A family walk on the coast of South Wales led to an incredible discovery that surprised paleontologists. What started as a simple shell-hunting trip became a moment of history when Tegan, a 10-year-old, found five dinosaur footprints fossilized in stone. This finding is changing how scientists view the prehistoric life in that area.
Tegan and her mom, Claire, were strolling near the Vale of Glamorgan, looking for shells and fossils. Unexpectedly, they stumbled upon something far rarer. Tegan described her excitement: “We found big holes that looked like dinosaur footprints!” After snapping some pictures and emailing the museum, experts identified the marks as from a long-necked dinosaur.
Experts from the National Museum Wales quickly got involved. Cindy Howells, a paleontology curator, recognized the significance of the footprints. She stated, “These footprints belong to a sauropodomorph, a group of long-necked dinosaurs that roamed the Earth.” The prints, spaced about 30 inches apart, clearly matched the stride of a dinosaur.
The discovery took place at Lavernock Point, an area already famous for its fossils. The unique red siltstone has preserved many prehistoric traces, but this recent find adds a new chapter. “We’ve got five footprints, each about half to three-quarters of a meter apart,” Howells explained. “The consistent distance suggests these weren’t random holes.”
Researchers believe these footprints likely belonged to a *Camelotia*, a large herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the late Triassic period. Standing around ten feet tall and stretching up to sixteen feet long, these early sauropodomorphs left distinctive impressions from both two-legged and four-legged walking. Each new fossil on the Welsh coast helps scientists piece together a clearer timeline of dinosaurs in the area.
Howells noted the importance of these findings, stating that new discoveries occur every five or six years, challenging the older belief that dinosaurs were rare in Wales.
Tegan and Claire still can’t believe their luck. “It’s mind-blowing to think that a massive prehistoric animal once walked here,” Claire reflected. “It’s amazing for Tegan to experience this at such a young age.” This discovery has sparked Tegan’s interest in paleontology and inspired other fossil hunters in South Wales. Howells captured the excitement, saying, “When someone contacts us with a confirmed dinosaur find, it’s always thrilling.”
In a world where curiosity can lead to monumental discovery, these five footprints serve as a reminder of how exploration begins with a keen eye and a sprinkle of luck along the shore.
For those interested in more about dinosaur history and fossil discoveries, museums like the National Museum Wales offer resources and exhibits dedicated to this fascinating field. You can read more about it in [BBC’s coverage of the find](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c049pe7gx6do).
