A major discovery at Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, England, revealed nearly 200 dinosaur footprints dating back 166 million years to the Middle Jurassic Period. The site, nicknamed “dinosaur highway,” is the largest known track site in the UK. Excavations in 2024, involving volunteers from the University of Birmingham and the University of Oxford, uncovered five trackways, including footprints from sauropods and Megalosaurus. The well-preserved tracks provide valuable insights into dinosaur behavior, locomotion, and interaction.

Credits: BBC

200 Dinosaur Footprints Discovered on ‘Dinosaur Highway’ in Oxfordshire

In a groundbreaking discovery, nearly 200 dinosaur footprints, dating back 166 million years to the Middle Jurassic Period, have been uncovered at Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, England. The discovery, made in 2023 by quarry worker Gary Johnson, was initially noticed when he observed “unusual bumps” on the ground while extracting limestone. The site has been dubbed the “dinosaur highway” due to the extensive paths left by these prehistoric creatures. Notably, this is the largest known dinosaur track site in the United Kingdom.

100 Volunteers Uncover Dinosaur Tracks on Megalosaurus Anniversary

The excavation of the tracks involved over 100 volunteers from the University of Birmingham and the University of Oxford, who spent a week in June 2024 meticulously uncovering the tracks and documenting the site. The discovery is particularly significant because it coincides with the 200th anniversary of the first dinosaur, Megalosaurus, being described in Oxfordshire in 1824.

New Dinosaur Tracks Link to Historic 1997 Discovery, Says Expert

Kirsty Edgar, a professor of micropaleontology at the University of Birmingham, emphasized the long-standing legacy of dinosaur fossil discoveries in the area, making this find all the more exciting. The newly discovered tracks are connected to a previous dinosaur path found at the same quarry in 1997, although the older site is no longer accessible. This new trackway offers a unique opportunity for scientists to study the movements, behaviors, and social structures of these extinct animals with the aid of modern technology.

Massive Dinosaur Tracks Reveal Sauropods Likely Linked to Elephants

The excavation revealed five trackways, with the longest measuring over 150 meters (492 feet). Four of these pathways contained tracks from sauropods, large herbivorous dinosaurs with long necks and tails. The tracks likely belong to Cetiosaurus, a species that could grow up to 18 meters (59 feet) in length. The largest footprints measured approximately 90 centimeters (35 inches) long. Lawrence Tanner, a paleoecologist from Le Moyne College in New York, compared the sauropods to modern elephants, noting that the tracks were primarily from the hind legs, which were larger than the front legs, similar to the way elephants move.

Megalosaurus Footprints Suggest Predator Followed Herbivores in Slow Pursuit

The fifth trackway contained footprints from Megalosaurus, a carnivorous dinosaur that could reach lengths of up to 9 meters (30 feet). The footprints of the Megalosaurus, measuring 65 centimeters (2.1 feet), suggested a leisurely pace, as larger theropods like Megalosaurus were not built for running, unlike their smaller relatives. The paths of the sauropods and Megalosaurus intersected, indicating that the predator likely followed the herbivores, perhaps in search of prey.

Credits: Thought Co

Storm-Preserved Dinosaur Tracks Offer Rare Insights into Behavior and Interactions

The tracks were preserved in soft, water-saturated sediment, which helped retain the detailed impressions. A storm likely covered the tracks quickly, protecting them from erosion. Edgar compared the environment to the Florida Keys, with carbonate mud banks and a nearby water source. Unlike bones, which can be displaced, footprints remain at the exact location where they were made, providing valuable insight into the dinosaurs’ behavior, group dynamics, and predator-prey interactions.

To document the site, researchers used aerial drone photography, capturing over 20,000 images of the footprints. These images will be used to create 3D models of the trackways, allowing scientists to further analyze the biomechanics of the dinosaurs. The data will be analyzed over the coming months, with findings expected to be shared with the public soon. Despite the limited excavation time, Edgar noted that parts of the site remain unexplored, potentially offering even more insights into the ancient creatures that once roamed the area.