ARTYKUŁY I KOMUNIKATY NAUKOWE Borkowice – światowej klasy stanowisko paleontologiczne z tropami i kośćmi wczesnojurajskich dinozaurów
Abstract
Borkowice – a world-class paleontological site with footprints and bones of Early Jurassic dinosaurs.
A b s t r a c t. As part of the implementation of the Polish Geological Survey numerous and perfectly preserved dinosaur footprints were discovered in the upper Hettangian (Lower Jurassic) barrier-lagoon deposits, outcropping in the ceramic clay pit in Borkowice (Przysucha County, Poland). A large part of the specimens shows (especially visible in 3D scans) three-dimensional natural casts of dinosaur feet, on which anatomical features and impressions of the scaly skin are preserved in unusual details. These are the best preserved traces of dinosaurs so far discovered in Poland and the quality of their preservation is equal to the best-known discoveries worldwide. In order for such a state of preservation to be possible, a very special sequence of sedimentary/taphonomic events had to take place in a very short time. The collection also includes records of ethology (behaviour) left by dinosaurs running, swimming, resting and sitting on a muddy sediment, as well as many enigmatic biogenic structures, probably related to various life activities of dinosaurs living there. So far, several hundred dinosaur tracks, representing at least seven different species of these animals have been collected and secured in Borkowice, and the prospects for new finds are much more promising. Unique bone remains of ornithischian dinosaurs preserved in the form of casts have also been found. It is necessary to act in cooperation with local authorities and the entrepreneur exploiting the clay deposits in order to secure and protect the geoheritage site.
A b s t r a c t. As part of the implementation of the Polish Geological Survey numerous and perfectly preserved dinosaur footprints were discovered in the upper Hettangian (Lower Jurassic) barrier-lagoon deposits, outcropping in the ceramic clay pit in Borkowice (Przysucha County, Poland). A large part of the specimens shows (especially visible in 3D scans) three-dimensional natural casts of dinosaur feet, on which anatomical features and impressions of the scaly skin are preserved in unusual details. These are the best preserved traces of dinosaurs so far discovered in Poland and the quality of their preservation is equal to the best-known discoveries worldwide. In order for such a state of preservation to be possible, a very special sequence of sedimentary/taphonomic events had to take place in a very short time. The collection also includes records of ethology (behaviour) left by dinosaurs running, swimming, resting and sitting on a muddy sediment, as well as many enigmatic biogenic structures, probably related to various life activities of dinosaurs living there. So far, several hundred dinosaur tracks, representing at least seven different species of these animals have been collected and secured in Borkowice, and the prospects for new finds are much more promising. Unique bone remains of ornithischian dinosaurs preserved in the form of casts have also been found. It is necessary to act in cooperation with local authorities and the entrepreneur exploiting the clay deposits in order to secure and protect the geoheritage site.