What is it?

This is a cast of a footprint left behind by a Megalosaurus and discovered millions of years later in a quarry at Ardley. This dinosaur lived in the Middle Jurassic, about 174 to 162 million years ago. At that time the landscape here featured a shallow, warm sea with some coastal areas. The Megalosaurus walked along the beach of a shallow, tropical lagoon. It was a fortunate coincidence that the prints were not washed away. Perhaps they were quickly covered with sediment blown over them by a strong wind. Thanks to this we know that this giant reptile lived around here. Megalosaurus was a large meat-eating dinosaur which walked on strong hind legs and had much smaller and weaker forelegs, a thick neck and a large head with big pointy teeth. It was the biggest land predator of Jurassic Britain. It was also the first dinosaur to be named, by Oxford professor William Buckland in 1824.

Where is it?

You can find it at Abingdon County Hall Museum

Sessions Gallery temporary exhibition area

When can I see it?

You can see this item up until 29/06/2025

Can I collect it?

Yes! You can collect this item until 29/04/2025