永靖(jing)劉家(jia)峽恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)博物(wu)館位于甘肅劉家(jia)峽恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)國家(jia)地(di)質公園,地(di)處永靖(jing)縣境(jing)內(nei)(nei)鹽鍋峽水庫庫區水岸。為(wei)了有(you)效(xiao)保護和(he)(he)利用恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)足(zu)印這一(yi)珍貴的歷史(shi)遺(yi)存,充(chong)分發掘(jue)恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)足(zu)印的科(ke)研、考古價值,提高旅游文化內(nei)(nei)涵,永靖(jing)縣政(zheng)府于2010年開始建設(she)劉家(jia)峽恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)博物(wu)館,擬展(zhan)出(chu)白(bai)堊紀恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)及其它古生物(wu)化石標本,成為(wei)一(yi)個(ge)采集(ji)、修復、裝(zhuang)架、收(shou)藏、展(zhan)示和(he)(he)研究為(wei)一(yi)體的恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)專題博物(wu)館,并成為(wei)在國內(nei)(nei)外恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)學遺(yi)跡領域具有(you)重要影響力的科(ke)研科(ke)普基地(di)。
在該足(zu)印遺跡(ji)產出的附(fu)近地區(qu),已(yi)經多處發現恐(kong)龍骨骼化石(shi)。為進一步研(yan)究恐(kong)龍的類別和研(yan)究足(zu)印遺跡(ji)與造跡(ji)生(sheng)物之間(jian)的關系提(ti)供(gong)了重要線索(suo)。
恐龍(long)足(zu)印化(hua)石是研(yan)究恐龍(long)生理和(he)(he)(he)生活習性(xing)的(de)珍貴材(cai)料,其形態、排列方式(shi)和(he)(he)(he)組(zu)合特征能夠(gou)真實地(di)反(fan)映相(xiang)當一部分(fen)生理特征和(he)(he)(he)生活習性(xing),如(ru)個體大小、運動方式(shi)(四足(zu)或(huo)(huo)兩足(zu)行走)、生活方式(shi)(群居或(huo)(huo)獨居)等,同時能夠(gou)為(wei)研(yan)究恐龍(long)生活環境和(he)(he)(he)生物類(lei)別提供(gong)重(zhong)要依據。由于恐龍(long)類(lei)別多(duo)樣,形態古怪,并以(yi)體軀巨大而著(zhu)稱,在成功地(di)統治地(di)球(qiu)長達一億六千萬年之后,又在距(ju)今約6千5百萬年前(qian)全(quan)部消失,其從發(fa)生到(dao)繁(fan)盛、從衰落到(dao)絕滅(mie)的(de)整個演(yan)化(hua)過程充滿(man)著(zhu)傳奇和(he)(he)(he)神秘色彩。相(xiang)信甘(gan)肅劉(liu)家峽(xia)恐龍(long)國家地(di)質(zhi)公(gong)園肯定會吸引眾(zhong)多(duo)學生和(he)(he)(he)社會各(ge)界(jie)人(ren)士參(can)觀(guan)考察,使其成為(wei)最受青(qing)睞的(de)、津(jin)津(jin)樂道和(he)(he)(he)普遍關注的(de)地(di)質(zhi)公(gong)園。
劉家峽(xia)恐龍(long)足(zu)印(yin)(yin)群,保(bao)存(cun)十分(fen)(fen)完整和清晰(xi),立體感強。同(tong)時,在(zai)同(tong)一巖層層面上(shang)還保(bao)存(cun)有恐龍(long)臥跡、尾部拖(tuo)痕及糞跡等,構成(cheng)了足(zu)印(yin)(yin)、臥跡、拖(tuo)痕和糞跡共(gong)存(cun)的(de)(de)(de)場(chang)面,非(fei)常獨特。在(zai)已經揭露的(de)(de)(de)總計710平方米的(de)(de)(de)巖層層面上(shang)發(fa)現(xian)(xian)了8類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)30組(zu)270個足(zu)印(yin)(yin),其中至少包括兩(liang)類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)巨型蜥腳類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)、兩(liang)類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)獸腳類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)、一類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)似(si)鳥龍(long)類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)和其它三類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)形態獨特、尚未歸屬(shu)的(de)(de)(de)足(zu)印(yin)(yin),代(dai)表至少8個屬(shu)種(zhong)。