Discovery of Dinosaur Fossils
Paleontology & Fossils
1824
Discoverers: William Buckland, Gideon Mantell
Overview
First scientific descriptions of dinosaurs: Megalosaurus (Buckland) and Iguanodon (Mantell), establishing that giant reptiles once dominated Earth.
Significance
Revealed that Earth's past fauna was radically different from the present, establishing paleontology as a scientific discipline.
Methodology
Anatomical analysis of fossilised bones from Oxfordshire (Megalosaurus) and Sussex (Iguanodon) limestone quarries.
Impact
- Founded dinosaur paleontology
- Proved existence of extinct giant reptiles
- Stimulated public interest in Earth history