Jurassic Sea Monster’ Unearthed: Enormous Pliosaur Skull Found in UK

A colossal skull belonging to a prehistoric sea creature has been uncovered in the cliffs of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, England. This remarkably well-preserved skull, attributed to a pliosaur—a marine reptile thriving approximately 150 million years ago—offers an intriguing glimpse into the life of this ancient behemoth. During an era dominated by dinosaurs on land, these creatures roamed the Earth’s oceans.

Measuring an impressive 6 feet and 5 inches, the fossilized skull provides enthralling insights into the existence of this primordial sea monster.

Discovered in 2022, this fossil will take center stage in the upcoming BBC documentary titled “Attenborough and the Jurassic Sea Monster,” scheduled to premiere on BBC One on New Year’s Day.

Palaeontologist Steve Etches, deeply involved in unearthing the fossil, expressed his awe, stating, “It’s one of the best fossils I’ve ever worked on. What makes it unique is it’s complete.” Etches emphasized the exceptional level of detail, with the lower jaw and upper skull perfectly interlocked as they would have been in life. He highlighted the rarity of such detailed specimens globally and lauded the completeness of this find despite slight distortions.

Etches further revealed the challenging excavation, describing it as miraculous given the time constraints: “It’s a miracle we got it out because we had one last day to get this thing out, which we did at 9:30 p.m.”

Pliosaurs, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica, could reach lengths of up to 50 feet. These formidable apex predators possessed lengthy, razor-sharp teeth and an astonishing bite force of 33,000 newtons—twice that of today’s saltwater crocodile, known for having the most potent jaws.

Dr. Andre Rowe from Bristol University compared these ancient sea creatures to an underwater equivalent of the T. rex, affirming their dominance as formidable predators capable of preying on a variety of unfortunate creatures sharing their habitat. Potential prey might have included ichthyosaurs resembling dolphins and plesiosaurs characterized by elongated necks, both existing marine reptiles of that era.