The Regional Government has taken note of the actions carried out by the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment for the conservation and protection of the Natural Monument «Huellas de Medusas de Constantina» in Sevilla. This site, of extraordinary paleontological value, houses one of the most important sets of fossil footprints in the world.
It is a site of fossil icnites of medusas from the Lower Cambrian, estimated to be 540 million years old, making it one of the oldest known records of organisms of this kind. Its scientific significance has transcended national borders, as 289 large discoidal structures have been documented in this outcrop, some with diameters of up to 120 centimeters, constituting the most numerous and oldest set of its kind found to date.
The site, located on a slope of the private estate ‘El Revuelo,’ on the left bank of the Masacán stream, is a fossil testimony of inestimable value for understanding the evolution of life on the planet. These footprints were imprinted by medusoid organisms in a thin layer of sandstone rich in feldspar, known as arcose sandstone, less than five centimeters thick. Its excellent state of preservation and the abundance of fossil structures make this site a reference in the study of Cambrian paleontology.
The discovery of this site stands out for its richness in icnites and the extraordinary morphology of the fossil impressions, which have allowed the identification of a new zoological genus and species, named Cordubia gigante. This discovery is particularly relevant when compared to similar fossil records in Wisconsin and Utah (United States), Yunnan (China), or Pilbara (Australia), where the documented footprints are significantly smaller in number and size.
The recognition of the value of this site led the Andalusian Government to declare it a Natural Monument in 2019, guaranteeing its protection and conservation within the Network of Protected Natural Areas of Andalusia (Renpa), which includes 311 protected areas and constitutes one of the largest natural heritages in Europe.
Thus, the Andalusian Government has allocated 296,570 euros for the conservation and enhancement of this protected area, allowing the implementation of actions aimed at its protection and dissemination. In this context, cleaning and consolidation work has been carried out at the site, as well as measures to ensure its preservation against erosive factors and possible impacts derived from human activity.
To facilitate controlled access and minimize the impact on the environment, a main walkway, retaining walls, and a parking area have been installed. In addition, safety interventions have been carried out, such as the installation of stone guardrails and the consolidation of water crossings with concrete slabs, ensuring both the protection of the site and the safety of visitors.
The implementation of these measures has allowed the Natural Monument to be accessible for study and dissemination, while preserving its integrity. In this sense, the Andalusian Government has established a visit planning program, which will be open to the public in the near future, with specific criteria that ensure compatibility between the conservation of the site and its educational and scientific use.
One of the most notable results of the conservation efforts has been the discovery of over 200 new fossil footprints that were previously hidden. This increase in the number of documented impressions reaffirms the uniqueness of the site and reinforces its importance in the global paleontological record. These findings have been presented at scientific congresses, such as the Spanish Paleontology Society Conference held in La Coruña in 2024, and have been the subject of various specialized publications, contributing to global knowledge about the evolution of early marine ecosystems.
In this context, the Andalusian Government has promoted a dissemination program that includes the installation of informative signs in the surroundings of the site, facilitating the understanding of the value of this enclave by the public. Likewise, institutional, educational, and outreach visits have been organized, promoting interest in geology and paleontology among the population and promoting the recognition of this site as a reference point for Andalusian natural heritage.