Unearthed Echoes of the Jurassic: Insights from 200 Ancient Dinosaur Footprints Over 166 Million Years Old

Researchers have uncovered the UK’s largest dinosaur trackway site within a quarry in Oxfordshire. Dated to have been formed 166 million years ago, around 200 footprints have been uncovered at the location, intricately crossing the limestone surface. The tracks indicate the movements of two distinct dinosaur species. These species are thought to belong to a long-necked sauropod known as Cetiosaurus and the smaller carnivorous Megalosaurus.
The most extended trackways measure 150 meters, although they might reach much further since only a segment of the quarry has been unearthed. The tracks were initially discovered in 2023 by a quarry employee Garry Johnson, who noticed “unusual bumps” on the terrain while extracting limestone for road building.
In June, around 100 volunteers from the University of Birmingham and the University of Oxford collaborated for a week-long initiative to excavate the tracks and document comprehensive details regarding the extensive site. This finding is particularly significant as it aligns with the 200th anniversary of the Megalosaurus, the first dinosaur ever documented, which was discovered in Oxfordshire in 1824.

Kirsty Edgar, a micropaleontology professor at the University of Birmingham in England who participated in the excavation, stated that there is a longstanding history of remarkable dinosaur tracks and body fossils. The newly found tracks relate to a dinosaur pathway discovered in the same Oxfordshire quarry in 1997, which is currently inaccessible. Therefore, the new pathway will afford researchers the chance to examine previously unattainable data about these vanished creatures.

In total, scientists uncovered 5 extensive trackways. Most footprints were from the hind legs. By examining the footprints, researchers inferred both the direction and velocity of the dinosaurs’ movements. Most of these enormous creatures were heading northeast at an average speed of approximately 5 kilometers per hour (3 miles per hour), roughly similar to a human walking speed.
The preservation of such an expansive ancient trackway is extraordinarily uncommon and was made possible due to the unique environmental circumstances of the Jurassic Period. The clearly defined footprints suggest that the area was previously covered in soft sediment, with just the right amount of moisture to maintain the impressions. The prints were shielded from erosion, probably as a result of a storm.
Utilizing aerial drone technology, the scientists managed to capture nearly 20,000 images of footprints. Using these footprints, 3D models will be constructed, which will afford everyone a glimpse into the heritage of dinosaurs.