A geology tour guide has made an incredible discovery along the coast near Whitby in North Yorkshire. Steve Cousins, known as the “Rock Showman,” was leading a school trip on a fossil walk at Saltwick Bay when he stumbled upon a 170-million-year-old dinosaur footprint believed to be that of a stegosaur.
Cousins shared his excitement with the children, saying it was great to have this find shared with others and to provide an authentic learning experience. The fossil is now on display at Whitby Holiday Park’s Jet Bistro and is free for the public to visit.
To verify the discovery, Cousins contacted his friend, palaeontologist Dr Liam Herringshaw, who used a 3D scanning app to take a detailed scan of the rock. Herringshaw explained that middle Jurassic footprint-bearing sandstones are common in rocks across the North York Moors and along the coast.
The stegosaur footprint is believed to have appeared on the beach after tectonic forces pushed the crust back up, revealing the fossils. Cousins believes the print came from the back foot of a stegosaur, dating back around 170 million years.
As part of his work at Earth Science Outreach UK, which he co-founded with Herringshaw, Cousins aims to engage the public with local geology and palaeontology events and tours. He leads educational walking tours to spot fossils along the beaches of North Yorkshire, calling it an “outdoor museum.” The discovery is a great example of how accessible ancient finds can be made available to the public for further knowledge and understanding.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd7g4y21envo