Finding dinosaurs like the Loch Ness monster

Scientists discovered a large archaeological site that shows a long-necked dinosaur that looks like a Loch Ness monster that once lived in Scotland 170 million years ago.

Finding dinosaurs is the "relative" of Lochness monster

Group of archaeologists at the University of Edinburgh, announced the discovery of dinosaur relics in the Scottish Geological Journal on December 1. They found hundreds of dinosaur footprints of 170 million years old on the island coast of Skye, making it the relics of the largest dinosaur in Scotland, according to Live Science.

The dinosaur footprint is an accidental discovery. A paleontologist noticed the fossil skeleton of the small crocodile on the island of Skye and mobilized the group to conduct a closer survey. Not only did they find more fossil fish bones or shark teeth, the team also found dinosaur footprints on a rocky slope along the coast, which used to be a swamp area during the Jurassic period.

Scottish coastal swamp, where long-necked dinosaurs lived 170 million years ago.(Photo: Jon Hoad).

"The footprints are in the coastal swamp, the ideal environment for dinosaurs at the time," said Steve Brusatte, head of the research team. "You can imagine dinosaurs leaving footprints while moving underwater, in a relatively shallow water."

Footprints covered by sand, seaweed and the tide. When they were discovered, the tide was rising, so the group decided to mark the site and return to study more carefully after the tide receded.

"We see the first footprint, then another footprint, we begin to realize there is a repeating and related pattern," Brusatte told Live Science. "But the tide was rising, and we were forced to come back the next day to take a closer look."

Through analysis, Brusatte's group confirmed that the footprints belonged to the long-necked dinosaur (Herbivorous Sauropod) , living in the Jurassic period. The largest footprint the team discovered was up to 7 cm in diameter and according to them, only long-necked dinosaurs could leave such large footprints.

Based on the footprint size, the team determined the dinosaur was at least 15 m long and weighed over 11 tons. In addition, another footprint shows that long-necked dinosaurs have front legs with large claws, most likely to burrow as a nest.

Some other fossils of long-necked dinosaurs have also been found in Scotland before, such as coccyx fossils, bones of limbs and a few teeth. However, these fossils may have drifted from one place to another during natural movement. Footprints are the strongest proof that this dinosaur once lived in Scotland in ancient times.

Steve Brusatte (right) and Tom Challands (left) at the relic of dinosaur footprints on Skye Island.(Photo: Mark Wilkinson).

Brusatte and colleagues found at least three layers of footprints on the slopes, meaning many generations of giant long-necked dinosaurs living in this salt-marshy area for a long time. The location of the footprints indicates that they not only live in a dry place but can dig burrows near the water surface or even under shallow water, according to Brusatte.

This discovery is of great importance because fossils from the mid-Jurassic period are rare."This is a great discovery, but the best thing lies in what has not been found , " said Tom Challands, a member of the research team. "I'm sure on the island of Skye there are still many relics and specimens waiting for excavation in the coming years."

Brusatte's team hopes to use LIDAR survey method to map long-necked dinosaur footprints from the air. After having a full footprint map, the team will calculate the movement speed of this ancient creature. Currently, Brusatte only speculated that long-necked dinosaurs moved relatively slowly because the footprints were quite close together.