Original subtitles

Good evening. This is Beach Live from Charmouth in Dorset.

It's our final show on the Jurassic Coast, unique

in the world for its spectacular range of fossils.

Tonight

Tonight this

Tonight this beach

Tonight this beach is

Tonight this beach is hosting

Tonight this beach is hosting the

largest

largest fossil

largest fossil hunt

largest fossil hunt from

largest fossil hunt from Charmouth

largest fossil hunt from Charmouth ever

ever live

ever live on

ever live on TV.

as we try to unearth the evidence

of a one-tonne marine reptile from 180 million years ago.

Hello

Hello and

Hello and welcome

Hello and welcome back

Hello and welcome back to

Hello and welcome back to the

Hello and welcome back to the third

and

and final

and final show

and final show from

and final show from this

and final show from this beautiful

and final show from this beautiful Dorset

Dorset beach.

Dorset beach. Tonight,

Dorset beach. Tonight, we

Dorset beach. Tonight, we have

Dorset beach. Tonight, we have mobilised

mobilised a

mobilised a battalion,

mobilised a battalion, no,

mobilised a battalion, no, a

mobilised a battalion, no, a Brigade,

Brigade, those

Brigade, those people

Brigade, those people are

Brigade, those people are fossil

Brigade, those people are fossil hunters.

hunters. We

hunters. We are

hunters. We are looking

hunters. We are looking for

hunters. We are looking for an

hunters. We are looking for an enormous

enormous marine

enormous marine reptile

enormous marine reptile that

enormous marine reptile that made

enormous marine reptile that made this

this area

this area famous

this area famous for

this area famous for fossils.

this area famous for fossils. And

this area famous for fossils. And we

this area famous for fossils. And we will

will look

will look at

will look at the

will look at the impressive

will look at the impressive survival

will look at the impressive survival skills

skills of

skills of the

skills of the dragonfly.

skills of the dragonfly. How

skills of the dragonfly. How did

skills of the dragonfly. How did this

this wonder

this wonder insect

this wonder insect survive

this wonder insect survive 300

this wonder insect survive 300 million

million years?

million years? Look

million years? Look of

million years? Look of this

million years? Look of this rock,

million years? Look of this rock, something

something has

something has bored

something has bored through

something has bored through and

something has bored through and we

something has bored through and we will

will tell

will tell you

will tell you what

will tell you what it

will tell you what it is

will tell you what it is later.

will tell you what it is later. You

will tell you what it is later. You may

may be

may be surprised

may be surprised by

may be surprised by the

may be surprised by the answer.

may be surprised by the answer. And

may be surprised by the answer. And we

we have

we have Niall

we have Niall Strawson

we have Niall Strawson in

we have Niall Strawson in the

we have Niall Strawson in the Discovery

Discovery Centre

Discovery Centre with

Discovery Centre with an

Discovery Centre with an extraordinary

extraordinary find

extraordinary find from

extraordinary find from this

extraordinary find from this very

extraordinary find from this very beach.

beach. What

beach. What is

beach. What is it?

beach. What is it? We

beach. What is it? We are

beach. What is it? We are grateful

beach. What is it? We are grateful to

to everyone

to everyone showing

to everyone showing up

to everyone showing up in

to everyone showing up in person,

to everyone showing up in person, but

but you

but you do

but you do not

but you do not have

but you do not have to

but you do not have to be

but you do not have to be in

but you do not have to be in the

but you do not have to be in the south

south to

south to share

south to share your

south to share your experience

south to share your experience of

south to share your experience of the

the beach,

the beach, people

the beach, people have

the beach, people have sent

the beach, people have sent wonderful

wonderful images

wonderful images all

wonderful images all week,

wonderful images all week, and

wonderful images all week, and continue

continue to

continue to do

continue to do so

continue to do so tonight,

continue to do so tonight, please.

continue to do so tonight, please. Check

Check this,

Check this, look

Check this, look at

Check this, look at this.

