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Attenborough: I'm on
the south coast of England
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in what is known
as the Jurassic Coast.
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150 million years ago,
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the land was ruled by dinosaurs.
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But the oceans were dominated
by a mysterious sea monster
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known as a pliosaur.
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Its remains are very rare,
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but some have just
been discovered
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in the cliffs behind me.
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This could be
one of the largest,
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best-preserved pliosaur skulls
ever found.
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And now working with scientists,
we can uncover more
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about this prehistoric giant
than ever before.
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What an extraordinary,
terrifying thing.
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Could this be the greatest
Jurassic predator...
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...that ever lived?
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[ Seabirds calling ]
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**
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Attenborough: Britain has
a wealth of fossil science,
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but perhaps none are quite
so famous as this,
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the Jurassic Coast.
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I've been collecting fossils
since I was a boy,
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and I haven't yet
got tired of it.
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These days, you're supposed
to wear glasses for safety.
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And if you would know
a locality,
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you would begin to recognize
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the sort of block
that might contain a fossil.
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And this rock was split earlier
to make it easier to show you.
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And if I can hit it quite hard
about there...
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What about that?
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Is anything more beautiful
than that?
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Fantastic.
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Finding even the smallest
fossils is a thrill,
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but discovering
something much larger
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can be an unforgettable moment.
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And that is exactly what
happened to a fossil enthusiast
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who was walking along a beach
near Kimmeridge Bay
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in Southwest England
one morning.
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Man: I just found something
quite extraordinary.
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It's the jaw
of a massive pliosaur.
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It's enormous.
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It's a massive pliosaur; it's
the best fossil I've ever found.
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It must have just come out of
the cliffs up there somewhere.
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Attenborough:
Renowned fossil expert
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Dr. Steve Etches
is called in,
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and he knows immediately
that it is hugely significant.
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Etches:
Look, look at those teeth.
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That's a tooth there, look.
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Let's have a look at the front.
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You can walk along here
for hundred of times
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and not find anything
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and then occasionally,
you'll hit the jackpot.
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Attenborough: And this certainly
is the jackpot.
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It's the snout of
an enormous pliosaur skull.
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And Steve suspects that
the rest of the head
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might still be imbedded
in the cliff above.
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But he needs to work fast
before the whole thing
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tumbles into the sea
and is lost forever.
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So he quickly gathers a team
of experts,
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including fellow fossil hunter
Chris Moore.
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Moore:
It's day one of the dig.
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Steve and team and diggers
are up on the cliffs,
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and they're putting a net down
to stop any loose rock
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rolling down and hitting us.
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And then we'll go down
and expose the skull.
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[ Drill pounding ]
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Attenborough:
Steve and Chris
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have worked together
for decades,
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but this is the biggest
challenge they have ever faced.
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The skull is nearly 40 feet up
from the base of the cliff...
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...and lying upside down
in a horizontal position.
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Its full length
is not yet known,
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but Steve believes
it could be over 6 feet long.
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But how did the fossil
end up here?
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Well, these rocks were once mud
on the seafloor...
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...in which the remains
of prehistoric marine creatures
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were buried.
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Over millions of years,
the continents shifted...
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the seas receded...
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and today, as these
cliffs erode,
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fossilized skeletons
are revealed.
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Etches:
The jaw is there and the idea
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is to actually cut
this down vertically
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and then we form a platform
where the fossil is.
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**
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Attenborough: I've known Chris
and Steve for many years,
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and I can't wait to join them
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and find out
how they're getting on.
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**
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Moore:
Here we've got a live feed,
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actually digging halfway up
the cliff face.
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What's happened so far--
the tip of the snout
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has already come out
and been recovered,
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so the rest of it
is going into the cliff.
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Attenborough: What exactly
are they doing there?
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Moore: At the moment, they are
using tinfoil to try
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and protect
the exposed piece of jaw...
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Attenborough: In case something
falls on it and breaks it.
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Moore: Yeah, yeah,
and then they're also
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using Superglue to consolidate
the crumbly teeth
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and parts that have
been weathered over millenniums.
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Attenborough: And they are
hanging by the ropes there.
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Moore: Yes. Pretty much
in the center of the cliff.
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Attenborough: Dear me.
Pretty dangerous stuff, this.
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Moore:
Yeah, yeah, it really is.
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After you've worked there
for a few hours,
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it becomes a bit more natural
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and you concentrate
on the actual digging.
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Attenborough:
You must be pretty sure
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that there is something there
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to put this amount of effort
into it, really.
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Moore: Oh, positive
there is something there.
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It's beautiful.
It's a beautiful specimen.
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- Attenborough: Is it?
- Moore: Yeah, amazing.
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Attenborough: But what can
this spectacular find reveal
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about the lives of these
mysterious sea creatures
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and the world they inhabited?
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In the late Jurassic, Europe was
an archipelago of islands,
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much closer to the equator
than it is today.
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Its seas were warm,
shallow and teeming with life.
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And in these waters
underneath my feet
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lurked the ultimate marine
predator, the pliosaur.
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**
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Unlike dinosaurs
that lived on land,
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these colossal marine reptiles
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spent their whole lives
in the ocean.
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Thought to have been
over 30 feet in length,
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similar to a double-decker bus.
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They had long, broad flippers,
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short, strong necks,
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huge heads...
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and enormous jaws.
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But there's still a lot
we don't know
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about these great sea monsters,
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which is why this new discovery
is so important.
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Steve believes
that the entire pliosaur
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may still be inside the cliff,
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but it's the skull on which
he is concentrating.
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A skull can reveal more
about an animal
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than any other part
of its skeleton.
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**
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Finding a complete specimen
is rare,
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but it can tell us a great deal
about how the animal lived.
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**
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[ Drill pounding ]
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Moore:
It's quite hot and thirsty work.
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Attenborough: Steve and Chris
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think they will
have about three weeks
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to dig the fossil out before
the storms of late summer come.
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Etches:
This is a learning curve.
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I thought, stupidly,
that it wouldn't be
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quite as hard as this.
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We're probably over a meter in.
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There's the skull
there just behind me.
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It's up to us now to get it out
without any damage.
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Attenborough: If the skull is
successfully extracted,
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it will be taken
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to the Etches Collection Museum
in Kimmeridge,
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which was founded by Steve
in 2016
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and now contains
nearly 3,000 fossils
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from the Jurassic period.
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This was where
the pliosaur snout
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was brought to be assessed.
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And I've come here to learn
what Steve has found out so far.
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What an extraordinary,
terrifying thing.
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Huge teeth.
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Etches: They are.
They're massive.
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These big, fang-like teeth
that come up.
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Attenborough:
And they interlock.
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Etches: Yes, they do.
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Attenborough: So how far
do these teeth extend?
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Etches:
They come right up here.
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Attenborough: Is that
characteristic of this?
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Etches: Yes, typical pliosaur.
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Trihedral teeth,
they're sort of...
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They got two sharp,
cutting edges
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and then a flat face
on the inside.
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Attenborough:
And they must have used that
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to rip apart ichthyosaurs.
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Etches: Ichthyosaurs,
plesiosaurus as well.
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We've got evidence in the museum
because they've got
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sub-triangular teeth,
when they bite in the bone,
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they leave
a very distinctive tooth hole.
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Attenborough:
Steve's collection contains
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a limb bone of a plesiosaur,
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another large marine reptile,
which has bite marks on it
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that exactly match the size
and shape of pliosaur teeth.
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What a godsend it is that
the teeth are triangular
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so that you are able
to then identify prey...
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- Etches: Oh, yeah.
- Attenborough: ...just as much
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as you can identify
the predator.
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Etches: That's right.
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Attenborough:
That's pretty unusual
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to find teeth in position.
- Etches: It is.
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This is the first pliosaur
I've ever seen
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with actually closed jaws.
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Attenborough:
It is extraordinary.
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It is quite extraordinary.
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And there is another
unusual feature on this snout.
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Etches: So let me show you
the other side.
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I'll spin it 'round.
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Attenborough: Oh, gosh,
there's a lot of stuff here.
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Etches: Oh, yeah.
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Attenborough: And these,
these holes here...
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Etches: Why I think
these are sensory pits,
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they're all on the snout.
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If you look at them, they go...
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See, they strike back in
at an angle, you know?
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They're sensory pits
for picking up his prey,
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I'm pretty sure.
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Pretty impressive beast.
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Attenborough: Astonishing.
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But exactly how did
these sensory pits
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help our pliosaur to hunt?
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These days, we have equipment
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that can help us answer
such a question.
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We take the snout to
the University of Southampton,
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which has some of the most
powerful CT scanners in the UK.
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Once the snout has been scanned,
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paleobiologist
Dr. Neil Gostling
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looks for clues
about the sensory abilities
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of our pliosaur.
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So what does this scan tell us?
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Gostling:
I've taken the CT data,
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and we can rack our way
through this stack of images
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and we can see
all of those internal structures
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which otherwise wouldn't have
been revealed to us.
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And there were some things,
which are, I think,
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quite exciting.
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We've got these little
structures in red
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and I had to do these each one,
slice by slice, dot by dot,
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because there's lots of
imperfections and holes in it,
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but these are continuous.
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And I think these are
blood vessels,
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little branching blood vessels.
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Attenborough: Oh, come on.
239
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You're really telling me
this block of stone
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can show blood vessels?
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Gostling: Yes, and what I think
we've got here
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are actually branches
of the trigeminal nerve
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and these are the sensory
nerves in your face
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that allow you to feel
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fingers dancing over your cheeks
and what have you.
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But if you're in water and
you've got these sensory pits,
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you can detect changes
in pressure.
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That's going to give you
an advantage
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in what might be murky water
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where your eyes
aren't working so well,
251
00:13:30,333 --> 00:13:31,867
so you can always be sure
252
00:13:31,867 --> 00:13:33,967
that you're going to
catch your next meal.
253
00:13:33,967 --> 00:13:36,500
Attenborough: Fantastic.
254
00:13:36,500 --> 00:13:40,133
Knowing how these senses worked,
we can start to build up
255
00:13:40,133 --> 00:13:43,667
a picture
of how our pliosaur hunted.
256
00:13:46,933 --> 00:13:49,667
Its prey...
257
00:13:49,667 --> 00:13:53,667
ichthyosaurs--
reptiles much the same shape
258
00:13:53,667 --> 00:13:58,567
as a modern dolphin
and similarly fast and agile.
259
00:14:01,533 --> 00:14:06,433
The sensory pits found
on our pliosaur's snout
260
00:14:06,433 --> 00:14:09,867
may have acted
like miniature pressure pads,
261
00:14:09,867 --> 00:14:13,400
detecting the turbulence
produced by ichthyosaurs
262
00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:15,967
as they swam through deep water.
263
00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:21,467
In effect, our pliosaur was able
to stalk its prey
264
00:14:21,467 --> 00:14:26,567
even in the darkest depths
just by using its skin.
265
00:14:26,567 --> 00:14:30,167
**
266
00:14:30,167 --> 00:14:35,833
There are animals today that
have similar sensory systems.
267
00:14:35,833 --> 00:14:39,633
Crocodiles have over
9,000 pressure receptors,
268
00:14:39,633 --> 00:14:42,667
which are concentrated
on their snouts,
269
00:14:42,667 --> 00:14:45,233
each one of which is thought
to be 10 times
270
00:14:45,233 --> 00:14:48,567
more sensitive
than a human's fingertip.
271
00:14:56,100 --> 00:14:59,600
Two weeks into the dig
and the work is proving to be
272
00:14:59,600 --> 00:15:03,133
even harder
than anyone was expecting.
273
00:15:03,133 --> 00:15:07,500
**
274
00:15:07,500 --> 00:15:10,467
Moore: Let me throw
this big chunk away.
275
00:15:10,467 --> 00:15:14,667
Attenborough: But at last,
there's a breakthrough.
276
00:15:14,667 --> 00:15:17,933
Moore: There is something
under there, which is huge.
277
00:15:17,933 --> 00:15:20,633
Here you've got the jaw showing
278
00:15:20,633 --> 00:15:23,367
and this one
is heading back this way.
279
00:15:23,367 --> 00:15:25,567
It's gonna be
the underneath of the skull.
280
00:15:25,567 --> 00:15:27,433
Etches:
There's a vertebrae there;
281
00:15:27,433 --> 00:15:29,133
there's another vertebrae there.
282
00:15:29,133 --> 00:15:30,600
Attenborough:
Finding these bones
283
00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:35,233
confirms that the entire skull
really is inside the cliff.
