A remarkable dinosaur fossil has been unearthed on the Isle of Wight, making it the most complete dinosaur skeleton found in the UK in a century. This herbivorous dinosaur, named Comptonatus chasei, was as large as an American male bison and roamed southern England around 125 million years ago. The amazing discovery of this hefty dinosaur sheds light on the ecosystem of southern England during that time period.
The Isle of Wight, which separated from the mainland around 7,000 years ago, has become a hotspot for fossil hunters in recent years. Fossil hunter Nick Chase, who discovered this dinosaur, sadly passed away just before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the species has been named in his honor. The discovery, made by PhD student Jeremy Lockwood and his team, took several years to prepare for analysis, showcasing the dedication and effort put into studying these ancient creatures.
In addition to the discovery of Comptonatus chasei, the Isle of Wight has been home to several other significant dinosaur findings in recent years. The late Nick Chase also uncovered the remains of Europe’s largest-ever land-based predator dinosaur on the island. With eight extinct species named on the Isle of Wight in the last five years alone, it has become a fossil hunters’ paradise.
The latest find on the Isle of Wight highlights the diverse ecosystem that once existed in southern England. The area was home to a variety of dinosaur species, as evidenced by the numerous fossils that have been discovered there. The Natural History Museum describes the Isle of Wight as one of the UK’s richest dinosaur fossil sites, attracting researchers and fossil hunters from around the world.
The recent discovery of the “horned crocodile-faced hell heron” and other large predatory dinosaurs further underscores the importance of the Isle of Wight as a key location for paleontological research. The findings have surprised scientists and researchers, revealing new insights into the prehistoric world and the creatures that once inhabited it. The Isle of Wight continues to be a treasure trove of ancient history, with each new discovery adding to our understanding of the past.
