Jurassic Giant Flying Reptile Unearthed in Oxfordshire
Palaeontologists have uncovered a jaw-dropping discovery in Oxfordshire: the fossilised wing of a massive Jurassic pterosaur. With a wingspan stretching over three metres, this prehistoric beast ranks among the largest ever found from the era in the UK.
Monstrous Wings Uncovered Near Abingdon-on-Thames
The fossil, recovered from a gravel pit near Abingdon-on-Thames, includes a beautifully preserved wing bone found in three pieces. Experts from Portsmouth and Leicester universities have meticulously studied the specimen, revealing it to be an adult ctenochasmatoid—a group known for long, slender wings and fine, bristle-like teeth.
- Species ID: Adult ctenochasmatoid pterosaur.
- Wingspan: Estimated up to 3.75 metres—huge for a Jurassic pterosaur.
- UK First: One of the earliest finds of this pterosaur type in the UK.
- Size Comparison: Jurassic pterosaurs typically had 1.5-2 metre wingspans, dwarfed by later Cretaceous relatives reaching 10 metres.
World-Class Discovery with Huge Implications
Professor David Martill from Portsmouth said, “This specimen is now one of the largest known Jurassic pterosaurs worldwide, beaten only by a Swiss fossil with a wingspan of up to five metres.”
The fossil was stumbled upon by geologist Dr James Etienne in June 2022 while searching for marine reptile remains. The exposed Late Jurassic Kimmeridge Clay Formation revealed a treasure trove of prehistoric life.
Rewriting Jurassic History
This colossal find challenges previous beliefs about the size diversity of flying reptiles in the Jurassic period. It sheds new light on ancient ecosystems, suggesting some Jurassic pterosaurs were far larger than imagined. With ongoing digs and research, more prehistoric surprises are set to take flight — rewriting history from the depths of time.
