Researchers have uncovered approximately 200 dinosaur footprints from the Middle Jurassic era at Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, southern England. These findings, dating back 166 million years, provide new insights into the movements and behaviors of dinosaurs such as Megalosaurus and Cetiosaurus. According to a statement from the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham, five extensive trackways were identified, with one stretching over 150 meters. Four tracks were attributed to sauropods, herbivorous dinosaurs up to 18 meters long, likely Cetiosaurus. Another track was linked to the carnivorous Megalosaurus, a nine-meter-long predator known for its three-toed footprints. This discovery raises questions about potential interactions between herbivores and carnivores, as their tracks intersected in one area. Megalosaurus, the first dinosaur scientifically named in 1824, has long fascinated paleontologists, and these findings further underscore its historical and scientific significance.

The excavation was initiated after a quarry worker, Gary Johnson, noticed peculiar surface patterns while preparing the quarry floor. More than 100 researchers collaborated on the site, leading to the identification of the tracks. Emma Nicholls, a vertebrate paleontologist at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, emphasized that the discovery illustrates how even well-studied species like Megalosaurus can yield new evidence. The footprints, preserved in clay, provide an invaluable record of dinosaur locomotion and habitat during the Jurassic period. Experts noted that these revelations could enhance understanding of ancient ecosystems and contribute to broader paleontological studies. The meticulous analysis of these trackways is expected to offer unprecedented insights into the lives of dinosaurs and their interactions within shared environments.