Fossil collectors have discovered a completely preserved part of the backbone of a dinosaur that lived on Earth 180 million years ago.
Joe Thompson was searching a quarry near the Cotswolds when he found three intact vertebrae in an ichthyosaur Ophthalmosaurus.
During the Jurassic period, dolphin-like creatures swam in the waters of North America and Europe.
The Greek word for “eye lizard,” a prehistoric beast that weighed 2 tons, went extinct about 145 million years ago.
Joe, 20, from Leamington, Hampshire came across a rare find while searching the area frequently and soon realized he had found something special.
Regarding this discovery, he states: “I regularly look for fossils in different parts of the country. It was found in a large quarry near the Cotswolds, north of Swindon.
“I was walking along that edge and seeing where the big truck was driving.
I was walking around and found these three beautiful Ophthalmosaurus vertebrae captured on video.
“The special thing about them is that they are very well preserved compared to many others.
“I quickly learned that it was a marine reptile and an ichthyosaur, but I didn’t know what it was.”
After packing it up, Joe verified his findings with an expert who was able to identify the fossil.
Joe, who studies paleontology and evolution at the University of Bristol, admitted he was surprised at how wonderful the ruins are.
He states: “This type of vertebrate can be found in certain parts of the UK, but it is well preserved and it is very rare to find one of such high quality.
“I am exhibiting most of the fossils in the collection, but there are some that have proven to be of great scientific importance and are now in the museum.
“I got an ID because the university I’m studying at has some contacts. That’s great.”
Digging at least once a week, Joe has become a mini social media star since he started sharing his finds with the fossil community last year.
He started collecting as a child and now regularly reports unusual discoveries to his TikTok followers.
He added, “When my parents took me to the beach, I was interested in this hobby since I was about 4 or 5 years old. Since then, I have been completely obsessed with it.
“It’s very exciting when I find something old and interesting that no one has ever seen. It’s great for me.
“It’s great to share with people on social media. The whole community around it is great and they really like what I’m doing.
Source: Metro
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a vast amount of experience in covering health news. I am also an author at News Bulletin 247. I am highly experienced and knowledgeable in this field. I am a hard worker and always deliver quality work. I am a reliable source of information and always provide accurate information.
