A worker in southern England has uncovered a “dinosaur highway” with nearly 200 tracks dating back 166 million years.
The discovery was made at Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire and involved a team of more than 100 scientists and researchers, who worked together to unearth and study the ancient footprints. The tracks provide new insights into the Middle Jurassic period, when dinosaurs roamed a tropical environment.
Among the tracks, four sets were made by sauropods, long-necked herbivores that may have been Cetiosaurus, a dinosaur growing up to 18 meters long.
Another set belonged to a Megalosaurus, a fierce nine-meter predator known for its triple-clawed footprints.
Interestingly, some tracks seem to cross paths, raising questions about interactions between these plant-eating giants and the carnivorous Megalosaurus.
Emma Nicholls, a palaeontologist at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, highlighted the importance of these tracks, noting that even after centuries of studying Megalosaurus, new evidence continues to emerge. Researchers used drones and advanced technology to create 3D models of the prints, preserving detailed information for future studies.
The tracks are so well-preserved that scientists can see how the mud was squished under the dinosaurs’ feet, offering clues about their size, walking speed, and movement. Along with fossils of shells, burrows, and plants, the tracks paint a vivid picture of life in a muddy lagoon millions of years ago.
The discovery builds on previous work in the area, where dinosaur tracks were first found nearly 30 years ago. These new findings will be featured in a museum exhibit.
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