Check this, look at this. You

Check this, look at this. You laugh

Check this, look at this. You laugh beach

beach defence.

beach defence. Tank

beach defence. Tank tracks

beach defence. Tank tracks and

beach defence. Tank tracks and a

beach defence. Tank tracks and a bunker.

bunker. And

bunker. And the

bunker. And the Moray

bunker. And the Moray Firth.

bunker. And the Moray Firth. Beach

bunker. And the Moray Firth. Beach defences

defences make

defences make you

defences make you happy

defences make you happy but

defences make you happy but snakes

defences make you happy but snakes on

on the

on the beach

on the beach make

on the beach make me

on the beach make me happy

on the beach make me happy and

on the beach make me happy and this

on the beach make me happy and this was

was sent

was sent from

was sent from Charmouth

was sent from Charmouth a

was sent from Charmouth a couple

was sent from Charmouth a couple of

was sent from Charmouth a couple of weeks

weeks ago,

weeks ago, a

weeks ago, a reptile

weeks ago, a reptile sunning

weeks ago, a reptile sunning itself

weeks ago, a reptile sunning itself on

on the

on the beach.

on the beach. If

on the beach. If you

on the beach. If you want

on the beach. If you want to

on the beach. If you want to send

on the beach. If you want to send images,

images, please

images, please do.

images, please do. Beach.live@bbc.co.uk,

Beach.live@bbc.co.uk, and

Beach.live@bbc.co.uk, and the

Beach.live@bbc.co.uk, and the hashtag

hashtag is

hashtag is beach

hashtag is beach live.

hashtag is beach live. Talking

hashtag is beach live. Talking of

hashtag is beach live. Talking of social

social media,

social media, people

social media, people suggested

social media, people suggested last

social media, people suggested last night

night that

night that the

night that the live

night that the live dive

night that the live dive on

night that the live dive on the

night that the live dive on the tanks

tanks was

tanks was a

tanks was a hoax

tanks was a hoax and

tanks was a hoax and Scotty,

tanks was a hoax and Scotty, who

tanks was a hoax and Scotty, who I

tanks was a hoax and Scotty, who I talk

talk to

talk to did

talk to did not

talk to did not exist.

talk to did not exist. Scotty

talk to did not exist. Scotty does

talk to did not exist. Scotty does exist

exist and

exist and you

exist and you will

exist and you will see

exist and you will see him

exist and you will see him in

exist and you will see him in the

exist and you will see him in the flesh

flesh later

flesh later in

flesh later in the

flesh later in the programme.

flesh later in the programme. I

flesh later in the programme. I thought

thought he

thought he was

thought he was your

thought he was your imaginary

thought he was your imaginary friend.

friend. Tonight's

friend. Tonight's mission

friend. Tonight's mission is

friend. Tonight's mission is all

friend. Tonight's mission is all about

about finding

about finding fossils.

about finding fossils. We

about finding fossils. We have

about finding fossils. We have a

about finding fossils. We have a particular

particular fossil

particular fossil in

particular fossil in mind.

particular fossil in mind. It

particular fossil in mind. It is

particular fossil in mind. It is ambitious

ambitious but

ambitious but we

ambitious but we want

ambitious but we want to

ambitious but we want to follow

ambitious but we want to follow in

ambitious but we want to follow in the

the footsteps

the footsteps of

the footsteps of Mary

the footsteps of Mary Anning,

the footsteps of Mary Anning, the

the footsteps of Mary Anning, the world's

world's most

world's most famous

world's most famous palaeontologist.

world's most famous palaeontologist. We

We want

We want to

We want to find

We want to find a

We want to find a little

We want to find a little bit

We want to find a little bit of

We want to find a little bit of an

We want to find a little bit of an ichthyosaur

ichthyosaur fossil.

ichthyosaur fossil. HQ

ichthyosaur fossil. HQ is

ichthyosaur fossil. HQ is manned

ichthyosaur fossil. HQ is manned by

ichthyosaur fossil. HQ is manned by our

our resident

our resident geologist,

our resident geologist, Red

,

, will

, will we

, will we find

, will we find an

, will we find an ichthyosaur?

, will we find an ichthyosaur? We

have

have a

have a lot

have a lot of

have a lot of chances.

have a lot of chances. The

have a lot of chances. The height

have a lot of chances. The height of

have a lot of chances. The height of the

the summer

the summer but

the summer but there

the summer but there are

the summer but there are a

the summer but there are a lot

the summer but there are a lot of

the summer but there are a lot of people

people out

people out and

people out and they

people out and they are

people out and they are passionate

people out and they are passionate about

about fossil

about fossil collecting.

about fossil collecting. What

about fossil collecting. What have

about fossil collecting. What have we

we found?

about fossil collecting. What have we found?

we found? There

we found? There is

we found? There is a

we found? There is a diversity

we found? There is a diversity of

we found? There is a diversity of fossils

fossils from

fossils from ammonites

fossils from ammonites to

fossils from ammonites to belemnites.