在(zai)同(tong)地點(dian)出現(xian)(xian)如此多樣(yang)的(de)(de)(de)食植類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)和食肉類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)恐龍(long)足(zu)印(yin)(yin),在(zai)國內尚屬(shu)首次,在(zai)世(shi)(shi)界上(shang)也極為(wei)(wei)罕(han)見。劉家峽(xia)恐龍(long)足(zu)印(yin)(yin)群中最(zui)大的(de)(de)(de)一組(zu)蜥腳類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)足(zu)印(yin)(yin)為(wei)(wei)世(shi)(shi)界之最(zui),已列入世(shi)(shi)界紀錄(lu)協會世(shi)(shi)界最(zui)大恐龍(long)足(zu)印(yin)(yin)群候選世(shi)(shi)界紀錄(lu)。而且該類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)足(zu)印(yin)(yin)前足(zu)小(xiao),后(hou)足(zu)大,前后(hou)足(zu)足(zu)印(yin)(yin)成(cheng)對出現(xian)(xian)并有規律地部分(fen)(fen)疊覆,為(wei)(wei)國內外(wai)首次發(fa)現(xian)(xian)。
黃河三(san)峽(xia)恐(kong)龍足印群化石地(di)質遺(yi)跡位于鹽鍋(guo)峽(xia)水(shui)電站上游1公(gong)里(li)處(chu)的太極(ji)湖(hu)北岸,距縣城水(shui)上距離43公(gong)里(li)。該遺(yi)跡是在1999年7月至8月,由(you)甘肅省(sheng)第三(san)地(di)質礦(kuang)產勘(kan)查(cha)院(yuan)(原蘭(lan)州地(di)質礦(kuang)產勘(kan)查(cha)院(yuan))古(gu)生物研究開發(fa)(fa)中心主任李大慶博士等地(di)質工(gong)作者進(jin)行古(gu)生物地(di)層調查(cha)工(gong)作過程中發(fa)(fa)現的。從1999年8月開始,由(you)三(san)勘(kan)院(yuan)負責開始人工(gong)揭露(lu),目前已(yi)揭露(lu)面積(ji)近2000平(ping)方米(mi),挖(wa)掘出10類150組共1724個足印。其中最大足印為150cm×120cm,為世界之最。
劉(liu)家(jia)峽白堊紀(ji)恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)足(zu)(zu)(zu)印化(hua)(hua)石(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)成(cheng)群發(fa)現(xian)(xian)在(zai)甘(gan)肅省尚(shang)(shang)屬(shu)首(shou)次(ci),該化(hua)(hua)石(shi)與其它(ta)產(chan)(chan)(chan)地(di)(di)(di)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)古(gu)生(sheng)物遺(yi)跡相比,有(you)五(wu)個(ge)(ge)顯著(zhu)特點:其一(yi)(yi)(yi)是(shi)(shi)保(bao)存(cun)完(wan)好(hao)、清晰(xi)(xi)(xi)度(du)高。絕大(da)多(duo)(duo)數產(chan)(chan)(chan)地(di)(di)(di)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)足(zu)(zu)(zu)印化(hua)(hua)石(shi)是(shi)(shi)經(jing)自然風化(hua)(hua)作用而(er)暴(bao)露(lu)于地(di)(di)(di)表的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de),足(zu)(zu)(zu)印往往遭到一(yi)(yi)(yi)定(ding)程度(du)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)破壞,而(er)劉(liu)家(jia)峽恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)足(zu)(zu)(zu)印化(hua)(hua)石(shi)完(wan)全(quan)是(shi)(shi)經(jing)過人工(gong)仔(zi)細揭露(lu)出(chu)來的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de),因而(er)保(bao)存(cun)得十分完(wan)整和(he)清晰(xi)(xi)(xi),立體感強。