Paleontologist Anthony Romilio recently examined a boulder located in a carpark near Biloela, central Queensland. For two decades, students and teachers at Biloela State High School had unknowingly studied and worked beside this beige boulder, unaware that it held clues to a bygone world. In 2021, spurred by media reports of dinosaur remains in the region, an expert was brought in to investigate the large rock displayed in the school’s foyer. Covered in markings resembling oversized chicken feet with three toes, the boulder intrigued Romilio, prompting him to conduct a thorough examination.
Upon inspection, Romilio discovered a treasure trove of 66 fossilized footprints from 47 individual dinosaurs, dating back almost 200 million years to the early Jurassic period. This find, the largest of its kind in Australia, astonished both the school’s deputy principal and the wider community. The boulder had been acquired by the school around two decades ago when a geologist, married to one of the teachers, rescued it from a nearby mine slated for development. Romilio’s subsequent investigations led him to a nearby coal mine, where he encountered more dinosaur footprints etched into massive boulders, further enriching the area’s prehistoric narrative.
These remarkable discoveries shed light on Australia’s Jurassic past, highlighting the significance of fossil footprints in understanding ancient ecosystems. Currently, the school boulder remains a focal point in the student foyer, serving as a unique educational tool. Plans are underway to potentially relocate the boulder to a more accessible location, recognizing its importance as a community heritage artifact. Romilio emphasized the value of preserving such finds for their cultural and historical significance.