belemnites. Why,

belemnites. Why, is

belemnites. Why, is the

belemnites. Why, is the coast

belemnites. Why, is the coast so

belemnites. Why, is the coast so special

special to

special to find

special to find fossils?

special to find fossils? It

special to find fossils? It is

special to find fossils? It is a

special to find fossils? It is a Unesco

Unesco World

Unesco World Heritage

Unesco World Heritage site,

Unesco World Heritage site, 185

Unesco World Heritage site, 185 million

million years

million years of

million years of Earth's

million years of Earth's history

million years of Earth's history in

million years of Earth's history in 95

95 miles

95 miles of

95 miles of coast

95 miles of coast and

95 miles of coast and if

95 miles of coast and if we

95 miles of coast and if we look

95 miles of coast and if we look east

east to

east to Studland,

east to Studland, the

east to Studland, the Cretaceous

east to Studland, the Cretaceous rocks,

rocks, limestones

rocks, limestones and

rocks, limestones and chalks,

rocks, limestones and chalks, deposited

deposited in

deposited in the

deposited in the goons

deposited in the goons and

deposited in the goons and swamps

deposited in the goons and swamps and

and where

and where we

and where we are

and where we are standing,

and where we are standing, 200

and where we are standing, 200 million

million years

million years ago

million years ago was

million years ago was the

million years ago was the Jurassic

million years ago was the Jurassic period

period and

period and these

period and these rocks

period and these rocks formed

period and these rocks formed in

period and these rocks formed in deep

deep seas

deep seas with

deep seas with marine

deep seas with marine reptile

deep seas with marine reptile swimming

swimming around

swimming around and

swimming around and towards

swimming around and towards East

swimming around and towards East Devon,

Devon, the

Devon, the oldest

Devon, the oldest rocks,

Devon, the oldest rocks, formed

Devon, the oldest rocks, formed in

Devon, the oldest rocks, formed in deserts.

deserts. This

deserts. This is

deserts. This is beautiful.

deserts. This is beautiful. It

deserts. This is beautiful. It has

deserts. This is beautiful. It has mother

mother of

mother of pearl

mother of pearl on

mother of pearl on it,

mother of pearl on it, fossilised

mother of pearl on it, fossilised in

mother of pearl on it, fossilised in an

an ammonite.

an ammonite. That

an ammonite. That was

an ammonite. That was found

an ammonite. That was found today,

an ammonite. That was found today, already?

already? It

already? It is

already? It is gorgeous,

already? It is gorgeous, especially

already? It is gorgeous, especially in

in the

in the evening

in the evening light.

in the evening light. It

in the evening light. It is

in the evening light. It is not

in the evening light. It is not quite

quite as

quite as good

quite as good as

quite as good as Mary

quite as good as Mary --

quite as good as Mary -- Mary

quite as good as Mary -- Mary Anning's

Anning's first

Anning's first discovery

Anning's first discovery but

Anning's first discovery but we

Anning's first discovery but we are

Anning's first discovery but we are almost

almost there

almost there and

almost there and we

almost there and we are

almost there and we are here

almost there and we are here because

almost there and we are here because of

of that

of that remarkable

of that remarkable woman,

of that remarkable woman, she

of that remarkable woman, she used

of that remarkable woman, she used to

to walk

to walk these

to walk these beaches

to walk these beaches looking

to walk these beaches looking for

to walk these beaches looking for fossils

fossils to

fossils to sell

fossils to sell to

fossils to sell to tourists.

fossils to sell to tourists. When

fossils to sell to tourists. When she

she was

she was 12

she was 12 years

she was 12 years old

she was 12 years old she

she was 12 years old she made

she was 12 years old she made a

she was 12 years old she made a remarkable

remarkable discovery.

remarkable discovery. The

remarkable discovery. The world's

remarkable discovery. The world's first

first complete

first complete plesiosaur,

first complete plesiosaur, the

first complete plesiosaur, the underwater

underwater marine

underwater marine reptile.

underwater marine reptile. It

underwater marine reptile. It has

underwater marine reptile. It has inspired

inspired Loch

inspired Loch Ness

inspired Loch Ness Monster

inspired Loch Ness Monster hoaxes

inspired Loch Ness Monster hoaxes ever

ever since.

inspired Loch Ness Monster hoaxes ever since.

