A worker digging in a limestone quarry in southern England recently uncovered a stunning find whimsically labeled a “dinosaur highway.” Nearly 200 fossilized tracks, dating back an estimated 166 million years, are offering paleontologists a rare glimpse into the Middle Jurassic Period.
The discovery at the Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire reveals the paths of giant dinosaurs that once roamed the area.
Among the tracks are those of a 60-foot-long herbivorous sauropod and a set of triple-claw prints believed to belong to the carnivorous Megalosaurus.
Centuries ago, the Megalosaurus was the first dinosaur to be given a scientific name.
“These footprints offer an extraordinary window into the lives of dinosaurs, revealing details about their movements, interactions, and the tropical environment they inhabited,” said Kirsty Edgar, a micropaleontology professor at the University of Birmingham.
Unlike past discoveries, researchers –– who documented their findings in June –– were able to use drones to capture thousands of images.
It’s a significant leap forward from 1997, when a previous excavation in the same area revealed 40 tracks but lacked the photographic tools to document them thoroughly.
Experts are now analyzing the tracks to learn more about how these massive creatures moved and how large they were.
A future public exhibit will feature photos and videos from the dig.
