Major Dinosaur Footprint Discovery Unearthed in UK After 166 Million Years

A significant network of nearly 200 dinosaur footprints dating back to the Middle Jurassic period has been discovered at Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, marking the largest such find in the United Kingdom. Researchers from the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham identified the trackways, believed to be around 166 million years old, highlighting footprints from the large carnivorous dinosaur Megalosaurus, alongside various herbivorous species.

The discovery was made by quarry worker Gary Johnson in 2023, who noticed unusual indentations while extracting limestone for roadworks. Following the find, a team of about 100 volunteers and researchers excavated and documented the site in June 2024. This recent excavation linked back to a previously discovered trackway in the same quarry from 1997, which has since been inaccessible.

Among the longest trackways, some measure over 150 meters. The exceptional conservation of the footprints is attributed to ideal conditions of soft sediment and appropriate moisture, allowing detailed impressions to be preserved. Notably, the tracks provide crucial insights into the locomotion and behavior of these prehistoric creatures, with paleontologists comparing the movement of the massive dinosaurs to that of modern elephants.

Using aerial drone photography, researchers captured over 20,000 images of the site to assist in creating detailed 3D models of the footprints. Although part of the surface remains unexplored due to ongoing quarry operations, experts believe further excavation may reveal additional tracks and enhance our understanding of dinosaur life in the Jurassic era.