Ancient Dinosaur Highway Unearthed in Southern England: A 166 Million-Year Journey Back in Time

Environmental studies at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, compared sauropods to contemporary elephants due to their immense stature and plant-based nutrition. He pointed out that the majority of the tracks originated from the hind limbs, remarking that, akin to elephants, the hind feet of sauropods were larger and typically trod over the impressions created by their front feet.

“The general principle of movement is that the quicker the creature is traveling, the more spaced apart the tracks will be,” Tanner, who did not participate in the dig, stated.

The fifth trail featured prints belonging to the Megalosaurus, a large carnivorous dinosaur recognized for its unique three-toed feet. The Megalosaurus is estimated to reach lengths of up to 9 meters (30 feet), and researchers in Oxfordshire discovered footprints measuring 65 centimeters (2.1 feet).

From the footprints, scientists were also able to ascertain the trajectory and velocity at which the dinosaurs were moving. Most of the colossal creatures were traveling northeast at an average speed of approximately 5 kilometers per hour (3 miles per hour), which is similar to a human’s walking pace, Edgar remarked.

Researchers theorize that larger theropods, like the Megalosaurus, were not capable of running, in contrast to their smaller theropod relatives, who might have possessed the ability to sprint at high speeds. Tanner indicated that this theropod appeared to be traversing at a slow speed, as suggested by the footprints.

Researchers observed that the Megalosaurus trail intersected with the sauropod pathways, indicating that the predator passed through the region shortly after the herbivores.

Although it’s challenging to determine the exact direction the dinosaurs were headed, Tanner suggested they might have been moving along the coastline to maneuver around trees or in search of food resources.

The conservation of such an extensive ancient trackway is uncommon and was facilitated by the special conditions of the terrain during this specific epoch of the Jurassic Period.

The unique prints suggest the area was formerly shrouded in soft silt, with the perfect amount of water to maintain the impressions.

Edgar drew a parallel between the site’s ancient setting and the Florida Keys, characterized by its carbonate mud banks and adjacent water source.

The tracks were also promptly concealed, likely due to a storm, which safeguarded them from erosion caused by wind, water, or other animals, as stated by Edgar.

While discoveries of Jurassic bones commonly attract considerable interest, dinosaur tracks offer more precise perspectives into the existence of these extinct creatures, Edgar mentioned. In contrast to bones, which can be relocated to different sites by wind, water, or scavengers, footprints remain fixed in their original locations.

Tracks not only reveal the dimensions of the dinosaurs but also provide insights into their behavior, such as social structures and predator-prey relationships. When well-preserved, the impressions can also illuminate how these beings responded to ecological shifts, according to Tanner.

“It’s akin to a snapshot of the daily life of the (dinosaurs), capturing what they were doing,” Edgar stated.

Throughout the excavation, scientists documented over 20,000 photos of the tracks using aerial drone imaging. The team plans to utilize these photos to develop intricate 3D representations to further explore the interactions and biomechanics of the dinosaurs.

In the upcoming six months to a year, the researchers will endeavor to swiftly assess the gathered data and prepare to disclose their results to the public.

“For the first time, we possess these 3D models, which implies that anyone, once we release them, will have the opportunity to view the site and (its) legacy,” remarked Edgar.

Due to the limited duration researchers had to document the site and avert additional disruptions to the quarry, Edgar pointed out that much of the surface remains uncharted, potentially yielding even more insights about the various creatures that once inhabited the region.

“As quarrying proceeds, for as long as we can, I think we will be persistently assessing and collaborating with the quarry workers as new sections are uncovered,” Edgar explained. “We hope to conduct excavations each summer.”