Remarkable Discovery of a 6ft Skull of a Tyrannosauridae Species Presumed to have Lived in the Ocean, Now 150 Million Years Aged, Retrieved from a Cliffside
From Sea-Monster Hunters to History Makers
April 2022 brought an exhilarating find for Phil Jacobs, a British artist and fossil enthusiast, along Dorset's Jurassic Coast. His discovery, a snout protruding from the sand filled with razor-sharp teeth, was no ordinary rock—it was the grisly snout of a pliosaur, a formidable marine reptile referred to as the "ocean T-Rex."
This treasure trove of CT scans, bone fragments, andPhillips' keen eye paved the way for uncovering a 6ft-long skull, potentially belonging to an uncharted species. This colossal skull, dating back 150 million years to the Jurassic period, belonged to a fearsome creature that governed the ancient oceans.
Pliosaurs have been whispered about as the oceanic counterparts of T-Rex, possessing massive heads, short necks, and conical, razor-sharp teeth that could easily rival a T-Rex's bite force. The incredible preservation of this skull, with every bone intact and perfectly meshed upper and lower jaws, makes it a prize for scientists eager to dive deep into these ancient sea monsters' anatomies.
Racing Against Time
The discovery begins with Phil Jacobs' keen eye and a casual beach stroll near Kimmeridge Bay. What initially appeared as a 16-inch fossilized snout soon turned out to be a game-changer. Realizing its importance, he marked the spot with a piece of wood and hastily alerted Steve Etches, a celebrated paleontologist at the Etches Collection Museum of Jurassic Marine Life.
The team, consisting of Etches and fellow experts, returned to the beach and traced the snout's origin to a crumbling cliff face, where the rest of the skull was still wedged halfway up. The team's daunting task was to carefully excavate the fossil, hanging from ropes and chiseling away at the soft mudstone to free the long-lost treasure, all while fighting against the ruthless ticking clock.
Erosion constantly threatens the Jurassic Coast, ripping away layers of history and putting fossils like the pliosaur skull at risk. The team's diligent efforts subjected them to the complexity of the ecosystem, as well as the fragility and urgency of preserving history.
A New Species on the Horizon?
The skull's size is not the only aspect that sets it apart; it also harbors clues about pliosaurs and their evolution. One tantalizing feature is a high head crest, not common among all pliosaur species, potentially hinting at a new species altogether. Steve Etches likens the find to "one of the best fossils I've ever worked on," praising its completion and level of preservation.
This stunning skull offers scientists a unique opportunity to peer into the lives of prehistoric marine creatures better than ever before. The skull's features suggest the pliosaur could have stretched up to 10-12 meters in length, with a bite force on par with T-Rex's, able to crush bones with ease.
Evidence from other pliosaur fossils indicates their carnivorous tendencies; battle scars from other pliosaurs hint at their legendary appetite for their own kind. With 130 teeth lining their crocodile-like jaws, these beasts earned their fearsome reputation as the rulers of the Jurassic oceans.
Brushing Away Myths About Pliosaurs
Although these fearsome creatures appeared shark- or crocodile-like, their true nature reveals a more complex tapestry. The high head crest might have served a purpose beyond intimidation, such as aiding mating displays or acting as sensory organs to help them detect prey in the murky seas of the Jurassic.
This exciting discovery sheds light on the incredible diversity among pliosaurs, challenging the assumptions built around these awe-inspiring predators. No two pliosaurs may have been the same, suggesting unprecedented adaptability in the order.
The Jurassic Coast: A Fossil Hunter's Paradise
The Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is adored by paleontologists and history buffs alike for its delicate coastline and rich treasure trove of prehistoric fossils. Ranging from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods, the coast's rock strata tell the tale of a vibrant and ever-changing ecosystem teeming with life.
The Etches Collection Museum, founded by Steve Etches himself, lies at the heart of this fossil fever. Home to an extensive collection of Jurassic marine creatures, the museum's pièce de résistance is now the newly discovered pliosaur skull, a testament to the region's rich history and the ongoing tenacity of its inhabitants.
A Dynamic Duo Strikes Again
The dynamic duo behind the monumental discovery includes Phil Jacobs, with his keen eye for fossils, and Steve Etches, a self-taught paleontologist with years of experience scouring the Jurassic Coast. Their unusual partnership gave birth to an incredible discovery, further fueling curiosity about the creatures of the prehistoric past.
A Scientific Goldmine
The colossal skull is no mere museum attraction—it's a treasure trove of data for researchers eager to explore the secrets of pliosaurs. The incredibly well-preserved condition allows scientists to dive deep into aspects of the creature's biology, from sensory systems to feeding habits.
One such facet is the high head crest, which might shed light on social behaviors, sensory adaptation, or even a glimpse into the creature's preferences and interactions. The skull's impressive size reveals clues about the food web it occupied, helping scientists understand the complexity of the Jurassic oceans and the kings that ruled them.
Saving the Past from the Sea
The Jurassic Coast's erosion, while providing tantalizing glimpses of the past, also puts vulnerable fossils such as the pliosaur skull at risk of being washed away. The discovery serves as a stark reminder of the crucial importance of preserving such historical sites, while also emphasizing the tireless dedication of institutions like the Etches Collection.
Bringing the Past to Life
The incredible pliosaur skull now resides on prideful display at the Etches Collection Museum, drawing both curiosity and admiration from visitors and researchers alike. The bustling museum strives to breathe life into the prehistoric world, providing unique and valuable insights into the lives of these ancient creatures while inspiring both locals and tourists alike.
The discovery's impact was further cemented when BBC graciously showcased it in the "Attenborough and the Jurassic Sea Monster" documentary, garnering widespread attention and acclaim for the bold participants in this historical event.
Looking Ahead
This astonishing find offers a unique opportunity to reevaluate our understanding of pliosaurs and provides essential insights into the marine ecosystem of the Jurassic era. The possibility that it may represent an undiscovered species adds to its scientific significance, potentially reshaping our knowledge of marine reptile evolution and diversity.
The remarkable discovery also highlights the power of passion, curiously exploring the world, and seeking answers to age-old questions. Who knows what other secrets the Jurassic Coast is keeping, waiting for the next intrepid explorer to uncover them?
- In addition to revealing insights about the ancient oceans, the discovery of the pliosaur skull may also have implications for medical-conditions that affect the structure and evolution of species' heads and sensory organs.
- Beyond the thrill of sports and the chase of winning, the exhilarating find of the pliosaur skull serves as a reminder that similar exciting discoveries can be made in the realms of science, especially space-and-astronomy and historical fossil hunting.
