Researchers uncovered nearly 200 dinosaur footprints at Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, a find dating to the Middle Jurassic period, 166 million years ago.
Revealed in June 2024, this remarkable discovery includes five distinct trackways, with the longest extending over 150 meters, earning the nickname "dinosaur highway."
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Four of these paths are believed to have been left by massive herbivorous sauropods, likely Cetiosaurus, while the fifth was made by the carnivorous Megalosaurus. The discovery began when quarry worker Gary Johnson noticed unusual bumps in the earth, prompting a large scale excavation.
A team of over 100 scientists, students, and volunteers worked together, capturing 20000 photographs and using drone technology to create detailed 3D models of the site. This find ranks among the largest dinosaur trackway discoveries in the UK and provides a unique glimpse into how these ancient creatures moved and interacted.
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One particularly exciting area shows overlapping footprints of a sauropod and Megalosaurus, suggesting their paths crossed millions of years ago. The site builds on earlier discoveries in the region from 1997, adding to the area’s rich paleontological history. Researchers say the tracks offer valuable clues about dinosaur behavior, including their size, gait, and possible social patterns.
The excavation has drawn widespread attention and is featured in the BBC series Digging for Britain, bringing the story to a global audience. Additionally, an exhibition at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History showcases the findings, allowing visitors to explore this prehistoric world.
This extraordinary discovery not only highlights Oxfordshire’s significance in paleontology but also underscores the collaborative effort behind unearthing history. It invites us to imagine a time when these colossal creatures roamed, leaving their mark for us to uncover millennia later.
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