Story perspectives

Ancient Sea Turtle Stampede Discovered in Italy

12/5/2025

49 4

Summary

Story summary

In 2019, rock climbers near Ancona, Italy, found moon-shaped limestone imprints that may record an 80-million-year-old sea turtle stampede.
Geologist Alessandro Montanari notes the area is dangerous due to rockfall, yet climbers ventured there.
The imprints resemble footprints and were likely formed by fins paddling on the seafloor, ruling out fish.
Findings identify three possible reptilian creators: giant mosasaurs, long-necked plesiosaurs, and sea turtles, with turtles deemed most plausible.

1 of 1

Story summary

In 2019, rock climbers near Ancona, Italy, found moon-shaped limestone imprints that may record an 80-million-year-old sea turtle stampede.
Geologist Alessandro Montanari notes the area is dangerous due to rockfall, yet climbers ventured there.
The imprints resemble footprints and were likely formed by fins paddling on the seafloor, ruling out fish.
Findings identify three possible reptilian creators: giant mosasaurs, long-necked plesiosaurs, and sea turtles, with turtles deemed most plausible.