Natural Monument of Dinosaur Footprints of Ourém/Torres Novas

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Tourist Attraction

District: Santarém > Ourém > Bairro

Location

This geological and paleontological site of interest is located in the village of Bairro, in the municipality of Ourém. It lies at the eastern end of the Serra de Aire, within the protected landscape of the Natural Park of Serras de Aire e Candeeiros. Its location provides a vast natural setting, characteristic of this limestone massif.

The Legacy of the Sauropods

The Natural Monument preserves an exceptional fossil record from the Jurassic period, with a highlight on the footprints of sauropod dinosaurs. These giant herbivores, which could reach thirty meters in length and seventy tons in weight, left a remarkable testament to their passage here. Recognized as the largest and oldest sauropod tracks known worldwide, dating back approximately 175 million years, the deposit includes over a thousand footprints distributed across twenty tracks. Among these tracks, an impressive track measuring 147 meters in length stands out, considered the most extensive of its kind globally. Its remarkable preservation allows for detailed observation of the movement patterns and characteristics of these prehistoric animals.

The Land in the Middle Jurassic

Around 175 million years ago, in the Middle Jurassic epoch, the landscape that now constitutes the Serra de Aire was very different. There was a vast coastal area, characterized by shallow marine lagoons with clear and warm water. The climate, then hot and humid, favored lush vegetation, creating an ideal environment for large herbivores. In these lagoon beds, the calcareous mud was malleable, allowing the footprints of dinosaurs, such as sauropods, to be easily impressed. Over time, these impressions were covered by new layers of sediment which, upon hardening, transformed into limestone rock, thus protecting this valuable record. The study of these footprints offers crucial insights into the habits, locomotion, and social behavior of these beings that dominated the planet.

Discovery and Tour

The history of the Natural Monument dates back to 1994, when the footprints were fortuitously discovered in the then Pedreira do Galinha (Galinha Quarry). Two years later, the site was classified, recognizing its undeniable paleontological importance. Today, visitors can follow an autonomous interpretation circuit, which invites them on a journey through time. Along the route, it is possible to observe the slabs with the footprints up close, through wooden boardwalks that facilitate viewing and contribute to the conservation of the site. Informative panels and landscape viewers, strategically placed, enrich the understanding of the geology and prehistoric life that existed there. A "Jurassic Garden" displays current plants that descend from botanical groups characteristic of the Mesozoic Era, and an illustrative panel of the evolution of life on Earth over geological time complements the visit, offering a unique perspective on our distant past.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt