SEAToday.com, London – Researchers from the University of Oxford and Birmingham have revealed an extraordinary discovery in a limestone quarry in Oxfordshire, southern England. Hundreds of dinosaur footprints, dating back 166 million years, were found at Dewars Farm Quarry, including nearly 200 footprints forming what is referred to as a "dinosaur highway."

"These footprints provide remarkable insights into dinosaur life, showcasing how they moved, interacted, and the tropical environment they inhabited," said Kirsty Edgar, a professor of micropaleontology at the University of Birmingham.

The footprints were uncovered by a team of over 100 people in June. This discovery extends previous paleontological studies in the area and offers new information about the Middle Jurassic period.

Four trackways were attributed to sauropods, large herbivorous dinosaurs with long necks, likely Cetiosaurus, which could grow up to 18 meters. Another set of tracks was identified as belonging to Megalosaurus, a 9-meter-long carnivorous dinosaur known for its distinctive three-clawed footprints. Interestingly, Megalosaurus was the first dinosaur to be scientifically named nearly 200 years ago.

The site has sparked speculation about potential interactions between herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs.

"Although Megalosaurus has been studied longer than any other dinosaur, this discovery proves there’s still much to learn about this species," said Emma Nicholls, a paleontologist at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Decades earlier, another quarry in the same area revealed 40 sets of dinosaur footprints, making it one of the most scientifically significant dinosaur track sites. However, that site is now difficult to access, and photographic documentation is scarce, as the discovery predated the era of digital cameras and drones.

This summer, researchers leveraged modern technology, capturing over 20,000 digital images and using drones to create 3D models of the footprints. This advanced documentation supports further research, providing insights into the dinosaurs' size, walking patterns, and movement speeds.

"The preservation is so detailed that we can observe how the mud deformed as the dinosaurs’ feet pressed in and lifted out," explained Duncan Murdock, a geologist at the Oxford Museum. "With additional fossils such as shells, burrows, and plants, we can reconstruct the muddy lagoon environment where these dinosaurs once roamed."