A 10-Year-Old Girl Discovers 200 Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Footprints on a Beach – You Won’t Believe How!
Imagine walking along a beach, the sun shining bright, and coming across something incredible—like dinosaur footprints that are a staggering **200 million years old**! That’s exactly what happened to a young girl named Tegan during her school holidays. While exploring the stony shores near Penarth, South Wales, Tegan uncovered a striking series of large holes that definitely didn’t look like your ordinary beach finds.
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The young explorer couldn’t shake the feeling that these monstrous imprints were something out of the ordinary. Prompted by her curiosity, Tegan shared her find with her mom, Claire, who promptly reached out to experts. This simple act initiated a cascade of excitement that would eventually lead to an astonishing discovery.
**Tegan’s Discovery Reaches the Experts**
Upon alerting researchers, experts quickly confirmed their belief that the five remarkable prints belonged to a **15-foot dinosaur** known as the *Camelotia*, a massive long-necked giant that roamed the Earth millions of years ago. Tegan’s excitement was infectious as she exclaimed, “It was so cool and exciting! We didn’t think we’d find anything.”
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As Tegan and her mom traipsed across the beach, they had no idea that they were stepping into history. The coast is famous for its fossil hunting, and it seems Tegan has now added to its legacy. In fact, another young fossil hunter, four-year-old Lily Wilder, discovered a dino print in the same area just a few years ago in 2021.
**Experts Weigh in on the Dinosaur Footprints**
Paleontologist Cindy Howells from the *National Museum Wales* reported her visit to the site after seeing Tegan’s photos. She analyzed the prints and expressed that she was “fairly certain” they were indeed **genuine dinosaur prints**. In an interview on the BBC programme “The Dinohunters,” she detailed the significance of the discovery: “We’ve got five footprints and we’re talking about half to three-quarters of a meter between each one.”
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According to Cindy, “These footprints are so big, it would have to be a type of dinosaur called a *sauropodomorpha*.” The presence of both left and right foot impressions further confirms the tracks are not random holes. The precise consistency between each print showcases a fascinating glimpse into the past; this is *no ordinary find*.
**Excitement in the Paleontological Community**
The paleontology community is abuzz with excitement over this find. As Cindy remarked, “It’s quite a significant find—when someone contacts us with a definite dinosaur find, it’s amazing! The buzz you get is unlike anything else.” Tegan’s discovery is more than just a set of footprints; it’s a beacon of curiosity and wonder that can inspire a new generation of paleontologists.
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Tegan, now part of a monumental discovery, reminds us that adventure and discovery can be found in the most unexpected places. Her incredible find serves as a testament to the inquisitive spirit of children and the wonders of our natural world. Who knows what else lies beneath our feet, just waiting to be uncovered?