The 9th International Jurassic Congress has proved to be a big success as for the first time in Rajasthan, dinosaur footprints have been found in Jaisalmer basin. The footprints were observed at Thaiat Scarp section near Thaiat village.
Professor DK Pandey of the Geology department, University of Rajasthan, has already recorded Pterosaurs bone fragment during previous years.
Dr Jan Schlogl of Slovakia observed the footprints in one of the basal rocks of the Thaiat Scarp section and professor Gregory Pienkowski of Poland identified the footprints as those of Pterosaurs or the flying dinosaur.
Around 34 delegates from Denmark, France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, UK and India visited the four localities in Jaisalmer Basin, namely, Akal National Park or Akal Wood Fossils Park, Thaiat Scarp section near Thaiat village, Khuri Road section and Fort section.
The observation revealed that the rocks exposed along the Thaiat Scarp section were deposited in some cycles, non-marine to marine depositional environments.
"Near the Thaiyat Village on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway there is an outcrop of Jurassic rocks. Careful geological observation by the team allowed them to interpret ancient environments in which these rocks (once soft sediments) were deposited. We can imagine a vast coastal zone on which the Jurassic sea would encroach some 180 million years ago," Professor DK Pandey said.
This basin is known for its special geological conditions. Experts found many pieces of bones of species of dinosaurs with short height at Thaiyat and Jethvai village in Jaisalmer. Dr Jan Schlogl from the Commenius University in Slovakia and Prof Grzegorz Pienkowski from the Polish Geological Institute in Warsaw spotted some peculiar structures in the area adjoining Kutch basin.
"They were soon recognized by Prof Pienkowski as footprints of Pterosaurs or the flying dinosaur. First one was rather small, only 5cm long, but perfectly imprinted on the upper surface of a sandstone bed. Its shape and name is clear - it is called Grallator, a specific name given to the footprint, left by a small predatory dinosaur. The footprint maker was not bigger than a hen. However, the second footprint was much bigger - about 30cm long. Such tridactyl footprint (it means that three toes are imprinted) is named Eubrontes giganteus and it must have been left by a much, much bigger creature. Prof Pienkowski estimated that the dinosaur could be some 6-7m long! It means that it was longer than the biggest known recent crocodile. It was not only longer, but much more dangerous and agile than crocodile, running fast on its two legs, grasping a prey with strong-clawed forelimbs and terrifying jaws, armed with sharp teeth. These teeth were some three times longer than teeth of the Indian tiger. These are the first evidences that Jurassic dinosaurs, both small and big, once lived in the territory of Rajasthan."
Professor D.K.Pandey said "There used to dinosaurs lakhs of years ago in the world famous Jaisalmer. The evidence of species of flying dinosaur was found recently. The new discovery by geological scientists have found fossils of two separate 160 million years old flying dinosaur at sister basin that the area adjoining Kutch basin. This basin is known for its special geological conditions. These dinosaurs were short heighted and looked like ostrich. Geology experts have recently found many pieces of bones of species of dinosaurs with short height at Thaiyat and Jethvai village in Jaisalmer district. Now scientists from all over the world in nearby areas of Jaisalmer~~amp;amp; Kachh reason will conduct research on the origin and destruction of dinosaur in the Jurassic period at Mesozoic era and will try to solve the unsolved questions."
He said "Near the Thaiyat Village on the Jaisalmer - Jodhpur highway there is an outcrop of Jurassic rocks. Careful geological observation performed by his team allowed to interpret ancient environments in which these rocks (once being soft sediments) were deposited. We can imagine a vast coastal zone, on which the Jurassic sea would encroach some 180 million years ago.
Pandey said " For time in India This week, Indian geologists of the University of Rajasthan hosted an international congress of scientists from 32 countries, delegates to the 9th International Congress on the Jurassic System (organized every four years in different countries). It is well known that tens of pairs of eyes can spot more than two or three. And this was the case this time - Dr. Jan Schlogl from the Commenius University in Slovakia and Prof. Grzegorz Pienkowski from the Polish Geological Institute in Warsaw spotted some peculiar structures.
Pandey said "They were soon recognized by Prof. Pienkowski as dinosaur footprints! First one was rather small, only five centimeters long, but perfectly imprinted on the upper surface of a sandstone bed. Its shape and name is clear - it is called Grallator, a specific name given to the footprint, left by a small predatory dinosaur. The footprint maker was not bigger than a hen. However, the second footprint was much bigger - about 30 cm long. Such tridactyl footprint (it means that three toes are imprinted) is named Eubrontes giganteus and it must have been left by a much, much bigger creature.
Prof. Pienkowski estimated that the footprint maker could be some 6 - 7 meters long! It means that it was longer than the biggest known recent crocodile. It was not only longer, but much more dangerous and agile than crocodile, running fast on its two legs, grasping a prey with strong clawed forelimbs and terrifying jaws, armed with sharp teeth. These teeth were some three times longer than the teeth of the recent Indian tiger. These are the first evidences that Jurassic dinosaurs, both small and big, once lived in the territory of Rajasthan.
Professor Pandey said Quite likely, more sensational finds will occur in the near future, his team will continue their research not only in Thaiat Village, but also in other localities. Needless to say, the 9th International Jurassic Congress was a big success and all the delegates from all over the world will leave India very pleased with its scientific output, as well as a with a great hospitality showed to them by the Indian hosts.
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