LONDON (AP) — An excavation worker at a limestone quarry in southern England stumbled upon a remarkable discovery that has shed new light on the dinosaur inhabitants of the region dating back 166 million years. The find, described as a “dinosaur highway,” consists of nearly 200 tracks unearthed at the Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire in June, following an extensive excavation effort involving over 100 individuals.
Researchers from the universities of Oxford and Birmingham heralded the discovery as significant, providing valuable insights into the Middle Jurassic period. Professor Kirsty Edgar, specializing in micropaleontology at the University of Birmingham, remarked, “These footprints offer an extraordinary window into the lives of dinosaurs, revealing details about their movements, interactions, and the tropical environment they inhabited.”
The tracks reveal a diverse array of dinosaur species, with four sets attributed to sauropods, large herbivorous dinosaurs believed to be Cetiosaurus, reaching lengths of nearly 60 feet. Additionally, a fifth set of tracks belonging to the Megalosaurus, an imposing 9-meter predator distinguished by its triple-claw print, was identified. The Megalosaurus holds historical significance as the first dinosaur to be formally named two centuries ago.
Of particular interest is an intersection point where the tracks of both carnivores and herbivores converge, prompting speculation about potential interactions between the different dinosaur species. Emma Nicholls, a vertebrate paleontologist at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, emphasized the significance of the recent findings in expanding our understanding of prehistoric creatures. She noted, “Scientists have known about and been studying Megalosaurus for longer than any other dinosaur on Earth, and yet these recent discoveries prove there is still new evidence of these animals out there, waiting to be found.”
The rich trove of data captured during the excavation, comprising over 20,000 digital images and 3-D models created using drones, offers unprecedented detail for future research endeavors. Duncan Murdock, an earth scientist at the Oxford museum, highlighted the meticulous preservation of the tracks, enabling a vivid recreation of the muddy lagoon environment in which the dinosaurs roamed. He explained, “The preservation is so detailed that we can see how the mud was deformed as the dinosaur’s feet squelched in and out. Along with other fossils like burrows, shells, and plants, we can bring to life the muddy lagoon environment the dinosaurs walked through.”
The recent findings are set to be showcased at a new exhibit in the museum and will be featured on the upcoming episode of the BBC’s “Digging for Britain” program, allowing a wider audience to appreciate the groundbreaking discoveries made at the Dewars Farm Quarry.
