What's right: UK's largest dinosaur trackway

ARA City Radio

A remarkable dinosaur track way has been unearthed in an Oxfordshire quarry, marking the UK’s largest discovery of its kind. The site features approximately 200 footprints dating back 166 million years, left by two dinosaurs: the plant-eating Cetiosaurus and the meat-eating Megalosaurus. The longest track ways span up to 150 meters, with more tracks possibly hidden underground. Gary Johnson, a quarry worker, first noticed the patterns, realizing their significance. Last summer, over 100 scientists, students, and volunteers excavated the site, revealing five distinct track ways. Four belonged to sauropods, whose elephantine footprints reflect their massive size of up to 18 meters long. The fifth, a three-toed track way, was left by the agile, carnivorous Megalosaurus, measuring 6–9 meters. The site was once a shallow, warm lagoon where mud preserved the footprints, likely buried during a storm. Researchers used 3D modeling and casts to analyze the prints, uncovering unique insights into dinosaur behavior. In one instance, a sauropod’s path was crossed by a Megalosaurus, suggesting dynamic interactions. The discovery offers a rare glimpse into Jurassic life, with discussions ongoing to preserve the site and uncover its remaining secrets.