Cal Orck'o, Sucre

Nestled in the outskirts of Sucre, Bolivia, lies an extraordinary prehistoric site known as Cal Orck'o, which translates to "lime hill". This remarkable area is home to the largest collection of dinosaur footprints in the world, offering a window into a bygone era when these colossal creatures roamed the Earth.

Discovered in 1994 within a limestone quarry, the site has since revealed over 10,000 individual prints, spanning more than 462 distinct dinosaur tracks. These footprints date back approximately 68 million years, to the late Cretaceous period, and are remarkably well-preserved due to the unique geological conditions of the area.

Cal Orck'o covers an impressive 1.5 kilometers of a near-vertical wall, standing 80 meters high. The vast array of tracks includes those of large carnivorous theropods, hefty herbivorous sauropods, and nimble ornithopods. This diversity has provided paleontologists with invaluable information about the ecosystem of the late Cretaceous and the behavior of its dinosaur inhabitants.

The site is part of the Parque Cretácico (Cretaceous Park), which offers guided tours for visitors to learn about the prehistoric past and see life-size dinosaur replicas. The park also features a museum that displays fossils and provides educational exhibits detailing the significance of the site.

Cal Orck'o is not only a treasure trove for scientists but also a magnet for tourists and dinosaur enthusiasts from all over the world. The site's preservation and presentation have been carefully managed to ensure that it remains a vital resource for both education and tourism.