284
00:15:35,233 --> 00:15:37,200
Moore: It's nice to actually
see something.
285
00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:40,633
You feel like you've been
rewarded a bit.
286
00:15:40,633 --> 00:15:44,500
Etches: What Alex is doing here
is chipping out a loose tooth.
287
00:15:44,500 --> 00:15:46,000
Hang on, that's a crown.
- Alex: Yeah.
288
00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:47,167
Etches: Oh, that's interesting.
289
00:15:47,167 --> 00:15:49,100
Yeah, keep going.
290
00:15:49,100 --> 00:15:50,333
This is part of the root
291
00:15:50,333 --> 00:15:52,400
and there is
a pulp cavity there.
292
00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:56,367
That tooth would be probably
about 10 inches long.
293
00:15:56,367 --> 00:15:57,700
[ Thunder rumbling ]
294
00:15:57,700 --> 00:15:59,900
Moore: Oh, the thunder is
coming. Oh, look at that.
295
00:15:59,900 --> 00:16:01,067
Attenborough: Just as the dig
296
00:16:01,067 --> 00:16:03,767
is revealing
further exciting finds...
297
00:16:03,767 --> 00:16:06,033
- Man: Come on, guys.
- Etches: Yeah, come on.
298
00:16:06,033 --> 00:16:07,167
Man:
Because we've got a lot to do.
299
00:16:07,167 --> 00:16:08,833
We've got to get you all up.
300
00:16:08,833 --> 00:16:11,467
Attenborough: ...conditions
become treacherous
301
00:16:11,467 --> 00:16:14,300
and the rope safety team
decides
302
00:16:14,300 --> 00:16:17,433
that it's too dangerous
to continue.
303
00:16:17,433 --> 00:16:20,400
Etches: Now it's rained,
this lithified mudstone
304
00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:23,367
has turned to like a slippery
clay; it's lethal.
305
00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,200
There's certainly no way now,
with us stopping now,
306
00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:32,233
that we're gonna get it done
in those days left.
307
00:16:34,200 --> 00:16:36,367
Attenborough:
The weather may be against them,
308
00:16:36,367 --> 00:16:40,400
but finding a pliosaur tooth
is a real stroke of luck.
309
00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:43,733
It could also help us understand
310
00:16:43,733 --> 00:16:48,567
more about the type of prey
our sea monster could eat.
311
00:16:52,233 --> 00:16:55,000
The teeth of marine
predators vary
312
00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:57,133
according to their function.
313
00:17:01,033 --> 00:17:04,600
Some are used to shred
and slice.
314
00:17:06,700 --> 00:17:09,500
Others to grasp or crush.
315
00:17:11,867 --> 00:17:15,700
So what do we know about
the teeth of our pliosaur?
316
00:17:15,700 --> 00:17:17,433
[ Machine beeping ]
317
00:17:19,900 --> 00:17:22,700
Back in Southampton,
the investigation
318
00:17:22,700 --> 00:17:24,233
of the pliosaur snout
319
00:17:24,233 --> 00:17:28,000
has revealed something
even more intriguing.
320
00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:31,300
These teeth are extraordinarily
well preserved, aren't they?
321
00:17:31,300 --> 00:17:34,467
Is there new information
that we can get from this?
322
00:17:34,467 --> 00:17:36,733
Gostling:
Well, from the CT scan,
323
00:17:36,733 --> 00:17:40,200
if we take it back again
so we can expose the teeth,
324
00:17:40,200 --> 00:17:42,433
these are large pointed teeth
325
00:17:42,433 --> 00:17:44,833
and these are really
well adapted
326
00:17:44,833 --> 00:17:47,767
for grasping slippery fish,
327
00:17:47,767 --> 00:17:50,867
but this is on an order
of magnitude larger,
328
00:17:50,867 --> 00:17:54,600
which would have allowed it
to eat all sorts of prey
329
00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:55,967
that are swimming around
330
00:17:55,967 --> 00:17:58,400
in the ancient
Kimmeridge Bay of the time.
331
00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:02,200
Attenborough: Were the teeth
permanent or were they replaced?
332
00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:04,000
Gostling:
As we move it back through,
333
00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:06,100
we can see that we've got
individual teeth
334
00:18:06,100 --> 00:18:07,467
almost all the way along.
335
00:18:07,467 --> 00:18:11,367
However, in one place,
we've got this little tooth here
336
00:18:11,367 --> 00:18:13,800
and this is a replacement tooth.
337
00:18:13,800 --> 00:18:16,133
The thing that most animals
die of
338
00:18:16,133 --> 00:18:17,633
is that their teeth
have worn out
339
00:18:17,633 --> 00:18:18,967
and they can't feed anymore.
340
00:18:18,967 --> 00:18:23,333
And if you are a large predator,
and you are catching large prey,
341
00:18:23,333 --> 00:18:26,400
you might lose teeth
relatively frequently.
342
00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:29,867
Well, this isn't such an issue
if you can replace your teeth
343
00:18:29,867 --> 00:18:32,700
multiple times
throughout your life.
344
00:18:32,700 --> 00:18:35,500
Attenborough: Not only
were its teeth replaceable,
345
00:18:35,500 --> 00:18:38,333
but they were also
shaped differently--
346
00:18:38,333 --> 00:18:41,667
long and sharp
towards the front of its jaws,
347
00:18:41,667 --> 00:18:44,100
more hook-like at the back.
348
00:18:45,300 --> 00:18:48,900
This deadly combination
meant that pliosaurs
349
00:18:48,900 --> 00:18:51,500
could feed
in a variety of ways,
350
00:18:51,500 --> 00:18:54,433
from grabbing large sharks
and squid
351
00:18:54,433 --> 00:18:57,800
to gripping smaller,
slippery fish.
352
00:18:57,800 --> 00:19:05,133
**
353
00:19:05,133 --> 00:19:08,467
Three weeks into the dig,
the weather is holding.
354
00:19:10,500 --> 00:19:13,533
And now the biggest question
for Steve and Chris
355
00:19:13,533 --> 00:19:16,567
is how to lift
the skull off the cliff.
356
00:19:16,567 --> 00:19:18,333
Etches:
I reckon we take out a big slab.
357
00:19:18,333 --> 00:19:20,500
- Moore: One piece?
