Dinosaur Footprints Found in Oxfordshire Quarry Provide New Insights into Jurassic Era

TDT | Manama
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A remarkable discovery of hundreds of dinosaur footprints from the Middle Jurassic period has been made at Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, Southern England. The find provides a fascinating glimpse into the movement and behavior of dinosaurs that lived around 166 million years ago, including both herbivorous and carnivorous species.

The excavation team, comprising researchers from the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham, uncovered five extensive trackways, one of which spans over 150 meters. Among these tracks, four were identified as belonging to massive sauropods, long-necked herbivores believed to be Cetiosaurus, relatives of the well-known Diplodocus. These colossal creatures could grow up to 18 meters long.

The fifth trackway belonged to the carnivorous theropod Megalosaurus, a fearsome predator whose three-toed, clawed footprints stand out. This discovery is notable not only for the rare preservation of these tracks but also for the opportunity it provides to study the behavior of these prehistoric animals.

An intriguing feature of the find is the overlap in tracks of the Megalosaurus and the sauropods, suggesting that the two species may have interacted or shared the same environment at some point.

Megalosaurus, which was the first dinosaur to be scientifically described in 1824, remains an iconic species in the study of dinosaurs. This new discovery reignites interest in this pivotal predator, which has long been central to scientific research and public fascination.

Emma Nicholls, vertebrate palaeontologist at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, commented on the significance of the find, saying, “We’ve known about Megalosaurus for nearly two centuries, yet this discovery highlights that there’s still so much more to learn from these ancient creatures.”

This excavation enriches our understanding of Jurassic dinosaurs and their environment, shedding new light on the behaviors and interactions of these prehistoric giants.