A unique fossil slab at a corner of Biloela state high school’s office contains one of the highest concentrations of dinosaur footprints documented in Australia, according to new analysis by University of Queensland researcher Dr Anthony Romilio.
The slab, which is less than one square metre in area, features 66 fossilized footprints from 47 individual dinosaurs dating back to the Early Jurassic period, about 200 million years ago. The three-toed footprints were made by Anomoepus scambus, a small plant-eating dinosaur that moved on two legs.
Researchers have long believed that this species existed in Australia during this time period, but no skeletal remains had been found before. Romilio’s discovery suggests that these dinosaurs were abundant in central Queensland, particularly around the Early Jurassic period.
The slab contains 13 distinct trackways that make up roughly half of the footprints, which likely formed over days or weeks in mud covered by shallow water. The fossilized prints are significant because they provide evidence of dinosaur life in Australia without leaving behind skeletal remains.
The boulder was discovered at Callide mine in 2002 and given to Biloela state high school by a geologist whose wife was a teacher there. Its significance went overlooked for decades until Romilio stumbled upon it while researching nearby Mount Morgan.
To better visualize the footprints, Romilio created a 3D model combining photographs of each rock. The discovery is set to be displayed at the Banana shire council office.
Banana shire mayor Nev Ferrier described the find as “huge” and noted that it highlights the unique characteristics of their local landscape. While no Anomoepus bones have been found in Australia, Romilio hopes that public tipoffs may lead to future discoveries.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/12/dinosaur-footprints-boulder-queensland-school