2 days ago
A 166-million-year-old "dinosaur highway" with nearly 200 tracks was uncovered at Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, revealing sauropod and Megalosaurus movements and offering insights into the Middle Jurassic period.
Work underway as five trackways of a 'dinosaur highway' are uncovered at Dewars Farm Quarry, Oxfordshire. (Photo: University of Birmingham via AP)
UPDATED: Jan 3, 2025 01:20 IST
A worker at Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire uncovered nearly 200 dinosaur tracks, dating back 166 million years, providing unique insights into the Middle Jurassic period.
The extraordinary find made after a team of more than 100 people excavated the Dewars Farm Quarry, in Oxfordshire, in June expands upon previous paleontology work in the area and offers greater insights into the Middle Jurassic period, researchers at the universities of Oxford and Birmingham said.
Significant Scientific Contributions
The site revealed tracks that make up the so-called highway show paths taken by gigantic, long-necked, herbivores called sauropods, thought to be Cetiosaurus, a dinosaur that grew to nearly 60 feet (18 meters) in length. A fifth set belonged to the Megalosaurus, a ferocious 9-meter predator that left a distinctive triple-claw print and was the first dinosaur to be scientifically named two centuries ago.
Advanced Documentation Techniques
Researchers used drones and over 20,000 digital images to create 3D models, enabling detailed analysis of dinosaur movements and the lagoon environment.
Historical Context
This discovery expands on a 40-track find from 30 years ago, previously considered one of the world’s most significant dinosaur track sites.
The findings will be showcased at the Oxford Museum of Natural History and featured on BBC's Digging for Britain.
(With inputs from AP)
Published By:
indiatodayglobal
Published On:
Jan 3, 2025
