A remarkable discovery of dinosaur footprints at Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire has expanded our understanding of the “dinosaur highway” from the Middle Jurassic Period, around 166 million years ago. Researchers from the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham uncovered approximately 200 footprints, offering new insights into the movements and interactions of these ancient creatures.
The footprints, found along multiple trackways, include those of the Megalosaurus, a 9-meter-long predator, and the Cetiosaurus, a large herbivorous sauropod that grew up to 18 meters in length. This significant find was initiated by quarry worker Gary Johnson, who noticed unusual bumps on the quarry floor while working, leading to a week-long excavation in June 2024.
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Using modern technologies like drones and digital imaging, the research team created detailed 3D models of the site, allowing for a comprehensive study of the dinosaur footprints. This technological advancement has enabled scientists to analyze the footprints with greater precision compared to the original findings from 1997, which uncovered over 40 sets of prints, some stretching up to 180 meters.
The new trackways will be featured in BBC’s Digging for Britain on 8 January 2025 and showcased in the Breaking Ground exhibition at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. The excavation was funded by several institutions, including the Geologists’ Association and the University of Birmingham.
