In a remarkable discovery that has sent ripples through the palaeontological community, researchers have unearthed massive dinosaur trackways stretching over 150 metres in Oxfordshire, Britain. This extraordinary find offers an unprecedented glimpse into the lives of both predator and prey that roamed the British landscape 166 million years ago during the Middle Jurassic Period.
The Discovery
The excavation at Dewars Farm Quarry revealed five major trackways, including footprints from the fierce 9-metre predator Megalosaurus crossing paths with those of herbivorous Cetiosaurus – massive creatures up to twice that size. The discovery came to light when quarry worker Gary Johnson noticed “unusual bumps” while clearing clay from the quarry floor, leading to a massive week-long excavation in June 2024.
Unprecedented Detail
What makes this discovery truly unique is the level of preservation and the sheer scale of the trackways. Dr Duncan Murdock of Oxford University Museum of Natural History explains, “The preservation is so detailed that we can see how the mud was deformed as the dinosaur’s feet squelched in and out”. This exceptional preservation allows scientists to reconstruct the ancient environment with remarkable accuracy, bringing to life the muddy lagoon that these dinosaurs traversed.
Scientific Significance
The site’s importance extends beyond its size and preservation quality. It provides a rare opportunity to study the interaction between predator and prey in this ancient ecosystem. One area of the site shows carnivore and herbivore tracks crossing over, raising intriguing questions about the nature of their interactions.
Professor Kirsty Edgar from the University of Birmingham emphasises the significance: “These footprints offer an extraordinary window into the lives of dinosaurs, revealing details about their movements, interactions, and the tropical environment they inhabited”.
Modern Technology Enhances Research
While similar discoveries were made in the same area in 1997, this new find benefits from cutting-edge technology. The use of drone photography and 3D modelling has allowed for unprecedented documentation of the site. Over 20,000 images were created of the prints, providing a wealth of material for further study and education.
A Window to the Past
This discovery is particularly significant for the study of Megalosaurus, which was the first dinosaur worldwide to be scientifically named and described in 1824. Dr Emma Nicholls, Vertebrate Palaeontologist at Oxford University Museum of Natural History, notes, “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”.
Public Engagement
For those eager to learn more about this groundbreaking discovery, the BBC’s Digging for Britain team has filmed the excavation as part of a new series. The programme will be available on iPlayer from 7 January and broadcast on BBC2 on 8 January 2025. Additionally, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History will feature the dig in their exhibition “Breaking Ground”, where visitors can view original Megalosaurus fossils, see photographs and video footage from the dig site, and learn about the latest techniques used by palaeontologists to study dinosaurs.
Sources: Major new footprint discoveries on Britain’s ‘dinosaur highway’ (https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-01-02-major-new-footprint-discoveries-britain-s-dinosaur-highway)