- Etches: Cut it underneath.
358
00:19:20,500 --> 00:19:21,900
- Moore: What, cut it underneath?
- Etches: Yeah.
359
00:19:21,900 --> 00:19:24,233
- Moore: All the way through.
- Etches: Yeah.
360
00:19:24,233 --> 00:19:25,733
I can't see any other way
of doing it.
361
00:19:25,733 --> 00:19:28,167
If we do it any other way,
it's gonna just crumble up.
362
00:19:28,167 --> 00:19:29,500
What do you think?
363
00:19:29,500 --> 00:19:32,067
Moore: I think I'm going home
and not coming back.
364
00:19:32,067 --> 00:19:34,967
[ Laughs ]
365
00:19:34,967 --> 00:19:37,200
Attenborough:
Luckily for Steve and Chris,
366
00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:40,133
friend and local farmer
Robert Vernicom
367
00:19:40,133 --> 00:19:43,033
has been devising a solution.
368
00:19:45,033 --> 00:19:46,533
He's building a crate
369
00:19:46,533 --> 00:19:49,067
which will be lowered
down the cliff
370
00:19:49,067 --> 00:19:52,033
into which the skull
will be maneuvered
371
00:19:52,033 --> 00:19:54,200
and then hauled up to the top.
372
00:19:54,200 --> 00:19:57,667
Vernicom: The theory is that
whatever angle the skids are
373
00:19:57,667 --> 00:19:58,867
as it comes up the cliff,
374
00:19:58,867 --> 00:20:01,167
the box stays level
to protect the fossil
375
00:20:01,167 --> 00:20:03,900
because we're trying to keep
the fossil as level as possible.
376
00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:08,567
Attenborough: The big day
finally arrives,
377
00:20:08,567 --> 00:20:11,767
and a local army of helpers
is assembled
378
00:20:11,767 --> 00:20:15,067
for this crucial stage
of the operation.
379
00:20:16,367 --> 00:20:18,167
And Steve is feeling
the pressure.
380
00:20:18,167 --> 00:20:20,067
Etches: Well,
the best in the world,
381
00:20:20,067 --> 00:20:21,700
it looks like
it's all gonna function,
382
00:20:21,700 --> 00:20:23,667
but the risk is immense.
383
00:20:23,667 --> 00:20:24,967
You know,
what happens if it
384
00:20:24,967 --> 00:20:26,367
just actually turned
on its side?
385
00:20:26,367 --> 00:20:28,800
There's a lot of things
that could go wrong,
386
00:20:28,800 --> 00:20:31,400
so it's a risky sort of time.
387
00:20:32,500 --> 00:20:34,200
Attenborough:
This is one of the largest
388
00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:38,233
and best-preserved
pliosaur skulls ever found.
389
00:20:38,233 --> 00:20:42,267
So the stakes are
very high indeed.
390
00:20:42,267 --> 00:20:44,567
[ Indistinct conversations ]
391
00:20:44,567 --> 00:20:49,233
**
392
00:20:49,233 --> 00:20:51,267
Etches: When it comes down,
we've got to get that aligned
393
00:20:51,267 --> 00:20:55,400
and we got to get that jaw,
that skull, inside that box.
394
00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:58,267
Moore: And we've got to be
really careful.
395
00:20:58,267 --> 00:21:00,133
That sled has got a metal bar
396
00:21:00,133 --> 00:21:03,467
and as it comes down,
it doesn't hit the nose.
397
00:21:05,600 --> 00:21:07,333
Etches: No one has ever done
this before, ever.
398
00:21:07,333 --> 00:21:09,133
Moore:
Extracting a giant skull
399
00:21:09,133 --> 00:21:12,500
halfway down a cliff face?
400
00:21:12,500 --> 00:21:14,633
Attenborough: The crate
must be lowered into position
401
00:21:14,633 --> 00:21:18,800
with great precision if the
skull is not to be damaged.
402
00:21:19,967 --> 00:21:21,500
Moore: The position
it's coming down in,
403
00:21:21,500 --> 00:21:25,433
it's almost-- it's gonna
glance the side of the skull.
404
00:21:25,433 --> 00:21:26,767
Woman: Stop!
405
00:21:26,767 --> 00:21:29,033
- Man on radio: Stop!
- Woman: Stop.
406
00:21:29,033 --> 00:21:31,933
Moore: So somehow we've got
to manually try and move
407
00:21:31,933 --> 00:21:34,833
the whole sled over.
408
00:21:34,833 --> 00:21:36,933
Etches: I think
we can afford to do
409
00:21:36,933 --> 00:21:39,567
30 centimeters lower
and no more.
410
00:21:41,267 --> 00:21:43,767
Attenborough: After weeks
of backbreaking work,
411
00:21:43,767 --> 00:21:46,233
emotions are running high.
412
00:21:46,233 --> 00:21:48,300
- Etches: Down!
- Moore: Quick, quicker!
413
00:21:50,867 --> 00:21:53,767
This moment is really fraught.
414
00:21:53,767 --> 00:21:58,733
We've got one skid just about
glancing side of the skull
415
00:21:58,733 --> 00:22:00,400
and we've got to try
and pull it out now
416
00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:01,867
to get it over the edge.
417
00:22:01,867 --> 00:22:03,433
Vernicom: Very slowly.
418
00:22:03,433 --> 00:22:04,667
6 inches.
419
00:22:04,667 --> 00:22:07,600
Attenborough:
One clumsy move
420
00:22:07,600 --> 00:22:10,133
and the skull could be smashed.
421
00:22:10,133 --> 00:22:14,500
**
422
00:22:14,500 --> 00:22:15,900
Etches: Oh, my...
423
00:22:15,900 --> 00:22:17,900
Moore: Pull, pull again.
424
00:22:17,900 --> 00:22:19,667
Missed it.
We've done it.
425
00:22:19,667 --> 00:22:20,800
Vernicom: Stop, stop!
426
00:22:20,800 --> 00:22:23,100
Etches:
It's all pretty stressful.
427
00:22:23,100 --> 00:22:26,333
Every part of this is really,
really stressful.
428
00:22:26,333 --> 00:22:30,067
Moore: After quite a few hours,
we have got it into position.
429
00:22:30,067 --> 00:22:33,333
We haven't knocked the end
of the snout off, so far,
430
00:22:33,333 --> 00:22:35,333
and it's all ready to go.