ever since. Dr

Dr Hilary

Dr Hilary Ketchum

Dr Hilary Ketchum at

Dr Hilary Ketchum at Oxford

Dr Hilary Ketchum at Oxford University

University Museum

University Museum of

University Museum of Natural

University Museum of Natural History

University Museum of Natural History has

has studied

has studied hundreds

has studied hundreds of

has studied hundreds of plesiosaur

has studied hundreds of plesiosaur fossils

fossils to

fossils to try

fossils to try to

fossils to try to piece

fossils to try to piece together

fossils to try to piece together the

fossils to try to piece together the mystery

mystery of

mystery of their

mystery of their evolutionary

mystery of their evolutionary past.

mystery of their evolutionary past. Plesiosaurs

Plesiosaurs first

Plesiosaurs first appeared

Plesiosaurs first appeared around

Plesiosaurs first appeared around 200

200 million

200 million years

200 million years ago,

200 million years ago, whilst

200 million years ago, whilst dinosaurs

dinosaurs dominated

dinosaurs dominated the

dinosaurs dominated the land,

dinosaurs dominated the land, these

dinosaurs dominated the land, these huge

huge carnivores

huge carnivores commanded

dinosaurs dominated the land, these huge carnivores commanded

huge carnivores commanded the

huge carnivores commanded the oceans.

oceans. The

oceans. The family

oceans. The family had

oceans. The family had two

oceans. The family had two main

oceans. The family had two main body

oceans. The family had two main body types,

types, those

types, those with

types, those with small

types, those with small heads

types, those with small heads at

types, those with small heads at the

types, those with small heads at the end

end of

end of an

end of an elongated

end of an elongated neck,

end of an elongated neck, and

end of an elongated neck, and the

end of an elongated neck, and the more

more dangerous

more dangerous pliosaur,

more dangerous pliosaur, fast

more dangerous pliosaur, fast hunters

hunters with

hunters with jaws

hunters with jaws as

hunters with jaws as powerful

hunters with jaws as powerful as

hunters with jaws as powerful as T

hunters with jaws as powerful as T Rex.

Rex. Hillary

Rex. Hillary has

Rex. Hillary has invited

Rex. Hillary has invited me

Rex. Hillary has invited me to

Rex. Hillary has invited me to her

hunters with jaws as powerful as T Rex. Hillary has invited me to her

Rex. Hillary has invited me to her laboratory

laboratory to

laboratory to help

laboratory to help her

laboratory to help her with

laboratory to help her with an

laboratory to help her with an exciting

exciting new

exciting new find.

exciting new find. This

exciting new find. This is

exciting new find. This is the

exciting new find. This is the skull

exciting new find. This is the skull of

of a

of a plesiosaur,

of a plesiosaur, 165

of a plesiosaur, 165 million

of a plesiosaur, 165 million years

of a plesiosaur, 165 million years old.

old. Discovered

old. Discovered just

old. Discovered just outside

old. Discovered just outside Peterborough.

Peterborough. We

Peterborough. We have

Peterborough. We have been

Peterborough. We have been preparing

Peterborough. We have been preparing it

it out

it out the

it out the clay.

it out the clay. How

it out the clay. How many

it out the clay. How many pieces

it out the clay. How many pieces was

it out the clay. How many pieces was it

it in?

it in? About

it out the clay. How many pieces was it in? About

it in? About 250.

it in? About 250. I

it in? About 250. I have

it in? About 250. I have so

it in? About 250. I have so much

it in? About 250. I have so much admiration

admiration because

admiration because it

admiration because it is

admiration because it is like

admiration because it is like a

admiration because it is like a crazy

crazy three-dimensional

crazy three-dimensional jigsaw

crazy three-dimensional jigsaw without

without a

without a picture

without a picture for

without a picture for guidance.

without a picture for guidance. Why

without a picture for guidance. Why is

is it

is it importance

is it importance to

is it importance to go

is it importance to go through

is it importance to go through the

is it importance to go through the laborious

laborious process

laborious process to

laborious process to piece

laborious process to piece it

laborious process to piece it back

laborious process to piece it back together?

together? They

together? They are

together? They are too

together? They are too old

together? They are too old for

together? They are too old for any

together? They are too old for any DNA

DNA to

DNA to be

DNA to be preserved.

