Yep. Britain has just unearthed its largest-ever dinosaur footprint site in Oxfordshire county. A trackway with 200 dinosaur footprints, dating back 166 million years, was found in a quarry. These tracks, left by a sauropod – remember those long-necked, plant-eating giants from Jurassic Park? – and a megalosaurus – a smaller carnivorous dino – stretch across the quarry’s limestone floor. The longest trackway measures a whopping 150 m!
I did this! So, how did this all happen?
It all started with Gary Johnson, a worker at Dewars Farm Quarry. While operating a digger, he noticed an unusual bump in the ground. Initially thinking it was just a ridge, he kept encountering the same ‘hump’ over several metres. That’s when it clicked – he might be uncovering dinosaur footprints!
Then?
Then, this summer, over 100 scientists, students, and volunteers joined the excavation. The team uncovered five distinct trackways. Four were made by sauropods, their footprints resembling elephant tracks – just much larger, and the other of a megalosaurus.How were these tracks preserved?
These dinosaurs roamed a warm, shallow lagoon, and their footprints were preserved when sediments likely covered them after a storm, protecting them from erosion. The team captured over 20,000 photos to create 3D models, providing a fascinating glimpse into the creatures’ movements and environment.So what now? They’ll go into a museum?
The scientists are working with local authorities and quarry owners to ensure the site’s preservation. And who knows? There might still be more hidden prehistoric prints just waiting to be discovered.
Any chance of a temple lying below the dinos?
Oh, shut up.
Text: Team Sunday ET