Dinosaur footprints uncovered during works in Oxfordshire
Dinosaur footprints uncovered during works in Oxfordshire
At Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, BAM’s controlled blasting revealed something extraordinary: dinosaur footprints dating back 166 million years. Now investigated and catalogued by experts at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the University of Birmingham, the site represents one of the most significant trackways ever discovered in the UK.
Uncovering the past
Specialist controlled blasting carried out by BAM exposed new quarry surfaces, leading to the discovery of hundreds of prints from sauropods, the giant long-necked herbivores, and the carnivorous Megalosaurus. Together they paint a picture of Oxfordshire during the Jurassic period, when the landscape was a shallow lagoon crossed by giant animals.
Investigating the trackways
The prints have since been meticulously recorded and studied by the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, using more than 20,000 photographs, drone footage and 3D modelling. This work has created a permanent digital record for future research and confirmed the site as one of the largest dinosaur trackways in the UK.
Partnership in action
The discovery reflects a close working relationship between quarry owner Smith & Sons (Bletchington), BAM and the museum teams, ensuring that excavation and scientific investigation could progress side by side.
“It’s remarkable to think that our quarry uncovered the UK’s largest set of dinosaur footprints, hidden for 166 million years. We’re grateful to BAM for their sensitive approach on site, which allowed the footprints to be carefully studied and protected. The close collaboration between Smith & Sons, BAM and the universities ensured the site could be investigated responsibly. It’s a rare reminder that even familiar places can still hold incredible surprises.”
Mark Stanway FdSc MIQ Quarry Manager, Smith & Sons (Bletchington)
Looking ahead
Although the footprints themselves will remain in the quarry, the digital catalogue created by the museum will provide an enduring record of this remarkable site. For BAM, it shows how expertise in specialist works can uncover not only new ground but also new knowledge about the landscapes we work in.