DNA to be preserved. We

DNA to be preserved. We understand

DNA to be preserved. We understand the

the evolution

the evolution through

the evolution through anatomy

the evolution through anatomy and

the evolution through anatomy and the

the only

the only way

the only way to

the only way to tell

the only way to tell that

the only way to tell that is

the only way to tell that is by

the only way to tell that is by having

having a

having a 3-D

having a 3-D fossil

having a 3-D fossil and

having a 3-D fossil and studying

having a 3-D fossil and studying that.

that. These

that. These were

that. These were marine

that. These were marine reptiles.

that. These were marine reptiles. They

They are

They are more

They are more closely

They are more closely related

They are more closely related to

They are more closely related to lizards

lizards and

lizards and snakes

lizards and snakes than

lizards and snakes than dinosaurs

lizards and snakes than dinosaurs but

but unlike

but unlike most

but unlike most reptiles,

but unlike most reptiles, they

but unlike most reptiles, they gave

but unlike most reptiles, they gave birth

birth to

birth to live

birth to live young.

birth to live young. They

birth to live young. They evolved

birth to live young. They evolved from

from land-based

from land-based ancestors.

from land-based ancestors. They

from land-based ancestors. They would

would have

would have to

would have to to

would have to to return

would have to to return to

would have to to return to the

would have to to return to the surface

surface to

surface to breathe

surface to breathe air.

surface to breathe air. I

surface to breathe air. I am

surface to breathe air. I am starting

starting to

starting to sweat

starting to sweat at

starting to sweat at the

starting to sweat at the thought

starting to sweat at the thought of

starting to sweat at the thought of holding

holding something

holding something so

holding something so precious

holding something so precious and

holding something so precious and old.

old. There

old. There is

old. There is some

old. There is some weight

old. There is some weight to

old. There is some weight to it.

holding something so precious and old. There is some weight to it.

old. There is some weight to it. Now,

Now, with

Now, with the

Now, with the glue,

Now, with the glue, we

Now, with the glue, we can

Now, with the glue, we can manipulate

manipulate it

manipulate it and

manipulate it and now

manipulate it and now pull

manipulate it and now pull it

manipulate it and now pull it apart.

manipulate it and now pull it apart. Very

Very gently.

Very gently. Hold

Very gently. Hold it

Very gently. Hold it a

Very gently. Hold it a couple

Very gently. Hold it a couple of

Very gently. Hold it a couple of seconds

seconds and

seconds and put

seconds and put it

seconds and put it back

seconds and put it back together.

seconds and put it back together. Hold

Hold it

Hold it about

Hold it about 20

Hold it about 20 seconds.

Hold it about 20 seconds. What

Hold it about 20 seconds. What can

Hold it about 20 seconds. What can we

we infer

we infer from

we infer from this

Hold it about 20 seconds. What can we infer from this

we infer from this creature,

we infer from this creature, from

we infer from this creature, from its

its teeth?

its teeth? They

its teeth? They are

its teeth? They are long

its teeth? They are long and

its teeth? They are long and pointy.

its teeth? They are long and pointy. Basically

Basically we

Basically we think

Basically we think it

Basically we think it means

Basically we think it means it

Basically we think it means it was

Basically we think it means it was eating

eating soft

eating soft bodied

eating soft bodied fish

eating soft bodied fish and

eating soft bodied fish and animals

eating soft bodied fish and animals related

related to

related to squid.

related to squid. If

related to squid. If we

related to squid. If we put

related to squid. If we put it

related to squid. If we put it in

related to squid. If we put it in the

the train.

the train. The

the train. The weight

the train. The weight of

the train. The weight of it

the train. The weight of it will

the train. The weight of it will push

push it

push it down.

push it down. I

push it down. I think

push it down. I think I

push it down. I think I have

push it down. I think I have done

push it down. I think I have done a

push it down. I think I have done a poor

poor effort.

poor effort. It

poor effort. It is

poor effort. It is good.

poor effort. It is good. Really?

poor effort. It is good. Really? This

This animal's

This animal's body

This animal's body skeleton

This animal's body skeleton has

This animal's body skeleton has been

This animal's body skeleton has been measured

measured at

measured at 5.5

measured at 5.5 metres

measured at 5.5 metres long.

measured at 5.5 metres long. Huge

measured at 5.5 metres long. Huge paddles

paddles would

paddles would propel

paddles would propel it

paddles would propel it through

paddles would propel it through water

water and

water and the

water and the skull,

water and the skull, the

water and the skull, the last

water and the skull, the last part

water and the skull, the last part to

to be

to be reconstructed,

to be reconstructed, would

to be reconstructed, would have

to be reconstructed, would have sat

to be reconstructed, would have sat at

at the

at the end

at the end of

at the end of the

at the end of the 2.5

at the end of the 2.5 metres

at the end of the 2.5 metres neck.

at the end of the 2.5 metres neck. Why

Why such

Why such an

Why such an extravagant

Why such an extravagant neck?

