In June 2024, a spectacular discovery at a quarry in Oxfordshire, England, shed light on a forgotten part of Earth’s history. Researchers from the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham have revealed a huge expanse of ground covered in dinosaur footprints dating back to the Middle Jurassic, around 166 million years ago. This “dinosaur highway”, made up of hundreds of fossil traces, offers a fascinating look at the vanished world of the giants who once roamed our planet.
The historical and geological context
The discovery took place in the Dewars Farm quarry, located in a region known for its wealth of fossils. The soil, dating from the Middle Jurassic, represents a crucial period in the evolution of dinosaurs. At that time, the region was a tropical lagoon where various species coexisted.
This new find is part of a tradition of major discoveries in Oxfordshire. In 1997, excavations in a nearby quarry revealed more than 40 sets of dinosaur footprints, some reaching 180 meters in length. These footprints offered valuable clues about the biodiversity and ecosystem of this period, but the original site is inaccessible today. The new footprints therefore make it possible to fill gaps and exploit modern technologies to further these discoveries.
The recent discovery
Dewars Farm quarry revealed five main tracks dinosaur footprints. Four of these tracks belong to sauropods, gigantic, long-necked herbivores such as Cetiosaurus, which measured up to 18 meters long. These footprints show massive footsteps, suggesting the slow but powerful march of these giants.
The fifth track is that of a predator: the Megalosaurus. This theropod dinosaur, measuring about 9 metersis famous for being the first dinosaur scientifically described in 1824. Its distinctive three-toed and clawed footprints reveal its role as a hunter in this ecosystem. A portion of the site even shows traces of Megalosaurus and a sauropod crossing paths, a fascinating scene that raises questions about possible interactions between predator and prey.
-Technology at the service of science
The discovery benefited from modern tools that allow unprecedented detailed analysis. A team of more than 100 researchers used drones to capture aerial photographs and create high-resolution 3D models of the footprints. These technologies provide an accurate overview of tracks and allow these tracks to be digitally preserved for future research.
This approach marks a significant difference from excavations in the 1990s, where digital technologies were not available. Today, every detail of the footprints, including the deformation of the mud under the weight of the dinosaurs, can be analyzed. This opens new perspectives for understanding the biomechanics and behavior of these animals.
A discovery for the future
This discovery goes beyond the simple fascination with dinosaurs. It constitutes a major advance for science. 3D models created from more than 20,000 images provide an invaluable database for researchers around the world. These digital archives ensure that the prints will remain accessible, even if the site itself were to disappear.
The public recognition of this discovery is also notable. The digs will be featured in a new season of the show Digging for Britainbroadcast on BBC2 from January 8, 2025. In addition, an exhibition at the University of Oxford Natural History Museum, called “Breaking Ground”, will highlight the footprints, original Megalosaurus fossils and techniques modern paleontology.
