The attached picture may not seem very interesting at first sight although that should not put you off. If you look again you will see some indentations in the surface. They are in fact dinosaur footprints from about 60 million years ago. The impressions are in the surface of rock right in the middle of a cement factory. When the rock was being excavated they were found and fortunately preserved – this was in the mid 1990s. The finding is one of the largest collection of dinosaur footprints anywhere in the world, and a large variety of different types too. Over 5,000 footprints have been found at this site. Prior to that less than 100 footprints had been found at one site anywhere else in the world. So what a fantastic discovery – that could so easily have been turned into cement!
It is interesting to learn that over a huge period of time the mud where the dinosaurs trod became covered with silt and sediment. Eventually with the change in the shape of the earth’s crust they were forced up at an angle of 70 degrees from the flat surface, where all those millions of years ago these great creatures roamed
It is incredible to think how these footprints survived the giant forces in the earth that forced up this land from near sea level, and on a flat surface, to form part of the Andes range of mountains in South America. The footprints are now at 2750 metres (9,000feet) and it has been proved that they would have been near sea level – just incredible! Sadly, it is likely now that they have been found, they will disintegrate over a fairly short time.
I have been fortunate to see this amazing sight. I allowed my mind to wonder and wander at just what it would have been like when these creates roamed the earth. It is also fascinating to think that these creates have enthralled people of all ages over the years. Interestingly, not so very long ago I met someone (an adult) who lived in a part of the world where they had never heard of dinosaurs. When these creatures were explained and pictures from books show to the person visualising what they probably looked like, the imagination and surprise was amazing.
So here we have two interesting thoughts to dwell on, and I hope take action:
- From the last point, what do we not know that would be amazing to find out? This may sound like an odd thing to say, but if we continue learning and developing, taking interest in things around us and being inquisitive, who know what we may find out that we never knew anything about before. All adding to our personal and prefessional development. A journey of lifelong learning that an open mind will embrace – so how open is your mind?
- And the second thought. Do you want to leave anything behind you that could be interesting to others who follow? If yes, what could that be and are you taking action already?
We all leave footprints, how long will your last….?
My best wishes,
Peter
