135-Million-Year-Old Tyrannosaur Teeth Unearthed in UK

London, 30 Dec (ONA) --- A groundbreaking study by the University of Southampton has uncovered evidence of diverse meat-eating dinosaurs in East Sussex, the United Kingdom (UK),135 million years ago.

Published in Papers in Palaeontology, the research identified fossilized teeth from tyrannosaurs, spinosaurs, and dromaeosaurs (Velociraptor-like theropods) in the Bexhill-on-Sea area.

This marks the first identification of tyrannosaurs in sediments of this age and region. Led by Dr. Chris Barker, the team employed advanced methods, including machine learning, to analyze the teeth, which offer crucial insights into ancient ecosystems. These mid-sized tyrannosaurs, a third the size of T. rex, likely preyed on small dinosaurs and reptiles.

This study highlights the importance of museum collections and dedicated collectors in expanding our understanding of prehistoric life,” said Dr. Darren Naish, a co-author.

The findings shed light on the lesser-known Cretaceous ecosystems of mainland southern England, complementing discoveries from the Isle of Wight and promising further revelations from reexamined collections.

---Ends/Thuraiya/AG