Britain's largest ever 'Sea Dragon' fossil discovered in Rutland
It is the biggest and most complete skeleton of its kind found to date in the UK
Last updated 10th Jan 2022
A fossil of Britain's largest ever ichthyosaur, or 'sea dragon,' has been found in the UK's smallest county, Rutland.
The discovery was made at the Rutland Water Nature Reserve, during a routine draining of a lagoon island in February 2021.
It is the biggest and most complete skeleton of its kind found to date in the UK and is also thought to be the first ichthyosaur of its species (called Temnodontosaurus trigonodon) found in the country.
Conservation team leader Joe Davis, who made the discovery, said: “The find has been absolutely fascinating and a real career highlight.
"It’s great to learn so much from the discovery and to think that this amazing creature was once swimming in seas above us, and now once again Rutland Water is a haven for wetland wildlife albeit on a smaller scale!”
The ichthyosaur is approximately 180 million years old and, with a skeleton measuring around 10 metres in length and a skull weighing approximately one tonne, it is the most complete large ichthyosaur ever found in Britain.
it was dug out by a team of experts in August and September by a team of expert palaeontologists assembled from around the UK.
Dr Dean Lomax, a palaeontologist and a Visiting Scientist affiliated with the University of Manchester, who has studied thousands of ichthyosaurs and named five new species in the process, said: "It was an honour to lead the excavation. Britain is the birthplace of ichthyosaurs – their fossils have been unearthed here for over 200 years, with the first scientific dating back to Mary Anning and her discoveries along the Jurassic Coast.
"Despite the many ichthyosaur fossils found in Britain, it is remarkable to think that the Rutland ichthyosaur is the largest skeleton ever found in the UK.
"It is a truly unprecedented discovery and one of the greatest finds in British palaeontological history."
In order to preserve the precious remains, Anglian Water is seeking heritage funding. This will also ensure that it can remain in Rutland where its legacy can be shared with the general public.
Chief Executive, Peter Simpson, said: “As a water company we have a role to bring environmental and social prosperity to our region. Which is why the correct preservation and conservation of something so scientifically valuable and part of our history, is as important to us as ensuring our pipes and pumps are fit and resilient for the future.
We also recognise the significance a find like this will have for the local community in Rutland. Our focus now is to secure the right funding to guarantee it’s legacy will last into the future.”