Natural Monument of Avelino Quarry

Category: Nature > Quarry

District: Setúbal > Sesimbra > Zambujal de Baixo > Zambujal

Location

The Avelino Quarry Natural Monument is integrated into the urbanized area of Zambujal, specifically in the locality of Zambujal de Baixo, in the municipality of Sesimbra. Its presence is surprising in this contemporary environment, revealing a unique paleontological point of interest within the local landscape.

Traces of a Distant Past

This remarkable natural monument is, in its essence, a site where dinosaur footprints are preserved. With an area of approximately 150 square meters, it features an imposing rock slab, measuring about 10 by 15 meters, covered with fossil marks. These footprints, dated to the Upper Jurassic period, approximately 155 million years ago, belong to sauropods, quadrupedal herbivorous dinosaurs characterized by their long neck and tail. Dozens of these footprints can be observed, organized into five distinct trackways, offering a visual journey back to a time when these giant creatures roamed the Earth.

The Formation of a Unique Record

The marks now contemplated at the Avelino Quarry were originally imprinted on muddy ground, corresponding to the margin of a coastal lagoon predominantly composed of freshwater. In these calm environments, the pressure exerted by the dinosaurs' feet, creatures that could weigh between three to five tons, left detailed impressions, with the raised outline of the mud delineating the shape of the animal's foot. Over millions of years, the deposition of new layers of sediment and, subsequently, the grand tectonic forces responsible for the uplift of the Arrábida Mountains, folded and fractured these rocks. It was the combination of this slow geological process with the limestone quarrying activity that took place here in the 20th century, which allowed these ancient surfaces, where dinosaurs once walked, to come to light again. The site was identified in the late 1980s and classified as a national monument in 1997.

A Window into Paleontology

The Avelino Quarry offers its visitors a unique opportunity to engage with paleontology. An observation platform has been installed at the site, facilitating the viewing of the footprints. Informative panels complement the experience, explaining the era in which these dinosaurs lived, their characteristics, and other curiosities. This combination allows for a deeper understanding of the scientific and historical importance of this location.

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