A casual hike in the Italian Alps led to an extraordinary discovery when Claudia Steffensen stumbled upon prehistoric footprints dating back millions of years. While descending a mountain path with her husband last summer, Steffensen noticed unusual circular patterns on a rock slab. Intrigued, she took a closer look, realizing they were fossilized footprints.

Recognizing the potential significance of her find, Steffensen shared a photograph with a photographer friend specializing in nature. This contact connected them with paleontologist Cristiano Dal Sasso at the Milan Museum of Natural History, who then consulted other experts. The footprints, revealed by melting snow and ice, were identified as belonging to a prehistoric reptile from the Permian period, a time predating the dinosaurs.

Subsequent investigations of the site, now dubbed "Rock Zero," have unearthed hundreds more fossilized footprints from various prehistoric reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Researchers also found fossilized plants, seeds, and even imprints of raindrops. This period, between 251 and 299 million years ago, concluded with a catastrophic extinction event that decimated a vast majority of marine and land species. The reptiles that left the largest footprints are estimated to have been up to two or three meters long.

Steffensen expressed pride in her contribution to this significant scientific discovery. Research at the site is ongoing, and some of the unearthed relics are now on display at the Natural History Museum in Milan.