The Dinosaur Highway

This morning, a report published by CNN caught my attention. Scientists have discovered a "Dinosaur Highway"—a path used by massive dinosaurs to travel in groups 166 million years ago. This highway is located at the Derves Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, England. The discovery began when quarry worker Gary stumbled upon large footprints during excavation work. Subsequently, a team of 100 volunteers from the University of Birmingham and the University of Oxford unearthed 200 enormous footprints. It didn’t take long to identify these as dinosaur tracks, and the site was named the "Dinosaur Highway."

Unlike other Jurassic pathways discovered globally, this highway is unique for being the longest trackway identified to date. Even more significant is that this discovery coincides with the 200-year anniversary of humanity’s awareness of dinosaurs, first recognized in Oxfordshire in 1824.

Professor Kirsty Edgar, a micropaleontology expert from the University of Birmingham, was part of the excavation team. She described the highway as thrilling evidence of the prolonged presence of dinosaurs in the region, reinforcing its rich prehistoric legacy. Oxfordshire has yielded numerous dinosaur fossils in the past, but this discovery stands out due to its scale and implications.

In 1997, another dinosaur trackway was discovered in this quarry, although it was much smaller. Scientists believe there was a connection between that earlier path and this newly found highway. Advancements in technology have made it possible to study the recent trackway in greater depth, offering fresh insights into the habits, diets, movement, and environmental adaptations of these prehistoric giants.

During the excavation, scientists uncovered five large trackways of dinosaur footprints. One trackway revealed footprints spaced over a stretch exceeding 150 meters (492 feet), providing valuable clues about the dinosaurs' massive size and speed. From the direction and spacing of the footprints, researchers deduced that the dinosaurs were moving northward at a speed of approximately 5 kilometers per hour. The absence of further footprints makes it challenging to determine where they headed next, but it suggests they were roaming in search of food.

The tracks also offer insights into the region's ancient environment, which was likely covered with soft sediments and surrounded by ample water. According to Professor Edgar, the footprints were probably buried by a storm, preserving them for millions of years by protecting them from erosion caused by wind, water, or other creatures.

While dinosaur bones have been discovered in abundance, these Jurassic footprints carry a different kind of value. Edgar emphasized that bones, though significant, do not always pinpoint the exact location of a dinosaur's habitat. They may have been transported by water, wind, or predators. However, footprints remain fixed, directly indicating the presence and behavior of dinosaurs in the area. These tracks not only reveal their size but also shed light on their social behaviors, such as group travel, collective hunting, and their adaptability to environmental changes.
Source: CNN