Why such an extravagant neck? We

Why such an extravagant neck? We do

Why such an extravagant neck? We do not

not know

not know the

not know the answer.

not know the answer. Some

not know the answer. Some suggested

not know the answer. Some suggested they

they used

they used it

they used it to

they used it to feed

they used it to feed along

they used it to feed along the

they used it to feed along the bottom.

bottom. Some

bottom. Some suggested

bottom. Some suggested it

bottom. Some suggested it was

bottom. Some suggested it was a

bottom. Some suggested it was a way

bottom. Some suggested it was a way of

of camouflaging

of camouflaging the

of camouflaging the giant

of camouflaging the giant body

of camouflaging the giant body so

of camouflaging the giant body so they

they could

they could sneak

they could sneak up

they could sneak up on

they could sneak up on shoals

they could sneak up on shoals of

they could sneak up on shoals of fish.

fish. There

fish. There is

fish. There is one

fish. There is one from

fish. There is one from the

fish. There is one from the Cretaceous

Cretaceous in

Cretaceous in North

Cretaceous in North America

Cretaceous in North America that

Cretaceous in North America that has

Cretaceous in North America that has 76

76 neck

76 neck vertebrae

76 neck vertebrae with

76 neck vertebrae with a

76 neck vertebrae with a seven

76 neck vertebrae with a seven metres

metres neck,

metres neck, four

metres neck, four times

metres neck, four times the

metres neck, four times the length

metres neck, four times the length of

of the

of the body,

of the body, it

of the body, it is

of the body, it is enormous.

of the body, it is enormous. It

of the body, it is enormous. It is

of the body, it is enormous. It is thought

thought the

thought the plesiosaur's

thought the plesiosaur's incredible

thought the plesiosaur's incredible neck

neck might

neck might hold

neck might hold the

neck might hold the key

neck might hold the key to

neck might hold the key to their

neck might hold the key to their success.

success. From

success. From those

success. From those with

success. From those with some

success. From those with some of

success. From those with some of the

success. From those with some of the longest

longest necks

longest necks in

longest necks in the

longest necks in the world,

longest necks in the world, to

longest necks in the world, to the

longest necks in the world, to the stocky

stocky pliosaurs.

stocky pliosaurs. They

stocky pliosaurs. They took

stocky pliosaurs. They took advantage

advantage of

advantage of a

advantage of a multitude

advantage of a multitude of

advantage of a multitude of environments.

environments. How

environments. How does

environments. How does this

environments. How does this particular

particular plesiosaur

particular plesiosaur skull

particular plesiosaur skull fit

particular plesiosaur skull fit into

particular plesiosaur skull fit into the

the evolutionary

the evolutionary tree?

the evolutionary tree? This

the evolutionary tree? This might

the evolutionary tree? This might be

the evolutionary tree? This might be related

related to

related to another

related to another longnecked

related to another longnecked one

related to another longnecked one from

from about

from about the

from about the same

from about the same age

from about the same age but

from about the same age but when

from about the same age but when we

from about the same age but when we looked

looked at

looked at the

looked at the neck

looked at the neck bones

looked at the neck bones and

looked at the neck bones and flipper

looked at the neck bones and flipper bones

bones we

bones we noticed

bones we noticed differences

bones we noticed differences between

bones we noticed differences between this

this and

this and those

this and those already

this and those already described.

this and those already described. When

When I

When I looked

When I looked at

When I looked at the

When I looked at the skull,

When I looked at the skull, I

When I looked at the skull, I have

When I looked at the skull, I have noticed

noticed differences

noticed differences so

noticed differences so we

noticed differences so we are

noticed differences so we are excited

excited to

excited to think

excited to think it

excited to think it is

excited to think it is something

excited to think it is something new.

new. A

new. A new

new. A new species?

new. A new species? Potentially.

new. A new species? Potentially. I

new. A new species? Potentially. I am

am getting

am getting excited

am getting excited now.

