Paleontologists Create a Digital Reconstruction of a 120-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Trackway

The extensive dinosaur trackways offer crucial insights into the behaviors of their creators, yet researchers frequently encounter logistical hurdles in documentation and analysis. In a recent study, paleontologists from the University of Queensland and the University of Earth Sciences in China tackled these issues by employing digital methods to reexamine China’s 70-meter long dinosaur trackway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx6_zrqfkzg

The 120-million-year-old trackway examined by the team is situated southwest of Hanukushi village in Sichuan Province, China.

Affectionately referred to as the “Siphenwo” or “Stone Phoenix Nest”, the trackway holds significant cultural importance. It was once believed by locals to have been created by the mythical Phoenix, as described in poetry from the late Qing Dynasty (1840-1911 CE).

This trackway, which represents the longest theropod trackway in East Asia, consists of 81 consecutive footprints, stretching over approximately 70 meters.

“The dinosaur’s movements were reconstructed in stages, revealing its walking patterns, pace changes, and responses to the environment,” stated Anthony Romilio, a paleontologist at the University of Queensland.

“The sequence of 80 consecutive footprints extends over 70 meters in Sichuan, China, capturing a fleeting moment in stone.”

“Through digital animation, we can observe these moments as they unfold, offering unparalleled insights into animal behavior and biomechanics.”

Using measurements from the trackway, Dr. Romilio and colleague Dr. Lida Singh determined that the dinosaur was bipedal, standing approximately 1.13 meters tall at the waist and weighing up to 292 kg.

“The footprint indicates that the dinosaur moved at a steady 5.3 km/h, similar to a brisk human walk, occasionally accelerating to a light trot before resuming its normal pace,” Dr. Romilio explained.

“This was not merely a dinosaur meandering aimlessly; it was moving in a largely linear fashion with clear intent.”

The team concluded that the dinosaur’s size closely resembles that of the feathered dinosaur Yutyrannus, which lived in northeastern China during the early Cretaceous period.

“Trackways can reveal behavioral details and narratives that fossilized bones alone cannot,” remarked Dr. Romilio.

“However, the study of such extensive tracks has historically been challenging due to the complexities of on-site measurements.”

“Our entirely digital approach enables us to capture, interpret, and archive all measurements and calculations from fossil track sites on computers, providing insight into the dynamic lives of these ancient beings.”

The team’s findings will be published in the journal Earth Science.

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Anthony Romilio & Lida Xing. 2025. Digital analysis of the “Phoenix Trackway” at a Chinese Cretaceous dinosaur track site. Earth Science 15(5):165; doi:10.3390/geosciences15050165