On February 20, 1824, the field of paleontology was forever changed with the naming of the first dinosaur, the Megalosaurus. This monumental event, marking its 200th anniversary, highlights a pivotal moment in scientific history. The Megalosaurus was named by William Buckland, a professor of geology at the University of Oxford, following his discovery of fossil remains in Stonesfield, a village in Oxfordshire, about 10 miles northwest of Oxford.
Initially mistaken for the bones of a giant lizard, Buckland named the creature Megalosaurus, merging the Greek words for “big” or “great” (megas) and “lizard” (sauros). This naming predates the term “dinosaur,” which means “terrible lizard,” coined by Sir Richard Owen 18 years later. At the time, the Megalosaurus was thought to be a large reptile, estimated to be about 65 feet long and quadrupedal. However, modern research has adjusted its size to approximately 20 feet in length, revealing it was bipedal and lived during the Middle Jurassic period, between 165 to 168 million years ago.
The Geological Society is commemorating this bicentennial with several events, including a lecture on how dinosaurs have been viewed over the past two centuries and the installation of a life-sized Megalosaurus skeleton replica viewable until February 29. Additionally, the Oxford Museum of Natural History is offering tours and exhibits showcasing “Megalosaurus and Buckland treasures.”
Dr. Paul Sereno, a paleontologist at the University of Chicago, and Dr. David Burnham, from the University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum, both emphasize the significance of Buckland’s discovery. They note that while dinosaur bones and teeth have been found for centuries, the early 19th century lacked a clear understanding of what these ancient creatures were. The naming of the Megalosaurus represents a foundational moment in paleontology, illustrating how far the field has advanced.
Since Buckland’s discovery, the pace of dinosaur discovery has accelerated, thanks to an increase in paleontologists and a growing public understanding of what dinosaurs looked like. “We’re learning and naming more dinosaurs today than ever before,” Sereno stated, highlighting the ongoing efforts to unravel the dinosaur family tree and understand their physiology.
The 200th anniversary of the Megalosaurus naming not only celebrates a historic moment in science but also underscores the continuous evolution of paleontological research, promising further discoveries and insights into the ancient past.
