Local paleontologist Steve Etches expressed surprise at this find, saying it was one of the best fossils he had ever worked on. Its uniqueness stems from its integrity.

What did scientists find

Pliosaurus – A type of marine predator known for its enormous size, some reaching nearly 12 meters in length. Fossil enthusiasts and scientists were particularly interested in the specimen’s well-preserved state, which provided a valuable opportunity to study its anatomy and predatory habits.

Pliosaurus tooth fossil / Photo: TONY JOLLIFFE

Andre Rowe, a PhD student in palaeobiology at the University of Bristol, told the BBC that Pliosaurus could be compared to “underwater tyrannosaurs” because of its formidable jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth. These creatures can produce 33,000 Newtons of force With massive bites that exceeded the bite force of a marine crocodile and rivaled the bite force of a tyrannosaur.

Pliosaurus on the hunt / Photo: BBS Studio

Date of find

The skull was found by fossil enthusiast Phil Jacobs, who noticed that the tip of the snout was sticking out of a cliff on the beach. The skull removal operation, carried out by an international team of scientists, required months of painstaking work, including descending 20 meters above the beach to extract the skull from the surrounding rock.

Despite the difficult conditions, Etches is optimistic about the potential for new discoveries: “I’d bet my life the rest of the animals are out there.”

The rapidly eroding environment along the Jurassic coast could yield additional bones in the future and provide a deeper understanding of the ancient world of these fearsome sea monsters.