Tracksite of Birds and Dinosaurs in Gajin-ri, Jinju

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.395

Category

자연지형

Era

중생대

Designated year

1998

Location

진주시, 경상남도— 경상남도 진주시 진의로 178-27 (진성면)

Coordinates

35.201498, 128.225856

"The tracksite of birds and dinosaurs was discovered at a new construction site. The footprints of plovers, dinosaurs, and pteranodon in the Cretaceous period 100 million years ago during the Mesozoic era, which are very rare in the world, were discovered. The area where the fossil was discovered was a hill area 55m above sea level. During the construction of the Gyeongnam Science and Education Center, about 35m were dug up, and the fossil was discovered within the stone. After the excavation, 2,500 footprints of longbill plovers, 80 footprints of dinosaurs, 20 footprints of pterodactyls, and 365 footprints of birds measuring 30 x 40cm were discovered in 5 spots. The tracksite site in Gajin-ri, Jinju is very rare in the world, with the fossil of birds' footprints and dinosaurs' footprints discovered in the same place. It is also the breeding place of migratory birds, showing what the ecosystem was like about 100 million years ago. As such, it is very valuable in studying the old environment and the birds in the Mesozoic era. Therefore, it is designated and protected as a Natural Monument."

Location