Heidelberg Materials’ Grange Top quarry in Rutland, located near its Ketton cement works, has become the site of a groundbreaking paleontological discovery. A 170-million-year-old pterosaur bone, dating back to the Middle Jurassic period, was uncovered by the Peterborough Geological and Palaeontological Group (PGPG). This significant fossil find—the first pterosaur bone in the world from the Bajocian age and the first of its kind found in Rutland—provides new insights into prehistoric life in the region.
The pterosaur bone, characterized by its large size and hollow structure typical of flying vertebrates, was discovered in the Lincolnshire limestone layers, revealing a wingspan estimated to be between 3.5 to 4 meters. The discovery underscores the important role quarrying can play in archaeological and paleontological research, exposing fossils that would otherwise remain buried beneath layers of rock. Aurelien Colas, the Grange Top quarry manager, expressed excitement about how the quarry has contributed to understanding Rutland’s prehistoric past.
Heidelberg Materials is donating the fossil to Rutland County Museum in Oakham, where it will be on public display by the end of the year. This contribution follows other significant discoveries in Rutland, including the Rutland Water Ichthyosaur and a 4th-century Roman mosaic, enhancing the county’s reputation as a site of rich historical and prehistoric heritage.
