The Discovery
On October 22, 2026, officials in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, announced the discovery of a massive dinosaur footprint fossil. Uncovered in a geological layer known as the Tochikubo Formation, the print dates back to the Late Jurassic period, approximately 160 million years ago. Measuring about 70 centimeters in length, it is the largest Jurassic dinosaur footprint ever found in Japan.
What Scientists Found
During the excavation, researchers discovered 12 footprints distributed across an area of 7 to 8 meters. Five of these impressions are thought to belong to sauropods—a group of large, plant-eating dinosaurs characterized by long necks and tails.
- The primary 70-centimeter footprint was likely left by a dinosaur's left hind leg.
- The animal is estimated to have had a hip height of roughly 3 meters.
- The exact species of dinosaur that left the tracks has not yet been confirmed.
To preserve the fossils and maintain safety, the excavation site is not open to the public. However, a life-sized display panel of the prints was put on exhibit at the Minamisoma City Museum starting October 23, 2026, with replicas planned for future exhibitions.
Why It Matters
This finding provides an important piece of evidence regarding prehistoric life in Japan. Most dinosaur fossils discovered in the country date back to the Cretaceous period, making Jurassic discoveries relatively rare. Prior to this, a well-known Jurassic footprint found in 1993 in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, measured around 33 centimeters. The newly discovered footprint in Fukushima is roughly twice that size.
While bones reveal details about a dinosaur's physical structure, footprint fossils provide unique proof of where these creatures actually walked and traveled during their lifetimes.
Source: dinosaur fossil discovery - BingNews · Published October 24, 2026 · Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash