Prof. Huh Min, from Chonnam National University, inset photo, has initiated a campaign to have five areas of the southern coastline with thousands of dinosaur footprints listed on the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Natural Heritage list. As seen in the photo, Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, one of the five areas, has an 85-meter-long ornithopod track. / Courtesy of Chonnam National University |
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
A campaign has been started to have five areas of the southern coastline where thousands of dinosaur footprints are to be found listed on the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Natural Heritage list.
The five are Haenam, Hwasun, Boseong, and Yeonsu in South Jeolla Province, and Goseong in South Gyeonsang Province.
If successful, the move will follow the 2007 listing of Jeju Island.
Haenam was the first place in the world where dinosaur, pterosaur and bird tracks were found together. It also has numerous large arthropod tracks. The 7.3-meter long tracks made by a flying reptile are visible at the center of the fossil site, which is listed as Natural Treasure No. 394.
In Hwasun, there are about 1,500 footprints, including those belonging to more than 60 theropods.
On an island off Yeosu are a total of 3,500 dinosaur footprints, including an 85-meter-long track made by an ornithopod. The large number of footprints is thought to show that the southwestern area was primarily covered with mesic forests.
Boseong has 200 fossilized eggs, ranging from 60 millimeters (mm) to 180 mms in diameter, from sauropods and ornithpods. Well-preserved dinosaur bones, and turtle bones and eggs are also at the site.
Goseong has the highest concentration of tracks in the world, including the footprints of 410 individuals in one group. It also has the most abundant ornithopod footprints as well as 139 sauropod footprints.
UNESCO is to start a field study there from Saturday.
Prof. Huh Min, from Chonnam National University and director of the Korea Dinosaur Research Center, is initiating the campaign. He stressed that having a natural heritage is somewhat different from having a cultural site. Korea has eight cultural sites, including old palaces.
``Unlike cultural sites featuring their comparative value to different cultures, the natural sites have to be the `only one' valuable to the world. It has to be academically, culturally, and in every way the best in the world,'' he said.
To receive the UNESCO Natural Heritage listing, support from local residents and the administrations is critical. The preparation committee has established safe and protective pathways for visitors as well as straightened roads to preclude any possible destruction of the sites. ``We have streamlined the region,'' Huh said.
Preparation has been underway for more than three years, and he expects UNESCO inspectors to recognize the value and importance of the ``Korean Cretaceous Dinosaur Coast.''
``We have seen dinosaurs in Western movies such as Jurassic Park and picture books. But here, we also had flying reptiles, and all kinds of dinosaurs walking, drinking, laying eggs and living just like any other creature,'' he said.
Huh was selected as one of the 100 top scientists in the world by the International Biographical Center of Cambridge, England, in 2005; one of the 2,000 Outstanding Scientists of the 21st Century by the same institution in 2003; and one of the Great Minds of the 21st Century by the American Biographical Institute; for his pioneering studies on dinosaurs.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
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