A set of matching dinosaur footprints have been discovered on opposite sides of the world, shedding light on life on Earth approximately 120 million years ago. More than 260 nearly identical footprints were found in Brazil and Cameroon, countries separated by 3,700 miles.
The footprints are believed to have been left by three-toed theropod dinosaurs, possibly sauropods or ornithischians. The findings suggest that Brazil and Cameroon were once connected as part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, which broke off from the larger landmass of Pangea.
Gondwana comprised South America, Africa, Arabia, Madagascar, India, Australia, and Antarctica, providing a vast land for dinosaurs to inhabit. The recent discovery of matching footprints supports the theory that these countries were once joined before the separation of Africa and South America around 140 million years ago due to tectonic plate movements.
The footprints, found in mud and silt along ancient rivers and lakes, exhibit striking similarities in age, geological context, and shape. The geological connection between Africa and South America was most pronounced in northeastern Brazil, adjacent to the current coast of Cameroon along the Gulf of Guinea.
Animals on either side of this narrow stretch could have traversed the land bridge, highlighting the potential for intercontinental movement. The separation of Africa and South America led to the formation of the South Atlantic Ocean over millions of years.
This remarkable discovery underscores the interconnectedness of continents in Earth's distant past and provides valuable insights into the distribution and movement of prehistoric creatures across ancient landmasses.
