richest in the world,” the museum emphasized, marking it as a treasure for geologists and paleontologists for decades to come.

Regional governor, Attilio Fontana, dubbed the discovery the “gift of the Olympics,” and expressed plans to eventually open the site to the public, allowing visitors to experience this awe-inspiring glimpse into the past.

As excitement builds for the Winter Games, this groundbreaking fossil find adds a unique layer of intrigue and wonder to the event. Authorities are now focused on ensuring the area is studied thoroughly while considering public access in the future.

Stay tuned as we bring you more updates on this incredible discovery and its implications for both science and the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics.