In an unprecedented discovery, an exceptional paleontological site has emerged from the mountains of the Orobie Valtellinesi Park in the Italian Alps. The fossils, preserved in delicate layers of sandstone and clay for 280 million years, reveal a complete Paleozoic-era ecosystem. This unique window into the past has been made possible by climate change, which has reduced snow and glacier coverage in the region, exposing previously unseen natural treasures.

It all began with a casual hike by Claudia Steffensen, a local hiker, in Val d’Ambria, 1,700 meters above sea level. During her walk, she noticed what appeared to be unusual marks on the rocks. Her discovery reached paleontologist Cristiano Dal Sasso from the Natural History Museum of Milan, who quickly mobilized a team of specialists from Italy and Germany to investigate the site.

High in the peaks of Pizzo del Diavolo de Tenda and other nearby mountains, scientists identified a vast collection of fossilized tracks left by amphibians, reptiles, and even small invertebrates.

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Archaeologists removing rock fragments containing fossils at the site of the find. Credit: Elio Della Ferrera / Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio delle province di Como, Lecco, Monza-Brianza, Pavia, Sondrio e Varese

The rock surfaces also preserved traces of plants, seeds, and natural phenomena such as raindrops and ripples from ancient lakes. These details, captured with almost photographic precision, tell the story of life in a world that existed long before the dinosaurs.

The period to which these fossils belong, known as the Permian, was a time of climatic transition marked by expanding arid climates and the rise of reptiles as the dominant land-dwelling creatures.

The tracks found suggest the presence of at least five different animal species. According to paleontologist Lorenzo Marchetti, the preservation quality is astonishing; even skin textures of some reptiles and the precise shapes of their limb digits have been identified.

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Permian fossils found in the Italian Alps. Credit: Elio Della Ferrera / Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio delle province di Como, Lecco, Monza-Brianza, Pavia, Sondrio e Varese

In addition to animal tracks, fossils of plants, including fronds and seeds, provide vital clues for reconstructing the ecosystems of the time. The rocky surfaces also display signs of desiccation, ripples caused by water currents, and, in an extraordinary detail, imprints of raindrops that fell on the mud millions of years ago.

The site’s location, nearly 3,000 meters above sea level in rugged terrain, poses a significant challenge for researchers. The recovery of the first fossils was made possible using helicopters provided by local companies.

These initial efforts allowed key fragments to be transported to laboratories, including a “masso” containing tracks of a reptile that walked along an ancient lakeshore.

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A whole ecosystem fossilized in fine-grained sandstone slabs, which have preserved unimaginable details. Credit: Elio Della Ferrera / Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio delle province di Como, Lecco, Monza-Brianza, Pavia, Sondrio e Varese

According to Ausonio Ronchi, a sedimentologist from the University of Pavia, these tracks were formed when wet mud hardened under the sun, creating a surface that was later covered by new sediment layers. This process protected the tracks for millions of years until erosion brought them to light again.

With this addition to its natural heritage, Orobie Valtellinesi Park is emerging as a globally significant paleontological research site. Researchers have already initiated academic projects, including two university theses, to analyze the fossils and their implications for Earth’s climatic and biological history.

Doriano Codega, president of the park, emphasized that this discovery represents a unique opportunity to promote research and education. However, he also stressed the need for additional resources, such as drones and advanced technology, to map fossils on vertical rock faces and ensure their protection from natural risks.

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Reconstruction of the now fossilized lake scene, as it might have been 280 million years ago. Credit: Fabio Manucci

The scientists involved have noted alarming parallels between the Permian’s climatic conditions and current global warming trends. During the Permian, greenhouse gas increases from volcanic activity caused glacier melt and the expansion of arid climates. These conditions led to a mass extinction that wiped out a significant portion of the planet’s species.

This site not only enriches our understanding of the past but also warns us about the future, said Dal Sasso. Understanding how these species adapted or perished during drastic changes can provide valuable lessons for the challenges we face today.

The discovery has already captured the attention of cultural and scientific institutions. The Natural History Museum of Milan has expressed interest in including an exhibit dedicated to these fossils, while Orobie Valtellinesi Park plans to create educational spaces to attract both experts and the general public.

Elio Della Ferrera, a photographer and naturalist who played a key role in the initial documentation, dreams of transporting some of the most representative fossils to permanent exhibitions in regional museums. These findings are an invaluable heritage, not only for scientists but for everyone seeking to understand our place in the planet’s history, he said.

SOURCES

Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano

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