Amateur archaeologists discover rare 'dinosaur print'

Archaeology enthusiasts on an afternoon tour of part of the South Wales coastline have discovered what is believed to be the footprint of a dinosaur which roamed the earth more than 200 million years ago. 

Dinosaur footprint [Credit: WalesOnline]

The group, led by Karl-James Langford, founder of Archaeology Cymru, were studying the area around the beach at Sully, when one of them spotted the footprint. 

The area around Sully beach and Bendrick Rock is regarded as one of the most important areas in Britain for dinosaur footprints. Some of them have been removed to the National Museum of Wales. 

But Mr Langford believes his group has identified a new footprint and has referred the find to the geology department at the museum. 

Mr Langford said: “It was exciting when we came across this very new find of a single dinosaur footprint. 

“It is similar to those already known from the coastline and is the imprint of an Anchisauripus foot.” 

Sully beach [Credit: WalesOnline]

He continued: “The Anchisauripus was a small dinosaur no more than the height of a human being, and lived in the Triassic period between 230 to 195 million years ago. 

“The dinosaur lived within a semi-arid landscape, dominated by mud flats and sand dunes, and shallow lakes of land locked water. The dinosaur may have hunted for insects and small lizards.” 

Tom Sharpe, curator of Palaeontology at the National Museum said he would be examining the find. 

Mr Sharpe, who is a regular visitor to Sully beach and Bendrick Rock, said it was still possible to discover new footprints, although many might not be dinosaur footprints, but of other reptiles. 

He said: “What’s significant in Wales are dinosaurs from the Triassic period, just before the Jurassic period. There are sediments on the South Wales coast, especially the Vale of Glamorgan, which are 230 million years old.” 

Author: Peter Collins | Source: WalesOnline [June 15, 2012]