同(tong)(tong)時(shi),在(zai)同(tong)(tong)一(yi)(yi)(yi)巖層(ceng)層(ceng)面(mian)上還保(bao)存(cun)有(you)恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)臥(wo)跡、 尾部拖痕及糞(fen)跡等,構成(cheng)了足(zu)(zu)(zu)印、 臥(wo)跡、拖跡和(he)糞(fen)跡共存(cun)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)場面(mian),因而(er)非常(chang)獨(du)特。其二(er)是(shi)(shi)規模大(da),屬(shu)種多(duo)(duo)。在(zai)已(yi)揭露(lu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)總計2000平方米(mi)(mi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)巖層(ceng)層(ceng)面(mian)上至少有(you)兩類巨型晰(xi)(xi)(xi)腳(jiao)類,兩類獸腳(jiao)類,一(yi)(yi)(yi)類似(si)鳥(niao)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)類,一(yi)(yi)(yi)類翼龍(long)(long)(long)(long)類和(he)其它(ta)三(san)類形態獨(du)特、尚(shang)(shang)未(wei)(wei)歸(gui)屬(shu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)足(zu)(zu)(zu)印,代表至少9個(ge)(ge)屬(shu)種。在(zai)同(tong)(tong)地(di)(di)(di)點出(chu)現(xian)(xian)如此多(duo)(duo)樣的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)食植物類和(he)食肉類恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)足(zu)(zu)(zu)印,在(zai)國(guo)內(nei)尚(shang)(shang)屬(shu)首(shou)次(ci),在(zai)世(shi)界(jie)上也(ye)極為(wei)罕見(jian)。其三(san)是(shi)(shi)足(zu)(zu)(zu)印大(da)而(er)獨(du)特。以前在(zai)世(shi)界(jie)上所(suo)發(fa)現(xian)(xian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)最大(da)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)足(zu)(zu)(zu)印是(shi)(shi)1982年(nian)韓(han)國(guo)慶尚(shang)(shang)道一(yi)(yi)(yi)帶(dai)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)海(hai)岸邊發(fa)現(xian)(xian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)長120厘(li)米(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)64厘(li)米(mi)(mi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)晰(xi)(xi)(xi)腳(jiao)類(腕龍(long)(long)(long)(long))足(zu)(zu)(zu)印。專家(jia)們(men)確定(ding)留下(xia)該足(zu)(zu)(zu)印的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)是(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)個(ge)(ge)龐然大(da)物,它(ta)兩步(bu)就可以跨(kua)過一(yi)(yi)(yi)個(ge)(ge)籃球場,體長至少有(you)20米(mi)(mi),體重(zhong)接近(jin)50噸。而(er)且該類足(zu)(zu)(zu)印前足(zu)(zu)(zu)小,后足(zu)(zu)(zu)大(da),前后足(zu)(zu)(zu)印成(cheng)對出(chu)現(xian)(xian),并有(you)規律地(di)(di)(di)部分疊覆,為(wei)國(guo)內(nei)外首(shou)次(ci)發(fa)現(xian)(xian)。