In an astonishing discovery that has sent ripples through the world of paleontology, the colossal fossilised remains of a prehistoric 'sea dragon' have been unearthed in the most unlikely of places: Rutland Water Nature Reserve.
The monumental ichthyosaur, measuring an incredible 10 metres (33 feet) in length with a skull weighing over a tonne, is the largest and most complete fossil of its kind ever discovered in Great Britain. The find is being hailed as "truly unprecedented" and one of the greatest discoveries in British paleontological history.
A Routine Task Uncovers Ancient Majesty
The incredible story began during a routine landscaping project in February 2021. Joe Davis, Conservation Team Leader at Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, was draining a lagoon for re-landscaping when he spotted what he initially believed were clay pipes protruding from the mud.
"I looked down at what seemed like pipes and thought it was odd," Davis recounted. "But then I saw something that looked more organic, almost like bone. I’ve never seen anything like it."
Following his hunch, Davis contacted the local council, which in turn brought in renowned ichthyosaur expert Dr. Dean Lomax. What they had stumbled upon was far beyond their wildest expectations.
A Prehistoric Leviathan from the Deep
Ichthyosaurs, which translates to 'fish lizards', were formidable marine reptiles that dominated the oceans during the Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago. This particular specimen, a species called Temnodontosaurus trigonodon, was an apex predator of its time.
Dr. Dean Lomax, who led the excavation team, could barely contain his excitement. "It is the most complete and larger than any dinosaur skeleton ever found here, so it's a mega-find for so many reasons," he stated. "This was a top-of-the-food-chain predator, the Rutland sea dragon... an absolutely incredible discovery."
The Delicate Dig of a Lifetime
Excavating the remains was a Herculean task undertaken in September 2021. A dedicated team of paleontologists and volunteers carefully dug around the fragile bones, which were then protected by plaster casts before being lifted out for further analysis.
The skull alone was meticulously excavated in a separate, giant block. The entire process was documented for the BBC Two documentary "Digging for Britain", hosted by Professor Alice Roberts, which will air on Tuesday, January 11th.
Nigel Larkin, a specialist paleontological conservator involved in the project, emphasised the sheer scale: "The block containing the skull weighs a tonne and the block with the body sections is about one and a half tonnes."
From Reservoir to Prehistoric Treasure Trove
Remarkably, this isn't the first ichthyosaur found at Rutland Water. Two much smaller, incomplete skeletons were discovered during the reservoir's initial construction in the 1970s. However, this latest find dwarfs those previous discoveries in both size and significance.
Mark Evans of the British Antarctic Survey, who has studied the species for decades, remarked, "It's a highly significant discovery both nationally and internationally. It's the most complete large ichthyosaur ever found in Britain."
After extensive conservation and study, it is hoped that this magnificent 'sea dragon' will eventually be put on public display, allowing the nation to marvel at this breathtaking window into our planet's deep past.
