In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from the University of Birmingham and the University of Oxford have unearthed a vast array of dinosaur footprints in an Oxfordshire quarry. The finding, which dates back an astonishing 166 million years, has left experts thrilled and eager to unravel the secrets hidden within the ancient tracks.
The remarkable discovery comprises nearly 200 footprints, meticulously preserved in the mud. What makes this finding truly exceptional is the presence of continuous tracks, dubbed a “dinosaur highway.” Five distinct trackways were identified, with the longest measuring an impressive 150 meters.
Researchers believe that the footprints were made by long-necked herbivorous dinosaurs, specifically the Cetiosaurus, a cousin of the Diplodocus. Another trackway is thought to have been created by the nine-meter-long carnivorous Megalosaurus.
The team of researchers, consisting of 100 members, worked tirelessly to uncover the hidden treasures. The discovery is expected to provide invaluable insights into the behavior, size, and interactions of the dinosaurs.
Dr. Duncan Murdock, an earth scientist at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, expressed his excitement about the discovery, stating that the preservation of the footprints is so detailed that it allows researchers to visualize the environment in which the dinosaurs lived.
Professor Richard Butler, professor of palaeobiology at the University of Birmingham, emphasized the significance of the discovery, highlighting that it will enable researchers to study and make accessible this fascinating piece of our past for generations to come.
