A palaeontologist has discovered an enormous dinosaur footprint on a beach on the Isle of Wight.
Wight Coast Fossils guide, Joe Thompson, spotted the 130-million-year-old Iguanodon print at Shepherd’s Chine after storms stripped the beach of shingle.
The three-toed footprint, measuring nearly a metre across, is one of the most striking finds of its kind.
A lucky find
Joe described the discovery as “really lucky”, explaining that natural erosion will eventually wash the footprint away within a few months.
He had been searching for fossilised bones on the beach near Atherfield when he noticed a distinctive “big purple toe” emerging from the shingle.
He told the BBC that “anything that’s that old and that exciting gives you such a rush”.
A glimpse into the past
Iguanodons were large herbivores, growing up to 11 metres long and weighing as much as 4.5 tonnes. Finding such a well-preserved footprint offers a rare opportunity to connect with the prehistoric past.
Joe told the BBC,
“It just makes you think about everything that happened before humans even existed.”
Expert advice for fossil hunters
Joe, who conducts tours for Wight Coast Fossils and has recently launched South Coast Fossils, offers guidance for those who stumble upon similar finds.
He recommends taking a clear photograph of any potential footprint with a recognisable object for scale and sending it to a local museum or expert for identification.
He said,
“It’s a shame they are not completely permanent.
“In the mud, it will only be around for a few months at the most.”
One of the best finds
For Joe, this footprint stands out among his many discoveries. He added,
“It’s probably the best footprint I’ve discovered myself.
“Definitely in the top 10 of all my fossil finds.”
While the footprint will not last forever, it provides a fleeting but remarkable window into the distant past of the Isle of Wight.
Thanks to Lisa for the heads up
Source: BBC
