Dinosaur Teeth Found in East Sussex Fossils

Research from the University of Southampton has uncovered evidence of several carnivorous dinosaur species, including tyrannosaurs, in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, dating back 135 million years. This marks the first identification of tyrannosaurs in sediments from this age and region. The discovery was made possible through the efforts of retired quarry worker Dave Brockhurst, who has dedicated 30 years to fossil collecting at Ashdown Brickworks, yielding approximately 5,000 specimens. The study emphasizes that theropods, including members of the velociraptor family and spinosaurs, are rare in southern England's Cretaceous sediments. The research utilized advanced techniques, including machine learning, to analyze the complex dental fossils. Dr. Chris Barker noted that dinosaur teeth are crucial for reconstructing ancient ecosystems due to their frequent preservation.