The Discovery
More than two decades after fossilized bones were recovered from the Weald Clay deposits at Ewhurst Works in Surrey, researchers have confirmed the find as a completely new genus and species of dinosaur. The specimen was named Paludohadros proudlovii in honor of Will Proudlove, a former works manager at the site who passed away at age 35 shortly before the 2001 excavation. Proudlove held a deep interest in the prehistoric life uncovered during clay extraction at the site, making the scientific name a lasting tribute to his memory.
What Scientists Found
The fossils have been under the care of the Natural History Museum since their excavation. Research led by Ricardo Sacamoto, a doctoral student at the Natural History Museum in London and the University of São Paulo, confirmed the unique identity of the dinosaur. The individual specimen was determined to be a juvenile, measuring roughly 5 meters in length and weighing between 1.5 and 2 tonnes—an overall size comparable to a modern rhinoceros. Fully grown adults of this species likely reached much larger dimensions.
Paludohadros was an iguanodontian, a group of herbivorous dinosaurs recognized for their thumb-spikes. The genus name is derived from the Latin word palus, meaning swamp, referring to the muddy wetland environments of southern England around 125 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period. It shared this prehistoric habitat with other notable creatures, including Baryonyx walkeri, a two-legged carnivore discovered at the same Surrey quarry in 1983.
Why It Matters
The identification of Paludohadros proudlovii brings scientific clarity to a fossil excavated over twenty years ago. For the family of Will Proudlove, including his wife Rachael, the naming reflects a meaningful connection to his legacy and his passion for local paleontology.
This discovery also represents the first new species identified by researcher Ricardo Sacamoto. Following this success, further examination of iguanodontian fossil collections stored at the Natural History Museum is planned, which may uncover additional unrecognized dinosaur species in the future.
Source: dinosaur fossil discovery - BingNews · Published October 27, 2026 · Photo by EJ Strat on Unsplash