431
00:22:37,067 --> 00:22:40,667
Attenborough: But the next stage
looks even more risky.
432
00:22:40,667 --> 00:22:42,900
Man:
Just retreat from the edge,
433
00:22:42,900 --> 00:22:45,167
and we're going
up the ropes now.
434
00:22:45,167 --> 00:22:49,300
Moore: Al and Steve are gonna
go up to the hole
435
00:22:49,300 --> 00:22:52,967
and attach the winch
and then start the process
436
00:22:52,967 --> 00:22:55,767
of slowly dragging it
into the box.
437
00:22:57,433 --> 00:23:01,400
Attenborough: Shifting a fossil
that weighs over half a ton
438
00:23:01,400 --> 00:23:03,500
is really dangerous.
439
00:23:05,233 --> 00:23:06,633
Moore: Move in.
440
00:23:06,633 --> 00:23:08,833
Very nervous
and it's very tense,
441
00:23:08,833 --> 00:23:10,500
so let's see how it goes.
442
00:23:10,500 --> 00:23:16,233
**
443
00:23:16,233 --> 00:23:17,867
Etches: Ooh. Go on.
444
00:23:19,600 --> 00:23:20,633
That's better.
445
00:23:20,633 --> 00:23:22,233
Man: Whoa!
446
00:23:22,233 --> 00:23:25,167
Right, I think slide
it straight in.
447
00:23:25,167 --> 00:23:29,267
Moore: Steve, is it okay?
Has it come off okay?
448
00:23:29,267 --> 00:23:30,767
Etches:
Well, we're losing a bit of it,
449
00:23:30,767 --> 00:23:32,633
but we can't help it, mate.
450
00:23:32,633 --> 00:23:35,967
Go on. Go on.
451
00:23:35,967 --> 00:23:37,500
Now it's on it.
There you go.
452
00:23:37,500 --> 00:23:41,200
Alex: Good, that will do.
453
00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:42,167
That's well in.
454
00:23:42,167 --> 00:23:43,633
Etches:
It's right in the case now.
455
00:23:43,633 --> 00:23:45,167
Vernicom: Yay, the fossil's in.
456
00:23:45,167 --> 00:23:48,333
Woman: Brilliant. Brilliant.
We're all cheering here.
457
00:23:48,333 --> 00:23:49,533
Well done, well done.
458
00:23:49,533 --> 00:23:51,567
Vernicom: Well done, everybody.
459
00:23:51,567 --> 00:23:53,967
Moore: Right. Well done.
Brilliant.
460
00:23:53,967 --> 00:23:56,167
We've overcome a lot of problems
to get this far
461
00:23:56,167 --> 00:23:58,800
and we've done it
by the skin of our teeth.
462
00:24:00,267 --> 00:24:03,533
Attenborough: The skull
at last is in the crate.
463
00:24:03,533 --> 00:24:05,433
Etches:
Take up the slack again.
464
00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:09,800
Attenborough:
But shifting it carelessly,
465
00:24:09,800 --> 00:24:13,033
let alone dropping it,
could be disastrous.
466
00:24:14,833 --> 00:24:16,033
Vernicom: Come over a bit.
467
00:24:16,033 --> 00:24:17,933
So there will be
six ropes coming up
468
00:24:17,933 --> 00:24:20,800
to be able to lift it
and hold it steady...
469
00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:22,167
hopefully.
470
00:24:22,167 --> 00:24:25,300
With the tide coming in
and the sun setting,
471
00:24:25,300 --> 00:24:27,033
we could cut at any point.
472
00:24:29,867 --> 00:24:32,033
Okay, right.
473
00:24:32,033 --> 00:24:33,300
Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa.
474
00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:39,167
Attenborough:
Finally, the skull is safe.
475
00:24:39,167 --> 00:24:41,133
- Moore: Brilliant, Rob.
- Vernicom: Well done.
476
00:24:41,133 --> 00:24:42,833
Moore: Well done.
477
00:24:47,133 --> 00:24:49,433
It's amazing.
478
00:24:49,433 --> 00:24:51,933
Etches: It's a dream come true
and I tell you what,
479
00:24:51,933 --> 00:24:53,200
I don't think anyone
in their right
480
00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:56,233
would ever believe
we could have ever done it.
481
00:24:56,233 --> 00:24:58,833
Three weeks ago, it was buried
in a cliff face.
482
00:24:58,833 --> 00:25:00,633
Found a top 13 predator
483
00:25:00,633 --> 00:25:02,333
and now we're bringing it back
to life
484
00:25:02,333 --> 00:25:05,167
and this will be one of the best
that's ever been found.
485
00:25:06,900 --> 00:25:07,967
Moore: Good on you.
486
00:25:07,967 --> 00:25:10,833
Etches: Oh, none of that.
487
00:25:10,833 --> 00:25:12,700
Get off, you little devils.
488
00:25:12,700 --> 00:25:16,067
God, dear, oh, dear!
489
00:25:16,067 --> 00:25:20,033
It's out.
The next stage starts.
490
00:25:23,700 --> 00:25:28,267
**
491
00:25:28,267 --> 00:25:33,300
Attenborough: The skull is
transported to Steve's workshop.
492
00:25:33,300 --> 00:25:35,833
Man: Ready, go.
493
00:25:37,500 --> 00:25:39,167
Right up.
494
00:25:39,167 --> 00:25:40,633
Moore: Oh, my God.
495
00:25:40,633 --> 00:25:42,500
Etches: The mudstone has cracked
and dried.
496
00:25:42,500 --> 00:25:45,367
Of course what it's done is just
cracked the bone as well.
497
00:25:45,367 --> 00:25:46,600
Jeepers creepers.
498
00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:48,300
Moore: You'll be fine.
499
00:25:48,300 --> 00:25:49,867
Etches: Oh, yeah.
500
00:25:51,200 --> 00:25:53,167
Attenborough:
The painstaking task
501
00:25:53,167 --> 00:25:55,733
of removing the stone
from around the skull
502
00:25:55,733 --> 00:25:58,667
so that it can be examined
in detail...
503
00:26:00,267 --> 00:26:03,533
...can at last begin.
504
00:26:03,533 --> 00:26:06,100
After the heavy work of the dig,
505
00:26:06,100 --> 00:26:09,933
this stage requires
a delicate touch.