am getting excited now. New

am getting excited now. New fossils

am getting excited now. New fossils of

of the

of the lifeblood

of the lifeblood of

of the lifeblood of palaeontology,

of the lifeblood of palaeontology, without

without a

without a new

without a new find,

without a new find, it

without a new find, it will

without a new find, it will dry

without a new find, it will dry up,

without a new find, it will dry up, and

and it

and it keeps

and it keeps us

and it keeps us going,

and it keeps us going, finding

and it keeps us going, finding more

and it keeps us going, finding more information

information about

information about how

information about how they

information about how they lived

information about how they lived and

information about how they lived and evolved.

evolved. Will

evolved. Will you

evolved. Will you get

evolved. Will you get to

evolved. Will you get to name

evolved. Will you get to name it?

evolved. Will you get to name it? Marinosaurus

Marinosaurus Hilarii!

The

The plesiosaur

The plesiosaur I

The plesiosaur I met

The plesiosaur I met in

The plesiosaur I met in Oxford

The plesiosaur I met in Oxford had

The plesiosaur I met in Oxford had a

long,

long, thin

long, thin neck

The plesiosaur I met in Oxford had a long, thin neck

long, thin neck and

long, thin neck and tiny

long, thin neck and tiny head.

long, thin neck and tiny head. This

long, thin neck and tiny head. This is

is a

is a very

is a very different

is a very different beast.

is a very different beast. It

is a very different beast. It is

is a very different beast. It is almost

almost hard

almost hard to

almost hard to believe

almost hard to believe this

almost hard to believe this creature

almost hard to believe this creature was

was real.

was real. It

was real. It is

was real. It is a

was real. It is a replica

was real. It is a replica of

was real. It is a replica of a

was real. It is a replica of a real

was real. It is a replica of a real skull?

skull? The

skull? The real

skull? The real skull

skull? The real skull was

skull? The real skull was found

skull? The real skull was found in

skull? The real skull was found in Westbury,

Westbury, 1994,

Westbury, 1994, and

Westbury, 1994, and this

Westbury, 1994, and this is

Westbury, 1994, and this is a

Westbury, 1994, and this is a reconstruction.

reconstruction. It

reconstruction. It is

reconstruction. It is astounding.

reconstruction. It is astounding. The

The length

The length of

The length of the

The length of the skull

The length of the skull is

The length of the skull is 1.8

The length of the skull is 1.8 metres,

metres, which

metres, which meant

metres, which meant the

metres, which meant the creature

metres, which meant the creature was

metres, which meant the creature was eight

eight metres

eight metres long.

eight metres long. It

eight metres long. It is

eight metres long. It is mind

eight metres long. It is mind blowing.

blowing. One

blowing. One of

blowing. One of those

blowing. One of those we

blowing. One of those we saw

blowing. One of those we saw in

blowing. One of those we saw in the

blowing. One of those we saw in the film

film with

film with a

film with a short

film with a short neck.

film with a short neck. You

film with a short neck. You could

film with a short neck. You could not

not imagine

not imagine it

not imagine it on

not imagine it on a

not imagine it on a long

not imagine it on a long thin

not imagine it on a long thin neck.

film with a short neck. You could not imagine it on a long thin neck.

not imagine it on a long thin neck. They

They were

They were apex

They were apex predators?

They were apex predators? They

They were apex predators? They were

They were apex predators? They were extraordinary

extraordinary species,

extraordinary species, at

extraordinary species, at the

extraordinary species, at the top

extraordinary species, at the top of

extraordinary species, at the top of the

the food

the food chain.

the food chain. They

the food chain. They were

the food chain. They were fantastic

the food chain. They were fantastic predators,

predators, great

predators, great hunters.

predators, great hunters. This

predators, great hunters. This could

predators, great hunters. This could easily

easily eat

easily eat me.

easily eat me. And

easily eat me. And you.

easily eat me. And you. They

easily eat me. And you. They had

easily eat me. And you. They had an

easily eat me. And you. They had an incredible

incredible bite

incredible bite force.

incredible bite force. If

incredible bite force. If pliosaurs

incredible bite force. If pliosaurs were

were around

were around today,

were around today, it

were around today, it could

were around today, it could cut

were around today, it could cut a

were around today, it could cut a small

small car

small car in

small car in half.

small car in half. Extraordinary.

