What secrets lie hidden beneath our feet? For decades, southern England has been a treasure trove for dinosaur enthusiasts, but recent discoveries in Bexhill-on-Sea are painting an even richer picture of the region’s prehistoric past. In a study led by the University of Southampton, researchers have unearthed a remarkable community of meat-eating dinosaurs — tyrannosaurs, spinosaurs, and dromaeosaurs — that roamed East Sussex 135 million years ago.
This discovery marks the first identification of tyrannosaurs in the region’s sediments of this age, offering a fresh perspective on the diversity of Cretaceous ecosystems in southern England. Dr. Chris Barker, a visiting researcher at the University of Southampton and the study’s lead author, highlights the rarity of theropod fossils in the area: “Meat-eating dinosaurs – properly called theropods – are rare in the Cretaceous sediments of southern England. Usually, Isle of Wight dinosaurs attract most of our attention. Much less is known about the older Cretaceous specimens recovered from sites on the mainland.”
Teeth as Time Capsules
The Bexhill-on-Sea dinosaurs are represented by teeth alone, which are often more resilient to the passage of time than bones. These fossils, varying in size, shape, and the structure of their serrated edges, were analyzed using advanced techniques, including phylogenetic, discriminant, and machine learning methods. Collaborators from institutions such as London’s Natural History Museum and Argentina’s Museo Miguel Lillo De Ciencias Naturales contributed to these efforts.
“Dinosaur teeth are tough fossils and are usually preserved more frequently than bone. For that reason, they are often crucial when we want to reconstruct the diversity of an ecosystem,” explains Dr. Barker. The study identified spinosaurus, mid-sized tyrannosaurs, and diminutive Velociraptor-like dromaeosaurs, revealing a dynamic and predatory ecosystem.
Tyrannosaurs in a New Light
Among the findings, the presence of tyrannosaurs is particularly notable. Unlike the massive Tyrannosaurus rex, these earlier relatives were only about a third of its size and likely preyed on smaller dinosaurs and reptiles in their floodplain habitat. The study, published in Papers in Palaeontology, led to the discovery of challenges to existing perceptions about the geographical and ecological spread of this iconic dinosaur group.
Lucy Handford, co-author of the paper and a former Master’s student at the University of Southampton, explains the challenges of classification: “Assigning isolated teeth to theropod groups can be challenging, especially as many features evolve independently amongst different lineages. This is why we employed various methods to help refine our findings, leading to more confident classifications.” Handford believes further reassessment of theropod teeth in museum collections could yield even more discoveries.
The Quarryman’s Contribution
This breakthrough would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of retired quarryman Dave Brockhurst, who has spent three decades uncovering fossils from Ashdown Brickworks. His collection includes thousands of specimens, from tiny shark teeth to partial dinosaur skeletons, many of which are now housed in Bexhill Museum. Among the ten theropod specimens he’s discovered, the preservation of the dinosaur teeth stands out as particularly significant.
“As a child, I was fascinated by dinosaurs and never thought how close they could be,” says Mr. Brockhurst. “Many years later I started work at Ashdown and began looking for fossils. I’m happy with tiny fish scales or huge thigh bones, although the preservation of the dinosaur teeth really stands out for me.”
A Unique Geological Window
Dr. Darren Naish, a co-author of the study, emphasizes the importance of this discovery for understanding the unique geological history of southern England: “These East Sussex dinosaurs are older than those from the better-known Cretaceous sediments of the Isle of Wight and are mysterious and poorly known by comparison. We’ve hoped for decades to find out which theropod groups lived here, so the conclusions of our new study are really exciting.”
The sediment layers in southern England hold global significance due to their age and fossil content. Dr. Neil Gostling, who supervised the project, underscores the role of museums, curators, and collectors in advancing palaeontological research. “This project shows that museum collections, curators, and collectors are vital for pushing forward our understanding of the diversity of dinosaurs and other extinct groups,” he says. He also acknowledges the cooperation of Ashdown Brickworks in preserving the quarry’s palaeontological heritage.
A Glimpse Into the Past
Several of the newly discovered specimens are now on display at Bexhill Museum, offering the public a chance to marvel at these remnants of a bygone era. As Dr. Gostling notes, “200 years after the naming of the first dinosaur, Megalosaurus, there are still really big discoveries to be made. Dinosaur palaeobiology is alive and well.”
The findings from Bexhill-on-Sea not only deepen our understanding of the region’s prehistoric life but also reaffirm the enduring importance of collaboration between researchers, museums, and dedicated fossil hunters in unveiling the mysteries of the ancient world.