506
00:26:09,933 --> 00:26:14,633
First, Steve removes the rocks
around in the fossil
507
00:26:14,633 --> 00:26:17,200
so that the fragile areas
of the skull
508
00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:19,067
can be strengthened.
509
00:26:19,067 --> 00:26:23,167
Then, using
an air-abrasion tool,
510
00:26:23,167 --> 00:26:26,767
he starts work to reveal
the more intricate details
511
00:26:26,767 --> 00:26:31,000
about the anatomy
of this extraordinary animal.
512
00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:36,667
This giant sea monster,
after 150 million years,
513
00:26:36,667 --> 00:26:40,300
finally begins to emerge
from the rock.
514
00:26:42,833 --> 00:26:45,667
And I have the privilege
of coming to see
515
00:26:45,667 --> 00:26:48,700
this whole skull
for the first time.
516
00:26:50,500 --> 00:26:53,500
So here it is.
517
00:26:53,500 --> 00:26:56,633
And it's enormous.
518
00:26:56,633 --> 00:26:59,567
I am meeting
Dr. Judyth Sassoon,
519
00:26:59,567 --> 00:27:03,433
a paleontologist who has
studied pliosaur specimens
520
00:27:03,433 --> 00:27:06,067
for decades.
521
00:27:06,067 --> 00:27:08,967
Does it still take your breath
away as it takes mine?
522
00:27:08,967 --> 00:27:11,267
Sassoon: It is the most
astonishing specimen, David.
523
00:27:11,267 --> 00:27:15,933
I'm very pleased to be part
of the work on it.
524
00:27:18,367 --> 00:27:21,367
Attenborough: What insights can
Judyth give us into the life
525
00:27:21,367 --> 00:27:23,767
of this ancient monster?
526
00:27:26,800 --> 00:27:27,967
How's it coming along?
527
00:27:27,967 --> 00:27:30,667
What sort of detail you can get
from this,
528
00:27:30,667 --> 00:27:32,200
which you never knew before?
529
00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:35,100
Sassoon: Steve Etches
has been working on it now
530
00:27:35,100 --> 00:27:36,167
for several months
531
00:27:36,167 --> 00:27:38,900
and has made
some fabulous progress.
532
00:27:38,900 --> 00:27:41,933
We're seeing,
as it's being prepared,
533
00:27:41,933 --> 00:27:45,567
gradually more and more detail
being revealed.
534
00:27:45,567 --> 00:27:50,733
So far we have some information
about its senses.
535
00:27:50,733 --> 00:27:52,933
Attenborough: Really?
Was their eyesight good?
536
00:27:52,933 --> 00:27:54,633
Sassoon:
There are indications
537
00:27:54,633 --> 00:27:58,400
that, in fact,
it could have been.
538
00:27:58,400 --> 00:28:03,600
The eyes themselves were
quite important for this animal.
539
00:28:03,600 --> 00:28:07,600
One of the reasons
is the position itself.
540
00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:10,933
The eyes are on the side
of the head,
541
00:28:10,933 --> 00:28:16,600
more or less in the middle,
so not too high and not too low.
542
00:28:18,267 --> 00:28:21,300
Attenborough: This important
feature of the skull
543
00:28:21,300 --> 00:28:26,233
may suggest how our pliosaur
hunted in the open ocean.
544
00:28:29,167 --> 00:28:32,700
The position of the eyes
in living animals varies
545
00:28:32,700 --> 00:28:35,567
according to the way
in which they hunt.
546
00:28:37,933 --> 00:28:41,133
Dolphins are pursuit hunters.
547
00:28:41,133 --> 00:28:44,633
Their eyes are placed
on the side of their heads
548
00:28:44,633 --> 00:28:47,000
giving them panoramic vision...
549
00:28:49,767 --> 00:28:53,200
...helping them to attack
their prey more accurately.
550
00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:59,000
Ambush predators,
such as crocodiles,
551
00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:02,700
have eyes higher up
on their heads.
552
00:29:05,000 --> 00:29:08,100
So they can remain
just below the surface
553
00:29:08,100 --> 00:29:13,033
with only their eyes above water
and judge when to attack.
554
00:29:13,033 --> 00:29:17,867
**
555
00:29:17,867 --> 00:29:21,867
Our pliosaur seems to have
had something in between...
556
00:29:23,067 --> 00:29:25,733
...with an eye position
that not only enabled it
557
00:29:25,733 --> 00:29:29,733
to pursue prey through water
with accuracy
558
00:29:29,733 --> 00:29:34,000
but alternatively surprise it
by attacking from below.
559
00:29:36,800 --> 00:29:39,667
And there is another
remarkable feature,
560
00:29:39,667 --> 00:29:41,567
which could tell us more about
561
00:29:41,567 --> 00:29:45,333
where our sea monster
may have hunted.
562
00:29:45,333 --> 00:29:47,100
Sassoon: We talked about eyes,
563
00:29:47,100 --> 00:29:50,033
there is also another
interesting structure,
564
00:29:50,033 --> 00:29:53,200
which is the parietal eye.
565
00:29:53,200 --> 00:29:57,367
In many reptiles,
this still exists.
566
00:29:57,367 --> 00:30:00,067
When it is present
in terrestrial animals,
567
00:30:00,067 --> 00:30:04,233
it has a full eye structure
like the lateral eyes
568
00:30:04,233 --> 00:30:06,467
and is light-sensitive.
569
00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:12,133
Attenborough: The parietal eye
on the top of the head
570
00:30:12,133 --> 00:30:14,633
is something of a puzzle.
571
00:30:14,633 --> 00:30:16,967
It's known as a third eye
572
00:30:16,967 --> 00:30:20,600
and is still found
in a few living species.
573
00:30:20,600 --> 00:30:25,367
It apparently helps an animal
to regulate its body clock.
574
00:30:25,367 --> 00:30:29,700
**
575
00:30:29,700 --> 00:30:34,400
The pliosaur's parietal eye
is thought to have had a lens,
576
00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:37,967
a cornea and a retina.
577
00:30:37,967 --> 00:30:40,833
Although its exact function
is unclear,
578
00:30:40,833 --> 00:30:43,400
it may have enabled
our sea monster
579
00:30:43,400 --> 00:30:48,067
to gauge which way was up
when swimming at depth
580
00:30:48,067 --> 00:30:52,033
and potentially navigate
deeper hunting grounds.
