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Ancient Sea Turtle Stampede Discovered in Italian Limestone

12/9/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In 2019, rock climbers near Ancona, Italy, discovered moon-shaped imprints in limestone, remnants of an ancient seabed.
Geologist Alessandro Montanari noted the area is dangerous due to rockfall, yet climbers ventured there to inspect the marks.
Researchers say the marks may reflect an ancient sea turtle stampede from about 80 million years ago, with three reptilian possibilities: mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, or sea turtles.
Mosasaurs and plesiosaurs were solitary, while sea turtles gather in large numbers.

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Story summary

In 2019, rock climbers near Ancona, Italy, discovered moon-shaped imprints in limestone, remnants of an ancient seabed.
Geologist Alessandro Montanari noted the area is dangerous due to rockfall, yet climbers ventured there to inspect the marks.
Researchers say the marks may reflect an ancient sea turtle stampede from about 80 million years ago, with three reptilian possibilities: mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, or sea turtles.
Mosasaurs and plesiosaurs were solitary, while sea turtles gather in large numbers.