其四是(shi)(shi)多(duo)(duo)層(ceng)面(mian)出(chu)現(xian)(xian),在(zai)已(yi)經(jing)揭露(lu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)1號點同(tong)(tong)一(yi)(yi)(yi)點上出(chu)現(xian)(xian)上、下(xia)兩個(ge)(ge)產(chan)(chan)(chan)有(you)不同(tong)(tong)恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)足(zu)(zu)(zu)印類型的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)層(ceng)位,而(er)恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)類群發(fa)生(sheng)了演替,這種足(zu)(zu)(zu)印產(chan)(chan)(chan)地(di)(di)(di)在(zai)世(shi)界(jie)亦(yi)屬(shu)罕見(jian)。其五(wu)是(shi)(shi)伴有(you)骨骼(ge)(ge)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)發(fa)現(xian)(xian)。在(zai)恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)足(zu)(zu)(zu)印化(hua)(hua)石(shi)遺(yi)跡產(chan)(chan)(chan)出(chu)地(di)(di)(di)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)附近(jin)地(di)(di)(di)區,已(yi)經(jing)多(duo)(duo)處(chu)發(fa)現(xian)(xian)恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)骨骼(ge)(ge)化(hua)(hua)石(shi)。雖然尚(shang)(shang)未(wei)(wei)進行系統發(fa)掘。總而(er)言之(zhi),該恐(kong)(kong)(kong)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)足(zu)(zu)(zu)印化(hua)(hua)石(shi)規模之(zhi)大(da)、種類之(zhi)多(duo)(duo)、保(bao)存(cun)之(zhi)完(wan)好(hao)、清晰(xi)(xi)(xi)度(du)之(zhi)高、立體感之(zhi)強,均為(wei)世(shi)界(jie)少有(you)。
恐(kong)龍(long)(long)是(shi)(shi)中(zhong)生(sheng)代(dai)地球上(shang)(shang)(shang)的(de)龐然大物,它(ta)的(de)滅絕至今(jin)仍是(shi)(shi)科學上(shang)(shang)(shang)的(de)一(yi)個(ge)謎。新生(sheng)代(dai)動物遺骨形(xing)(xing)成化石(shi)已(yi)屬稀罕,中(zhong)生(sheng)代(dai)恐(kong)龍(long)(long)足(zu)(zu)印(yin)形(xing)(xing)成化石(shi)堪稱奇跡中(zhong)的(de)奇跡。據(ju)專家考證,永靖縣恐(kong)龍(long)(long)足(zu)(zu)印(yin)化石(shi)形(xing)(xing)成于一(yi)億七千(qian)萬年(nian)前(qian)的(de)侏羅紀或(huo)早白堊紀時代(dai),是(shi)(shi)在(zai)當時泥(ni)(ni)濘(ning)的(de)土地上(shang)(shang)(shang)留下的(de),腳踩下后(hou)(hou)帶出的(de)淤泥(ni)(ni)也保存完好,經過上(shang)(shang)(shang)億年(nian)的(de)演變成了(le)現在(zai)的(de)化石(shi)。專家們根據(ju)足(zu)(zu)印(yin)有從(cong)南往(wang)北(bei),有從(cong)東向西(xi),相互交叉(cha)方向,形(xing)(xing)象地描(miao)繪了(le)當時這(zhe)樣(yang)一(yi)個(ge)場景:在(zai)一(yi)億七千(qian)萬年(nian)前(qian), 黃河還沒有形(xing)(xing)成, 這(zhe)一(yi)帶是(shi)(shi)一(yi)個(ge)古湖(hu)泊(bo)的(de)沙(sha)(sha)灘(tan)。那(nei)時的(de)湖(hu)泊(bo)正(zheng)處于枯水期,沙(sha)(sha)灘(tan)露在(zai)外表上(shang)(shang)(shang),還是(shi)(shi)半潮濕的(de)。