Discovered dinosaur bone in England might have belonged to centuries-old first Roman fossil hunters
The scientists said they came upon a fossilized dinosaur vertebra while working with the Cambridge Investment Partnership during excavation at housing development sites in Aragon Close and Sackville Close.
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CAMBRIDGE, England – Archeologists have discovered ancient artifacts near London that may have belonged to the first Roman fossil hunters.
The scientists said they came upon a fossilized dinosaur vertebra while working with the Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP) during excavation at housing development sites in Aragon Close and Sackville Close.
"As archeologists, we are often asked by members of the public if we have found any dinosaur bones, and on this occasion, we actually found one," said Andrew Greef, senior project manager at Oxford Archaeology.
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The team, overseen by RPS Consulting Services, uncovered preserved Roman remains beneath the car parks and garages at Aragon Close and Sackville Close.
(Cambridge Investment Partnership)
Researchers say dinosaur fossils are occasionally found in Cambridgeshire, but the unearthing of the fossilized plesiosaur vertebra suggests the chance of it belonging to some of the first fossil hunters who curated the object, the CIP said. The dating evidence recovered indicates that the site was active between the mid-2nd and late 4th century AD.
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Amongst a collection of Roman artifacts, a fossilized plesiosaur vertebrae was discovered.
(Cambridge Investment Partnership)
The team at Oxford Archaeology said they will conduct a further investigation during a post-excavation analysis.
Archeologists also discovered some Roman remains preserved beneath the existing car parks and garages at the site. Project leaders report that the garages' shallow footings led to other well-preserved finds along ditches, pits, a possible structure and several Roman burials.
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Dinosaur fossils have been found in Cambridgeshire, and since the Romans were early fossil hunters, it's possible this was a curated object.
(Cambridge Investment Partnership)
Other findings included a Roman face flagon – a type of vessel typically associated with burials – and a large amount of pottery.
The archeological team said they will clean and record the discoveries before giving them to Cambridgeshire County Council Stores. The findings will enhance the team's comprehension of the Roman presence in the area, the CIP said.
Contractors said the developments in Aragon Close and Sackville Close will each provide seven low-carbon and highly sustainable council homes. Additionally, the area will provide amenities such as car parking, landscaping, and cycle storage.