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Amateur Fossil Hunter Discovers Rare Crocodile Jawbone Fragment

4/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

Heather Salt, an amateur fossil hunter, found a rare upper jawbone fragment from the world's oldest marine crocodile along Lyme Regis shore.
She initially mistook the fragment for wood.
The fossil is one of 11 known specimens of this species, which lived about 190 million years ago, and is displayed at Lyme Regis Museum.
Dr. Paul Davis, the Lyme Regis Museum geology curator, said the discovery will help researchers understand evolution and marine adaptations in early crocodylomorphs.

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Story summary

Heather Salt, an amateur fossil hunter, found a rare upper jawbone fragment from the world's oldest marine crocodile along Lyme Regis shore.
She initially mistook the fragment for wood.
The fossil is one of 11 known specimens of this species, which lived about 190 million years ago, and is displayed at Lyme Regis Museum.
Dr. Paul Davis, the Lyme Regis Museum geology curator, said the discovery will help researchers understand evolution and marine adaptations in early crocodylomorphs.