Scientists reconstruct the walking patterns of large-scale predators by digitally analyzing East Asia’s longest dinosaur tracks.
A team of research led by the University of Queensland has transformed 80 consecutive footprints spanning nearly 70 meters into a revealing animation that accurately shows how this ancient creature moved through the landscape 120 million years ago. The researchers used advanced digital modeling techniques to determine the dinosaur’s height, weight and walking speed – not only to make the animal look, but also to travel through the environment in real time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx6_zrqfkzg
The study published in Earth Science shows how digital technology revolutionizes paleontology by unlocking behavioral information that was previously unplugged from traditional fossil analysis.
Locally known as the “Phoenix Track” in Sichuan Province, China, the track retains a 40-second journey of bipedal predatory dinosaurs that fascinates generations with locals and scientists. Once attributed to the mythical phoenix in local folklore, these footprints now tell a scientific story from prehistoric life.
Bringing ancient footsteps into digital life
Dr. Anthony Romilio of the University of Queensland Dinosaur Laboratory uses traditional field methods far beyond digital investigations. Rather than struggling to measure the logistics of 80 meters of rock on 70 meters of rock, the team used digital modeling to capture and analyze each step with unprecedented accuracy.
“This dinosaur’s movement was reconstructed for the first time, revealing its walking, changing its pace and responding to its environment,” Dr. Romilio said. “This sequence of 80 consecutive footprints stretched 70 meters in Sichuan Province, China, was a short time.”
Analysis shows that the dinosaurs walk at a steady speed of about 5.3 kilometers per hour (same as the brisk sidewalk) and trot with a brief acceleration moment before returning to their regular speed. What is even more surprising is that the creature maintains an almost completely straight trajectory throughout the process.
“It’s not just dinosaurs wandering aimlessly, it moves purposefully in almost completely straight lines,” Dr. Romilio noted.
Animals behind the track
By calculating the relationship between footprint size and body size, the researchers determined that this was a substantial predator with a hip height of about 1.13 meters and a weight of 292 kg. The animal shares a similar proportion to Yutyrannus, a feathered dinosaur known from Northeast China in the same early Cretaceous period.
Orbital analysis provides biometric details, including:
- Walking speed is 5.3 km per hour (average)
- Weight is about 292 kg
- The hip height is 1.13 meters
- The total journey time is about 40 seconds
- Always with minimal deviation southward trajectory
The research team, including Dr. Lida Xing from the China University of Earth Sciences in Beijing, created a digital animation showing how dinosaurs will move along the road. This visualization uses a curved pose to reproduce the dinosaur’s walking pattern in a scientifically precise manner, which reflects the way these animals actually move, rather than the stance of straight feet often portrayed in older reconstructions.
The digital revolution in paleontology
Phoenix Trackway’s research represents what researchers call the “third wave” of paleontological ecology – the study of fossil trajectories and traces. Earlier methods rely on direct field measurements and basic documentation, and today’s digital technologies allow virtual preservation and analysis of the entire track.
“The track can reveal behavioral information and stories that fossil bones alone cannot provide,” explains Dr. Romilio. “However, because logistical difficulties measure them in detail on the site, they have been studied historically.”
The traditional method of recording long tracks involves placing slices of acetate on tracks to track them – a time-consuming process with limited accuracy. Now, digital methods enable researchers to capture comprehensive data that can be analyzed repeatedly without damaging the original site.
“Our complete digital approach allows us to capture, interpret and retain all measurements and calculations from fossil track sites on computers to get a glimpse of the dynamic life of ancient creatures,” Dr. Romilio said.
From local legends to scientific understanding
This track has profound cultural significance in the areas found. It was called “shifengwo” or “Stone Phoenix Nest” locally, and was once believed by villagers, and the city of Phoenix once considered, even mentioned in local poems in the late Qing Dynasty (circa 1840-1911).
Today, scientific analysis has turned this cultural artifact into prehistoric behavior. The detailed digital reconstruction not only respects the historical significance of the track and field, but also enhances our understanding of how these ancient creatures develop in their world.
As digital technology continues to evolve, researchers expect more detailed insights from global fossil tracks. The methods demonstrated in this study can be applied to other long dinosaur traces that have been documented but not fully analyzed due to their size and complexity. For paleontologists, each reserved sequence of footprints represents not only evidence of the animal’s existence, but also its moment of life, a record that restores prehistoric behavior to life, which can restore prehistoric behavior to life.
If our report has been informed or inspired, please consider donating. No matter how big or small, every contribution allows us to continue to deliver accurate, engaging and trustworthy scientific and medical news. Independent news takes time, energy and resources – your support ensures that we can continue to reveal the stories that matter most to you.
Join us to make knowledge accessible and impactful. Thank you for standing with us!
