Dinosaurierfährten von Barkhausen, Prehistoric fossil tracks in Bad Essen, Germany
The Dinosaur Tracks of Barkhausen are fossilized footprints from several large dinosaurs of the Jurassic period, embedded in a natural rock wall. The rocks clearly show the marks left by nine sauropods and two large meat-eaters that passed through this area 150 million years ago.
These footprints formed during the Jurassic period and were discovered by scientists in 1921, a turning point for understanding dinosaur life in Northern Europe. The discovery revealed that giant dinosaurs also roamed in cooler climate zones, not just in warmer southern regions.
The site has captivated generations of visitors and now serves as a popular destination for schools and families interested in ancient life. People come here to see the tracks firsthand and understand how these giants moved across this landscape millions of years ago.
The rock face is steeply angled and platforms allow you to view the various footprints from different angles. The site is accessible year-round, though rain can sometimes make the paths slippery.
The sauropod tracks here are among the smallest known examples in Europe, suggesting they came from younger animals. The pattern of the prints indicates the animals traveled together as a group heading northward, rather than individually.
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