龐大的(de)恐(kong)龍(long)(long)家族爬出湖(hu)泊(bo),經過沙(sha)(sha)灘(tan)向岸上(shang)(shang)(shang)走(zou)去,沿山爬行,后(hou)(hou)面兇猛的(de)靠后(hou)(hou)肢行走(zou)的(de)虛骨龍(long)(long)追隨而(er)至。松軟的(de)沙(sha)(sha)灘(tan)上(shang)(shang)(shang)就(jiu)留下了(le)它(ta)們的(de)足(zu)(zu)印(yin),越往(wang)岸上(shang)(shang)(shang)足(zu)(zu)印(yin)越清(qing)楚(chu)。以后(hou)(hou)沙(sha)(sha)灘(tan)進一(yi)步脫(tuo)水、干燥,在(zai)足(zu)(zu)印(yin)的(de)表面形(xing)(xing)成一(yi)層硬殼,等到下一(yi)個(ge)季(ji)節,水位上(shang)(shang)(shang)漲,迅速淹(yan)沒了(le)這(zhe)片沙(sha)(sha)灘(tan),湖(hu)水帶來(lai)的(de)泥(ni)(ni)沙(sha)(sha)覆蓋了(le)足(zu)(zu)印(yin)。
劉家(jia)峽恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)足(zu)印(yin)(yin)地(di)質遺跡(ji)的(de)(de)(de)發掘,引起了國內(nei)外(wai)生物研究(jiu)(jiu)專家(jia)的(de)(de)(de)廣泛關注。2001年3月(yue),在(zai)(zai)國內(nei)被稱為“恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)王”的(de)(de)(de)中(zhong)國科學院(yuan)古脊(ji)椎(zhui)動物與古人(ren)類(lei)研究(jiu)(jiu)所著名恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)專家(jia)趙喜進教(jiao)授(shou)野外(wai)現場鑒(jian)定后認為:“該恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)足(zu)印(yin)(yin)群是一處世界(jie)(jie)罕見的(de)(de)(de),具(ju)有重(zhong)大(da)科學意(yi)義的(de)(de)(de)恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)遺跡(ji)化石(shi)產地(di)。其足(zu)印(yin)(yin)之大(da),類(lei)別和屬種之多,保(bao)存之清(qing)晰完好,堪稱世界(jie)(jie)之最,具(ju)有重(zhong)大(da)的(de)(de)(de)古生物地(di)質遺跡(ji)保(bao)護(hu)價值(zhi)”;2002年4月(yue)份,美(mei)國克羅拉多大(da)學古生物博物館(guan)館(guan)長馬(ma)丁·羅克里教(jiao)授(shou)在(zai)(zai)現場考察研究(jiu)(jiu)過程中(zhong),識別出翼(yi)龍(long)(long)(long)(long)和鳥腳類(lei)恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)足(zu)印(yin)(yin)化石(shi),這在(zai)(zai)我國是首(shou)次(ci)發現;同(tong)年10月(yue),日本福田縣(xian)恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)博物館(guan)博士東洋(yang)一教(jiao)授(shou)一行5人(ren)到恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)足(zu)印(yin)(yin)化石(shi)考察時,驚嘆地(di)說(shuo):“這是我在(zai)(zai)亞洲(zhou)看到的(de)(de)(de)最好的(de)(de)(de)恐龍(long)(long)(long)(long)足(zu)印(yin)(yin),此(ci)次(ci)發現,屬世界(jie)(jie)第一,具(ju)有很高(gao)的(de)(de)(de)科研價值(zhi)”。
劉家峽恐(kong)(kong)龍(long)足(zu)印地質遺跡(ji)的發掘,不僅(jin)具有極(ji)高的科(ke)研和(he)科(ke)普(pu)價(jia)值,也是一處(chu)非常罕見的自然景觀。為了保護(hu)挖(wa)掘恐(kong)(kong)龍(long)足(zu)印化(hua)石潛在的科(ke)研科(ke)普(pu)和(he)觀賞(shang)旅游價(jia)值,于2001年11月(yue)省政府批準建立“劉家峽白堊紀恐(kong)(kong)龍(long)足(zu)印群省級自然保護(hu)區”,12月(yue)國土(tu)資源(yuan)部批準興(xing)建“劉家峽恐(kong)(kong)龍(long)國家地質公園”,規劃投資9600萬元(yuan),建成開放式恐(kong)(kong)龍(long)博物館,將帶著人們走近遠古時代,再現白堊紀恐(kong)(kong)龍(long)生活場景。