Spectacular dinosaur tracks discovered in England

The fossilized footprints of carnivores and herbivores are about 166 million years old, the universities of Oxford and Birmingham announced on Thursday. The researchers report that the longest continuous track is more than 150 meters long. It is probably the largest find of its kind in Britain.

Four of the five tracks discovered are believed to be from a long-necked herbivorous dinosaur, most likely a Cetiosaurus. According to the University of Birmingham, the fifth track likely belongs to a nine-meter-long carnivorous Megalosaurus, known for its distinctive three-toed and clawed feet.

Largest site of dinosaur tracks in the world?
“It’s rare to find them in such numbers in one place, and it’s also rare to find such extensive tracks,” says Emma Nicholls of the University of Oxford’s Museum of Natural History. The area could be one of the largest sites of dinosaur tracks in the world, she said.

Footprints discovered last summer
A 100-strong team led by scientists from Oxford and Birmingham uncovered the tracks during a week-long dig in June. The experts took 20,000 photos of the footprints and used aerial drone footage to create detailed 3D models of the site. The researchers hope to gain insight into the interactions between the dinosaurs, their size and how fast they moved.

Quarry workers began excavations
The dig was prompted by the vigilance of quarry worker Gary Johnson, who encountered “unusual bumps”. “It was so surreal, a very exciting moment,” he said.