Introduction: A Remarkable Jurassic Discovery
Archaeologists and paleontologists have unveiled Europe’s longest known dinosaur trackway, a chain of footprints carved into the limestone of an Oxfordshire quarry in the United Kingdom. Dating to roughly 166 million years ago in the Middle Jurassic, this discovery provides a vivid snapshot of dinosaur life in a time when giant herbivores roamed the ancient landscapes of Britain.
The Record-Breaking Trackway
The newly documented trail stretches about 722 feet (220 meters) from the first to the last exposed print, earning its title as Europe’s longest sauropod dinosaur trackway. The footprint sequence comprises nearly 100 individual marks, with each print measuring up to 3.2 feet (1 meter) in length. The sheer scale of the trackway is why researchers are calling it a “dinosaur highway,” a corridor that likely saw repeated use by a group of these colossal herbivores.
Who Left the Prints?
Experts from the Oxford University Museum of Natural History (OUMNH) and the University of Birmingham led the excavation. They believe the prints were made by Cetiosaurus, a long-necked, four-legged sauropod known for towering bodies and sprawling tails. Cetiosaurus roamed during the Middle Jurassic, with estimated lengths of about 52.5 to 59 feet (16 to 18 meters).
The Significance of the Discovery
Dr. Duncan Murdock, Earth Scientist at OUMNH, emphasized the excitement surrounding the find: “What is most exciting about this site is the sheer size and number of footprints. We now have evidence of tens of individuals moving through this area at around the same time, perhaps as a herd.” The presence of multiple trackways suggests social behavior and herd dynamics among sauropods, offering clues about how these giants navigated the landscape, found food, and avoided predators.
How the Footprints Were Found
The footprints were uncovered during routine limestone removal at Dewars Farm Quarry earlier this year. The site has a history with trackway discoveries dating back to the 1990s, and the current excavation marks an ongoing effort that began in 2022. A large team—more than 100 people—participated, revealing four distinct trackways. One of the newly identified trackways might connect to prints from 2022, potentially extending the overall length beyond the current record.
What the Footprints Tell Us About Movement
Researchers analyze footprint size and stride to infer walking speed and gait. The relatively large print size coupled with stride measurements helps scientists estimate how fast these sauropods moved while traversing the ancient terrain. Such data illuminate how Cetiosaurus and its contemporaries could carry out long migrations in search of food and safe pathways, emphasizing the role of environmental conditions in shaping dinosaur behavior.
Context Within the Jurassic Landscape
Dating the trackway to roughly 166 million years ago places it squarely in the Middle Jurassic period, a time when vast swaths of Europe were low-lying and warm, supporting lush vegetation and a diverse ecosystem. The Oxfordshire finds add a crucial piece to the puzzle of sauropod distribution and mobility across the European archipelago, revealing a landscape that could sustain large herds for extended periods.
Looking Ahead
The ongoing excavation at Dewars Farm Quarry promises to yield further insights. Researchers hope to uncover additional trackways, fossilized traces, and perhaps even more evidence of the social behavior that enabled these giant dinosaurs to move as a group. As palaeontologists continue to piece together the life of Cetiosaurus, this site stands as a milestone in understanding Europe’s Jurassic ecosystems.
