In a major paleontological breakthrough, researchers in South Africa have discovered the first known animal tracks from the Pliocene epoch, pushing its fossil record back nearly 3 million years. Found within the ancient, solidified dunes of the Wankoe Formation, these rare traces offer a direct window into a prehistoric world. The findings are particularly exciting because many of the tracks are “pedestalled,” preserved as raised reliefs due to unique wind erosion, a globally rare phenomenon. This discovery opens a new chapter for the region, complementing known body fossils from nearby sites like Langebaanweg. The findings also open the possibility of uncovering early hominin tracks, similar to Tanzania’s famous Laetoli prints. With every new outcrop examined, the potential grows for uncovering more secrets from this ancient landscape, promising further revelations in future explorations.
The Conversation
