Rare meat-eating dinosaur found in East Sussex puzzles scientists about Tyrannosaurus history

Fossils from East Sussex reveal the existence of several predatory species 135 million years ago. (Image: Canva)

Fascinating evidence of ancient meat-eating dinosaurs has emerged. Fossils from East Sussex reveal the existence of several predatory species 135 million years ago.

The discovery, made in Bexhill-on-Sea, marks a milestone. Tyrannosaurs were identified in sediments of this age and region.

Fossilised Teeth Reveal Predators
University of Southampton scientists studied fossilised teeth from predators. These included tyrannosaurs, spinosaurs, and members of the Velociraptor family.

"Meat-eating dinosaurs are uncommon in southern England’s Cretaceous layers," said Dr Chris Barker, who led the study.

The tyrannosaurs were smaller than T. rex, about one-third its size. They likely hunted small dinosaurs and reptiles in floodplain habitats.

Teeth Key to Discovery
Dr Barker explained that dinosaur teeth preserve better than bones. "Teeth are essential for reconstructing ancient ecosystems," he added.

Teeth discovered include those of (a) spinosaur, (b) tyrannosaur, (c) dromaeosaur, (d) potential tyrannosaur, and (e) indeterminate tyrannoraptoran—a group encompassing tyrannosaurs and dromaeosaurs. (Image: Velociraptor and kin, BARKER ET AL, 2024)

The team used advanced methods to identify the teeth. Techniques included phylogenetic analysis and machine learning for accurate classification.

The findings were made possible by Dave Brockhurst, a retired quarryman. He spent 30 years collecting fossils at Ashdown Brickworks.

Brockhurst’s collection includes over 5,000 specimens donated to Bexhill Museum. His dedication helped researchers uncover East Sussex’s prehistoric secrets.

Collaborative Effort and Public Display
The research involved institutions like the Natural History Museum. Fossils are now displayed at Bexhill Museum for public viewing.

Co-author Dr Darren Naish noted southern England’s rich dinosaur history. "These East Sussex fossils are older than Isle of Wight finds."

The findings appear in Papers in Palaeontology. The study underscores the importance of museum collections and dedicated collectors.

Dr Neil Gostling, another co-author, expressed excitement. "There’s still so much to discover in palaeontology."