Zambezi Valley braces for more dinosaur excavations

The discovery and excavation of remains of a two-legged dinosaur, that lived 230 million years ago, according to carbon dating in Mbire, has opened floodgates of explorations by archaeologists and local authorities, across the length and breadth of the Zambezi Valley.

Mbire is almost central to the vast valley that stretches from Binga to the north west of  Rushinga to the north east.

The dinosaur named Mbiresaurus Rathi was excavated on the Kadzi River basin, has now been followed by an announcement that there are several other remains in Dande South Safari area, southwest of Mashumbi Pools and Masoka to west of the pools.

There has also been discovery of dinosaur footprints dotted on the Angwa (Hangwa) River basin in Mukanga, south of Chewore National Park, towards Mana Pools.

Here, there are many dinosaur footprints on old rocks on several small streams linked to the Sanyati, Angwa (Hangwa), Kadzi, the Hunyani (Manyame), Musengezi river basins, among others.

Mbire Rural District Council chairman, Alderman Robson Chidongo says the council has now activated its natural resources department to brace for more archaeologists and probably more excavations.

"In the past, the archaeologists have been coming without even informing us and we would find out after the job has been done. Now we have activated our systems and we know of the existence of many footprints that are, a sure case that these animals used to live here.

"Our people know and we also now want the exhibitions after each excavation to be done here. We are prepared to build our own museums here and draw tourism traffic to Mbire," said Ald Chidongo.

Dr Chris Griffin, who excavated the Mbiresaurus Rathi, with a team dominated by American archaeologists, started work in Mbire in 2017 but had not been communicating with any local leadership.

Mbire marketing and development consultant Mr Phineas Mushoriwa, said the council was excited by the first excavation and that it was now pushing for a formal approach by the archaeologists.

"The latest finding of a skeleton that was 97 percent complete, was taken to Bulawayo Museum and not anywhere near Mbire. That makes us very uncomfortable.

"But as we brace for more archaeological findings, we are more alert and they will have to work with us and benefit more because we know some places they don't know.

"We know some places were footprints are dotted that the archaeologists might not know. We are local people and know a lot. We want to work with them and together we will get a lot more than they are getting now."

So far, said Mr Mushoriwa, it is a fact that dinosaur footprints are dotted all over the Zambezi Valley and that they are now extinct.

"That means they are buried somewhere under our soil. The entire Zambezi valley changed years back and I have been in touch with other councils, everyone is getting ready for more excavations,'' he said.

Eight types of dinosaurs are said to have lived in the Zambezi Valley before going extinct, due to several factors centred on climate change.