581
00:30:53,833 --> 00:30:57,167
What other questions would
you have wished the skull
582
00:30:57,167 --> 00:30:58,833
to provide answers for?
583
00:30:58,833 --> 00:31:01,900
Sassoon: I've already made some
measurements on this animal
584
00:31:01,900 --> 00:31:04,933
and the proportions do seem
to be different
585
00:31:04,933 --> 00:31:07,733
from other pliosaurs
that we know.
586
00:31:07,733 --> 00:31:12,033
The skull is quite long-snouted,
587
00:31:12,033 --> 00:31:16,033
but the position of the nose
and the eye
588
00:31:16,033 --> 00:31:19,400
and also of the crest suggest
589
00:31:19,400 --> 00:31:22,267
that it is something else,
something new.
590
00:31:22,267 --> 00:31:24,167
Attenborough:
A new species of pliosaur?
591
00:31:24,167 --> 00:31:25,600
Sassoon: Of pliosaur.
592
00:31:25,600 --> 00:31:26,900
- Attenborough: A new species?
- Sassoon: Yes.
593
00:31:26,900 --> 00:31:28,467
Attenborough: Really?
594
00:31:28,467 --> 00:31:31,300
Sassoon: I think it could be.
Yes.
595
00:31:31,300 --> 00:31:33,967
Attenborough: The revelation
that our pliosaur
596
00:31:33,967 --> 00:31:38,233
could be a new species
is truly exciting.
597
00:31:38,233 --> 00:31:44,533
**
598
00:31:44,533 --> 00:31:50,467
There are only eight recognized
species of pliosaur
599
00:31:50,467 --> 00:31:56,167
and this skull is certain
to provide new scientific data
600
00:31:56,167 --> 00:32:02,133
on the evolution of these
mysterious marine reptiles.
601
00:32:02,133 --> 00:32:04,833
I have to say,
you take my breath away.
602
00:32:04,833 --> 00:32:08,133
The detail
which you can deduce,
603
00:32:08,133 --> 00:32:09,467
it is mind-blowing, I think.
604
00:32:09,467 --> 00:32:11,633
I mean, that's
what paleontology is about.
605
00:32:11,633 --> 00:32:14,767
I used to think it was just
a question of finding a fossil
606
00:32:14,767 --> 00:32:17,633
and digging it out
and saying how nice it was.
607
00:32:17,633 --> 00:32:20,200
You've made it sound
rather different.
608
00:32:20,200 --> 00:32:24,633
**
609
00:32:24,633 --> 00:32:28,533
In recent decades,
huge advances have been made
610
00:32:28,533 --> 00:32:32,000
in our ability
to study prehistoric animals.
611
00:32:33,333 --> 00:32:37,467
And we can now investigate the
predator power of our pliosaur
612
00:32:37,467 --> 00:32:40,367
in more detail than ever before.
613
00:32:43,833 --> 00:32:48,967
Paleobiologist Dr. Andre Rowe
is a world-leading expert
614
00:32:48,967 --> 00:32:53,067
in 3D visualization of fossils.
615
00:32:53,067 --> 00:32:54,133
Rowe: The first thoughts--
616
00:32:54,133 --> 00:32:55,467
this thing
is absolutely massive.
617
00:32:55,467 --> 00:32:56,933
And I will also add
618
00:32:56,933 --> 00:32:59,300
that the level
of preservation is amazing.
619
00:32:59,300 --> 00:33:00,967
This is actually
a one in a million,
620
00:33:00,967 --> 00:33:05,300
maybe one in a billion
type specimen here.
621
00:33:05,300 --> 00:33:07,500
Attenborough:
Using the latest technology,
622
00:33:07,500 --> 00:33:08,833
Andre is carrying out
623
00:33:08,833 --> 00:33:13,767
the world's first surface scan
of a pliosaur skull.
624
00:33:17,700 --> 00:33:20,433
Rowe: So right now, we're
capturing basically hundreds
625
00:33:20,433 --> 00:33:22,467
of thousands of images
all at once.
626
00:33:22,467 --> 00:33:25,900
The end result is a really
nice-looking 3D model.
627
00:33:25,900 --> 00:33:27,933
I think we'll be able to unlock
a lot of mysteries
628
00:33:27,933 --> 00:33:30,000
about what these sea monsters
were doing
629
00:33:30,000 --> 00:33:32,833
and I'm really excited
to see where it takes us.
630
00:33:35,667 --> 00:33:38,833
Attenborough: Once the scan
has been finalized,
631
00:33:38,833 --> 00:33:42,500
I meet Andre at the University
of Bristol
632
00:33:42,500 --> 00:33:45,500
to discuss his findings.
633
00:33:45,500 --> 00:33:48,233
Has he seen anything
at the skull structure
634
00:33:48,233 --> 00:33:49,833
that shows our sea monster
635
00:33:49,833 --> 00:33:53,733
had the power of
a truly deadly predator?
636
00:33:54,633 --> 00:33:57,000
Rowe: There are some massive
openings back here,
637
00:33:57,000 --> 00:33:58,333
along the jaw line,
638
00:33:58,333 --> 00:34:00,567
and that's good for muscles
to attach and bulge out.
639
00:34:00,567 --> 00:34:03,133
Attenborough:
There would have been a muscle
640
00:34:03,133 --> 00:34:04,367
running through there.
641
00:34:04,367 --> 00:34:06,333
Rowe: Yes, we have the pterygoid
muscle group,
642
00:34:06,333 --> 00:34:08,767
which is in a lot
of big dinosaurs.
643
00:34:08,767 --> 00:34:11,967
That's integral to having
a really strong bite.
644
00:34:11,967 --> 00:34:15,400
We've hypothesized that
this particular pliosaur
645
00:34:15,400 --> 00:34:17,200
is kind of the apex predator
646
00:34:17,200 --> 00:34:19,100
in the Jurassic ecosystems
it was living in.
647
00:34:19,100 --> 00:34:21,667
Attenborough: Now, this is,
of course, not a dinosaur,
648
00:34:21,667 --> 00:34:23,467
but neither is it
a modern reptile,
649
00:34:23,467 --> 00:34:26,200
but it does look a lot
like a crocodile, doesn't it?
