Ardley Trackways

Last updated
Ardley Trackways
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Ardley EFW (geograph 4193067).jpg
Location Oxfordshire
Grid reference SP 541 250 [1]
InterestGeological
Area63.6 hectares (157 acres) [1]
Notification 2010 [1]
Location map Magic Map

Ardley Trackways is a 63.6-hectare (157-acre) geological Site of Special Scientific Interest north-west of Bicester in Oxfordshire. [1] [2] It is a Geological Conservation Review site. [3]

This site is internationally important because it has trackways created by a herd of sauropod (herbivorous) dinosaurs, together with several carnivorous theropods, along a shoreline dating to the Middle Jurassic, around 165 million years ago. These are the only such trackways in England, and one of the few dating to the Middle Jurassic in the world. The tracks throw light on the behaviour and gait of the dinosaurs. [4]

The site is private land with no public access.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Designated Sites View: Ardley Trackways". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  2. "Map of Ardley Trackways". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  3. "Ardley Trackways (Jurassic - Cretaceous Reptilia)". Geological Conservation Review. Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  4. "Ardley Trackways citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 2 June 2020.

Coordinates: 51°55′16″N1°12′54″W / 51.921°N 1.215°W / 51.921; -1.215