A remarkable new discovery has uncovered hundreds of dinosaur footprints in an ancient “dinosaur highway” in Oxfordshire, dating back 166 million years to the Middle Jurassic Period.
The find, made at Dewars Farm Quarry, includes five enormous trackways and offers a rare glimpse into the lives of some of the largest and fiercest dinosaurs to roam Britain.
The trackways were found during an excavation led by researchers from the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham.
Four of the trackways were made by gigantic, long-necked herbivores called sauropods, likely from the species Cetiosaurus, which could grow up to 18 meters long.
The fifth trackway belonged to a carnivorous dinosaur called Megalosaurus. Known for its three-toed clawed feet, this predator was about 9 meters long and is famous for being the first dinosaur ever named and described by scientists in 1824.
One of the most exciting features of the site is where tracks from the herbivores and the carnivore overlap, sparking curiosity about whether the animals interacted or simply crossed paths.
The footprints were uncovered by chance when quarry worker Gary Johnson noticed “unusual bumps” on the quarry floor while clearing away clay.
Quarry manager Mark Stanway immediately called in experts, who confirmed the importance of the find.
In June 2024, a team of over 100 people, including scientists, students, and quarry staff, spent a week carefully excavating the site.
Together, they uncovered about 200 footprints, some forming a trackway over 150 meters long. Using drones, the team created detailed 3D models of the site, documenting the prints in extraordinary detail for future research.
These footprints provide a window into the tropical environment these dinosaurs lived in millions of years ago.
Professor Kirsty Edgar from the University of Birmingham explained, “The prints reveal details about how dinosaurs moved, their behavior, and the ecosystem they lived in.”
The preservation is so precise that scientists can see how the mud deformed under the weight of the dinosaurs’ feet. Dr. Duncan Murdock from the Oxford University Museum of Natural History noted, “The level of detail allows us to imagine the muddy lagoon these creatures walked through, alongside fossils like burrows, shells, and plants.”
This isn’t the first major find in the area. In 1997, over 40 sets of dinosaur footprints were discovered nearby, with some trackways stretching up to 180 meters.
However, that site is now largely inaccessible, and since the discoveries were made before modern technology, only limited records exist.
This new find is especially exciting because modern techniques allow researchers to study the footprints in greater depth. The team captured over 20,000 images of the prints, which will help scientists analyze the dinosaurs’ size, walking speed, and interactions.
The excavation and its findings will feature on the BBC’s Digging for Britain, presented by Professor Alice Roberts. The episode will air on BBC2 on January 8, 2025, and will be available on iPlayer from January 7.
Additionally, an exhibition titled Breaking Ground at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History will celebrate the discovery. Visitors can see the original Megalosaurus fossils, images and videos from the excavation, and learn about cutting-edge techniques used in paleontology.
This incredible find not only sheds light on the lives of dinosaurs but also highlights the importance of preserving and studying our natural history. Scientists believe there is still much to uncover, making this an exciting chapter in the ongoing story of dinosaurs.