small car in half. Extraordinary. They

They were

They were not

They were not dinosaur,

They were not dinosaur, they

They were not dinosaur, they were

They were not dinosaur, they were marine

marine reptiles

marine reptiles but

marine reptiles but the

marine reptiles but the T

marine reptiles but the T Rex

marine reptiles but the T Rex of

marine reptiles but the T Rex of the

marine reptiles but the T Rex of the sea,

sea, I

sea, I guess.

sea, I guess. Domineering

sea, I guess. Domineering creatures.

sea, I guess. Domineering creatures. I

I will

I will position

I will position myself

I will position myself so

I will position myself so we

I will position myself so we can

I will position myself so we can see

I will position myself so we can see features

features of

features of the

features of the teeth.

features of the teeth. You

features of the teeth. You can

features of the teeth. You can see

features of the teeth. You can see ridges

ridges on

ridges on the

ridges on the teeth.

ridges on the teeth. They

ridges on the teeth. They have

ridges on the teeth. They have a

ridges on the teeth. They have a fantastic

fantastic function.

fantastic function. If

fantastic function. If I

fantastic function. If I do

fantastic function. If I do not

fantastic function. If I do not be

fantastic function. If I do not be so

so graphic,

so graphic, they

so graphic, they are

so graphic, they are fantastic

so graphic, they are fantastic for

so graphic, they are fantastic for slicing

slicing through

slicing through the

slicing through the flesh

slicing through the flesh of

slicing through the flesh of their

slicing through the flesh of their prey

prey and

prey and make

prey and make a

prey and make a clean

prey and make a clean exit

prey and make a clean exit wound

prey and make a clean exit wound which

which means

which means they

which means they can

which means they can crunch

which means they can crunch and

which means they can crunch and it

which means they can crunch and it goes

goes down

goes down the

goes down the gullet

goes down the gullet of

goes down the gullet of the

goes down the gullet of the tummy.

goes down the gullet of the tummy. They

They can

They can stop

They can stop the

They can stop the suction

They can stop the suction and

They can stop the suction and go

They can stop the suction and go in

They can stop the suction and go in and

and out.

and out. And

and out. And this

and out. And this was

and out. And this was a

and out. And this was a sea

and out. And this was a sea in

and out. And this was a sea in the

and out. And this was a sea in the Jurassic

Jurassic period.

Jurassic period. A

Jurassic period. A couple

Jurassic period. A couple of

Jurassic period. A couple of years

Jurassic period. A couple of years ago

ago in

ago in Weymouth

ago in Weymouth Bay,

ago in Weymouth Bay, a

ago in Weymouth Bay, a pliosaur

ago in Weymouth Bay, a pliosaur specimen

specimen was

specimen was found,

specimen was found, a

specimen was found, a slightly

specimen was found, a slightly different

different species

different species to

different species to this,

different species to this, more

different species to this, more dominant,

dominant, larger

dominant, larger and

dominant, larger and the

dominant, larger and the skull

dominant, larger and the skull was

dominant, larger and the skull was two

two metres

two metres long

two metres long which

two metres long which made

two metres long which made the

two metres long which made the creature

creature 18

creature 18 metres

creature 18 metres long.

creature 18 metres long. That

creature 18 metres long. That is

creature 18 metres long. That is today's

today's mission,

today's mission, to

today's mission, to find

today's mission, to find fossils.

today's mission, to find fossils. Last

Last night,

Last night, the

Last night, the mission

Last night, the mission was

Last night, the mission was to

Last night, the mission was to do

Last night, the mission was to do a

Last night, the mission was to do a live

live tank

live tank dive.

live tank dive. Circumstances

live tank dive. Circumstances conspired

conspired against

conspired against us.

live tank dive. Circumstances conspired against us.

conspired against us. Yes

Yes it

Yes it did

Yes it did not

Yes it did not go

Yes it did not go as

Yes it did not go as planned

Yes it did not go as planned but

Yes it did not go as planned but while

while on

while on the

while on the subject

while on the subject of

while on the subject of giant

while on the subject of giant monstrous

monstrous teeth,

monstrous teeth, these

monstrous teeth, these were

monstrous teeth, these were known

monstrous teeth, these were known as

monstrous teeth, these were known as Dragons'

Dragons' teeth,

Dragons' teeth, a

Dragons' teeth, a relic

Dragons' teeth, a relic of

Dragons' teeth, a relic of the

Dragons' teeth, a relic of the Second

Second World

Second World War,

Second World War, these

Second World War, these concrete

Dragons' teeth, a relic of the Second World War, these concrete

Second World War, these concrete blocks

blocks were

blocks were placed