Paleontologists have uncovered a treasure trove of dinosaur tracks in South America. One set of footprints is believed to be the oldest tracks of one species ever found in the southern hemisphere.

The Argentine explorers found over 300 dinosaur tracks in Icla. It's an area of the Bolivian province of Sucre. Initial dating puts the remains at around 144 million years old.

The scientists were led to the site by a local farmer. The farmer had always been curious about the irregular indentations in the rocky hills near his home. Only recently did it occur to him what they might be.

The scientific team says dozens of rare dinosaurs made the prints. One of the reptiles appears to be an Ankylosaurus. Ankylosaurus was an armored herbivore covered with strong knobs and plates for protection. Such ancient evidence of the species has never been found in the southern hemisphere.

(CCTV November 22, 2008)