Overview
- Specialists dated the tracks to the Lower Cretaceous at roughly 120 million years based on their geological context.
- Three localities were documented—Santa Ana Xaloxtoc (Tehuacán), Santa Catarina Tehuixtla, and San Lucas Teteletitlán (Atexcal)—with roughly 5 to 20 prints per site spread over 200 to 300 meters.
- Identified ichnites include traces attributed to iguanodontids, sauropods, and small theropods, with larger theropods and possible pterosaurs flagged as needing further analysis.
- Seasonal rains eroded sediments to expose the prints, and residents’ reports prompted INAH inspections led by Centro INAH Puebla specialists.
- The sites lie within the San Juan Raya Formation and also show mollusk-rich strata and fossilized wood, pointing to ancient beach and shallow-lagoon environments.