An excavation at Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire (United Kingdom) has unearthed five extensive dinosaur trackways, with evidence of additional traces in the surrounding areas. The longest trackway discovered measures over 150 meters in length, a tangible testament to the giants that once inhabited the region during the Middle Jurassic Period.

Of the five identified trackways, four belong to massive long-necked herbivorous dinosaurs, known as sauropods. These tracks are likely attributed to the Cetiosaurus, a relative of the famous Diplodocus, which could reach up to 18 meters in length.

The fifth trackway was left by a carnivorous predator, the Megalosaurus, recognized by its distinctive three-toed clawed feet. One section of the site shows tracks from these two types of dinosaurs intersecting, raising fascinating questions about how these colossal inhabitants of the past might have interacted, if at all.

Dinosaur trackways Britain
View of one of the dinosaur footprint trails. Credit: Emma Nicholls / University of Birmingham

The Megalosaurus holds a special place in paleontology, as it was the first dinosaur to be scientifically described in 1824. According to Dr. Emma Nicholls, vertebrate paleontologist at the University of Oxford’s Natural History Museum, this discovery demonstrates that despite two centuries of study, much remains to be learned about these creatures.

The discovery of these footprints began serendipitously when Gary Johnson, a quarry worker, noticed irregularities in the terrain while clearing the ground with his machinery. This led to experts being called in, and in June 2024, a joint team from the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham, supported by more than 100 people, began a week-long excavation. During this process, around 200 footprints were uncovered, and detailed 3D models of the site were created using aerial drone photography, ensuring the discovery is documented with unprecedented detail.

Professor Kirsty Edgar, a micropaleontology expert at the University of Birmingham, highlighted that these tracks provide invaluable insights into dinosaur life, revealing details about their movements, interactions, and the tropical environment they inhabited. Moreover, collaboration with Mark Stanway and his team, experts in local geology, was essential to execute such a complex excavation.

Dinosaur trackways Britain
Detail of one of the footprints. Credit: Emma Nicholls / University of Birmingham

It is worth noting that this is not the first time the area has drawn scientific attention. In 1997, over 40 sets of footprints, some up to 180 meters long, were discovered in a nearby limestone quarry. While that excavation yielded key information about Middle Jurassic dinosaurs in the UK, the technological limitations of the time resulted in incomplete records. In contrast, the modern techniques employed in this latest discovery allow for much more comprehensive and detailed documentation.

Professor Richard Butler, a paleobiology expert, emphasized the importance of preserving and studying this site as part of the national geological heritage. Thanks to the 3D models generated, researchers will be able to continue exploring these tracks in the coming years. In total, over 20,000 images were taken, which will serve as a foundation for studies on the size, speed, and potential interactions of these dinosaurs.

The preservation of details, such as marks left by the feet deforming the mud, enables scientists to recreate the swampy environment the dinosaurs once inhabited. According to Dr. Duncan Murdock, this preservation includes traces of burrows, shells, and plants, providing a comprehensive view of the ecosystem of the time.

The University of Oxford’s Natural History Museum will host the exhibition Breaking Ground, showcasing original fossils, photographs, and videos from the site, along with explanations of the latest paleontological techniques.



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