Discovery of 'dinosaur highway' from 166 million years ago

Researchers in the UK said on January 2 that they had discovered 200 dinosaur footprints forming straight lines, dating back 166 million years.

Scientists from the University of Oxford and the University of Birmingham in the UK made the surprising discovery at a quarry in Oxfordshire, central England, after a worker accidentally discovered "unusual indentations" while digging clay with a mechanical digger. After examination, the team confirmed that these were dinosaur footprints.

The team of 100 people then excavated about 200 footprints forming five sections of what is known as the "dinosaur highway", with the longest section being 150 meters. Four of the five sections are believed to be footprints of the long-necked dinosaur cetiosaurus, while the remaining one belonged to the 9-meter-long carnivorous dinosaur megalosaurus, Le Monde reported.

Dinosaur footprints discovered at a mine in England

PHOTO: OXFORD UNIVERSITY

The unearthed dinosaur footprints, which date back 166 million years, are believed to be one of the largest dinosaur finds in the UK. The researchers said they carried out the excavation in June 2024.

“Scientists have studied megalosaurus longer than any other dinosaur, but recent discoveries show there are still many things left to learn about this animal,” said paleontologist Emma Nicholls from the University of Oxford.

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The team hopes that studying the newly discovered footprints will provide clues about how the dinosaurs interacted, as well as their size and speed of movement. Paleontologist Richard Butler from the University of Birmingham said it is possible that storms in the area in the past created layers of sediment that covered the footprints, allowing them to remain in shape today rather than being washed away.

Miner Gary Johnson was the first to spot the dinosaur footprints. "They looked so real. It was a really emotional moment," he said.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phat-hien-xa-lo-khung-long-tu-166-trieu-nam-truoc-185250103092642066.htm