Great Dinosaur Discoveries

The United Kingdom has a long and illustrious history when it comes to dinosaur discoveries. It is home to some of the most important paleontological discoveries ever made, many of which have shed new light on the prehistoric world. From ancient sea reptiles to the mighty sauropods, the UK has been home to some of the greatest dinosaurs to ever have roamed the Earth. Here, we take a look at some of the most significant dinosaur discoveries made in this country.

Mary Anning’s Ichthyosaur

The first of the UK’s great dinosaur finds was made in 1820, when Mary Anning discovered the first complete ichthyosaur fossil in Lyme Regis, Dorset. This was the first time a fossil of such a large reptile had been found and it revolutionised our understanding of the prehistoric world. Other significant finds followed in the 19th century, such as the first complete fossil of a plesiosaur, as well as a variety of dinosaur remains.

“Waterousia”

More recently, a number of important dinosaur finds have been made in the UK. In 2012, the remains of a new species of dinosaur were discovered in Scotland. Named the ‘Waterousia’, this new species of sauropod was the first of its kind to be discovered in the UK. The fossilised bones of the dinosaur were found in the Isle of Skye and have since helped to shed light on the evolution of sauropods.

Strathdon Ankylosaur

Another significant dinosaur discovery was made in 2019, when the remains of a new species of ankylosaur were unearthed in Scotland. This new species has been dubbed the ‘Strathdon ankylosaur’ and is the first of its kind to be found in the UK. The fossilised remains of this dinosaur have since provided important insights into the evolution of ankylosaurs.

The Isle Of Wight Daspletosaurus

Finally, one of the most important dinosaur discoveries of all time was made in England. In 2012, the remains of a new species of theropod dinosaur were found in the Isle of Wight. This new species has been named the ‘Daspletosaurus’ and is the first of its kind to have been discovered in the UK. It has since provided paleontologists with invaluable insight into the evolution of theropods.

The UK has been home to some of the most significant dinosaur discoveries of all time. From Mary Anning’s ichthyosaur find to the ‘Daspletosaurus’, these discoveries have helped to revolutionise our understanding of the prehistoric world. The UK’s greatest dinosaur finds have provided us with a unique window into the evolution of these ancient creatures, and have enabled us to gain an insight into the lives of the dinosaurs that roamed the Earth millions of years ago.