A piece of history returns to its roots as a fragment of the Swindon Stegosaur, a significant discovery from 1874, is reunited with Wiltshire’s rich heritage. This incredible find, which includes a hip, back leg, and parts of its backbone, has been a source of fascination for many years and provides valuable insight into this prehistoric creature.
The first stegosaur ever described by scientists, discovered in a clay pit in Swindon in 1874, has been a source of fascination for many years. Its spectacular remains are currently on display at the ‘Natural History Museum’ in London, but a little piece of this incredible discovery has now been returned to its roots in Wiltshire.
The Stegosaurus was a plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Jurassic period, around 155 to 152 million years ago.
It was characterized by its distinctive row of plates running down its back and spikes on its tail.
These plates were made of bone and were thought to be used for defense against predators.
The Stegosaurus had a small head, a long neck, and a short tail.
Its legs were strong and well-suited for walking.
Adult Stegosauruses could grow up to 9 meters in length and weigh several tons.
The Discovery that Sparked a Legacy
In 1874, a significant find was made in the clay pits of the Swindon Brick and Tile Company. The fossil remains were sent off to ‘Sir Richard Owen’ , then director of the Natural History Museum, for identification. This marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey, as these remains would go on to become the first stegosaur ever named and described by scientists.
The A Roadmap to Understanding
The original material from the Swindon Stegosaur includes its hip, a back leg, and parts of its backbone. These fossilized remains are considered a ‘roadmap’ for understanding what a stegosaur looked like. They can still be seen in London today, giving us valuable insight into this prehistoric creature.
The A Unique Find Returns Home
Thanks to the efforts of Sally and Neville Hollingworth, two dedicated fossil hunters who spotted one of the vertebrae being offered for sale online, a piece of history has been returned to its rightful home. The pair recognized the importance of the find and contacted the council, leading to it being put on display at Museum & Art Swindon.
The A Celebration of Swindon’s Jurassic Past
Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon borough council’s cabinet member for placemaking and planning, expressed her delight at having a piece of the stegosaur back in town. ‘Swindon was really important in the history of palaeontology,’ she said. ‘Loads of important fossil hunters lived here or visited Swindon in the late 19th century to look for specimens.’ The stegosaur’s return is set to ignite the imagination of Swindonians of all ages, and raise awareness about the town’s rich Jurassic past.
The vertebra can now be seen at the museum’s Swindon Rocks gallery. This unique find serves as a reminder of the significant role that Swindon played in one of the UK’s most remarkable dinosaur discoveries.
