Back in 1961, during routine quarrying at J. Suttle Swanage Quarries (the original quarry operated by Chris Suttle) on the Isle of Purbeck. A remarkable discovery was made; a dinosaur trackway preserved in the famous Purbeck Limestone. What began as a typical day of stone extraction turned into the unearthing of the longest dinosaur trackway ever found in the UK.

Discovery in the Purbeck Quarries

The Isle of Purbeck, in southern England, is renowned for its limestone, which has been quarried for centuries to build everything from local cottages to iconic London landmarks.

It was here, in the “Roach” beds of middle Purbeck Limestone, formed around 130 million years ago during the Cretaceous period, that the dinosaur prints were uncovered. The Roach bed, approximately 700 mm high, is split with a hammer and punch (a specific type of pointed chisel) through the bedding planes to create various thickness’ of slabs suitable for paving, cladding, and walling. Among them lay evidence of prehistoric life.

The Trackway of Giants

At first glance, the trackway appeared to belong to a single dinosaur. However, careful plotting and research revealed it was actually created by two different species:

• Iguanodon – a large, plant-eating dinosaur.
• Megalosaurus – a fearsome carnivore.

Each footprint was meticulously plotted, numbered, and lifted from the quarry. The process required both precision and care to preserve these priceless fossils.

From Quarry to Museum

After documentation and removal, the trackway was transported to the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, London, where it remains a key exhibit. Part of the trackway can now be seen in the museum’s permanent Wildlife Garden, allowing visitors from around the world to marvel at the steps of creatures that walked the earth over 100 million years ago.

Proud Heritage

At J. Suttle Swanage Quarries, we are proud to have played a role in preserving and sharing this extraordinary piece of natural history. The story of the Purbeck dinosaur trackway not only connects our quarries with the world-renowned Natural History Museum, but also highlights the unique heritage of the Isle of Purbeck itself.