650
00:34:26,200 --> 00:34:28,267
Rowe: Yes, well,
we have this process
651
00:34:28,267 --> 00:34:29,700
called convergent evolution,
652
00:34:29,700 --> 00:34:32,967
where a lot of animals will
adapt a similar-shaped skull
653
00:34:32,967 --> 00:34:35,533
or similar trends throughout
their evolutionary history
654
00:34:35,533 --> 00:34:37,700
even if they're not
closely related.
655
00:34:37,700 --> 00:34:39,567
That's because having
those similarities
656
00:34:39,567 --> 00:34:41,200
can give you a lot
of advantages,
657
00:34:41,200 --> 00:34:42,433
but in terms of this pliosaur,
658
00:34:42,433 --> 00:34:45,600
it's got that kind of
streamlined skull
659
00:34:45,600 --> 00:34:46,967
that's kind of broad
on the back.
660
00:34:46,967 --> 00:34:48,433
It's very triangular-shaped.
661
00:34:48,433 --> 00:34:51,067
I think that it's good
for swimming quickly
662
00:34:51,067 --> 00:34:52,400
and ambushing prey.
663
00:34:52,400 --> 00:34:54,567
Attenborough: Does the skull
give you any information
664
00:34:54,567 --> 00:34:57,100
about what animal of prey
might have been?
665
00:34:57,100 --> 00:34:59,100
Rowe: The animal would have been
so massive
666
00:34:59,100 --> 00:35:00,867
that I think it would have
been able to prey effectively
667
00:35:00,867 --> 00:35:04,367
on anything that was unfortunate
enough to be in its space.
668
00:35:04,367 --> 00:35:07,200
A popular hypothesis
is that these animals
669
00:35:07,200 --> 00:35:09,667
were actually ripping off
the limbs of other animals
670
00:35:09,667 --> 00:35:11,067
and disabled them
from swimming away
671
00:35:11,067 --> 00:35:13,033
and then kind of going in
for the kill.
672
00:35:13,033 --> 00:35:15,833
Attenborough:
So this is a top predator?
673
00:35:15,833 --> 00:35:18,533
Rowe: Yes, I have very little
doubt just judging
674
00:35:18,533 --> 00:35:20,233
from how massive that skull is.
675
00:35:20,233 --> 00:35:22,533
I don't see what could have
possibly hurt it.
676
00:35:22,533 --> 00:35:24,267
Attenborough:
What size is that actually?
677
00:35:24,267 --> 00:35:26,600
Rowe: So the actual skull itself
comes in
678
00:35:26,600 --> 00:35:29,533
at about 6.5 feet,
about 6'6".
679
00:35:29,533 --> 00:35:31,133
Attenborough:
So it's longer than I am tall?
680
00:35:31,133 --> 00:35:35,000
Rowe: Yes, it's quite a big boy
and that's just the skull.
681
00:35:35,000 --> 00:35:37,867
Attenborough: The dimensions
of a fossilized skull
682
00:35:37,867 --> 00:35:39,300
enable us to estimate
683
00:35:39,300 --> 00:35:43,633
the overall size of an animal
when it was alive.
684
00:35:43,633 --> 00:35:46,633
And based on Andre's
measurements,
685
00:35:46,633 --> 00:35:52,233
our pliosaur could have been up
to an astounding 40 feet long.
686
00:35:53,733 --> 00:35:55,200
Rowe:
Just on the sheer size of it,
687
00:35:55,200 --> 00:35:56,400
just from looking at this animal
688
00:35:56,400 --> 00:35:58,467
and how big those
pterygoid muscles
689
00:35:58,467 --> 00:36:00,367
would have been at the back
of the jaw,
690
00:36:00,367 --> 00:36:04,933
the animal would have delivered
a devastating bite, no doubt.
691
00:36:04,933 --> 00:36:07,267
Attenborough:
A powerful bite is vital
692
00:36:07,267 --> 00:36:10,300
to the success
of any marine predator.
693
00:36:12,167 --> 00:36:14,467
Scientists are able to estimate
694
00:36:14,467 --> 00:36:19,967
how much force an animal can
exert when biting into its prey.
695
00:36:19,967 --> 00:36:25,267
And great white sharks have one
of the strongest bites...
696
00:36:25,267 --> 00:36:28,333
at around 10,000 newtons.
697
00:36:32,800 --> 00:36:35,500
But how do you work out
the bite force of a creature
698
00:36:35,500 --> 00:36:39,567
that became extinct
millions of years ago?
699
00:36:39,567 --> 00:36:44,133
Professor Emily Rayfield is
a world-renowned paleontologist
700
00:36:44,133 --> 00:36:48,400
who specializes
in skeletal mechanics.
701
00:36:48,400 --> 00:36:51,167
Using the model created
by Andre,
702
00:36:51,167 --> 00:36:55,467
Emily has assessed
the bite force of our pliosaur.
703
00:36:55,467 --> 00:36:58,333
Rayfield:
So this is a 3D print, a model,
704
00:36:58,333 --> 00:37:00,933
it's not full size,
though it's just over a third
705
00:37:00,933 --> 00:37:02,633
of the size
of the actual animal.
706
00:37:02,633 --> 00:37:05,533
These large openings
are the spaces in the skull,
707
00:37:05,533 --> 00:37:08,333
which would have been filled
with jaw-closing muscles.
708
00:37:08,333 --> 00:37:13,000
Attenborough: So you can
estimate the force of the bite
709
00:37:13,000 --> 00:37:15,267
from the size of those muscles?
- Rayfield: Exactly, yeah.
710
00:37:15,267 --> 00:37:18,267
We can get an estimate of that
from here.
711
00:37:18,267 --> 00:37:20,467
We know that muscles
of a certain--
712
00:37:20,467 --> 00:37:22,667
a certain size, a certain area,
713
00:37:22,667 --> 00:37:27,300
are capable of generating
a certain amount of force.
714
00:37:27,300 --> 00:37:29,200
Saltwater crocodiles have got
715
00:37:29,200 --> 00:37:31,100
the largest-ever
bite force measured,
716
00:37:31,100 --> 00:37:34,267
and they're up
to about 16,000 newtons.
717
00:37:36,333 --> 00:37:37,500
Attenborough: And these?
718
00:37:37,500 --> 00:37:39,300
Rayfield: So our pliosaur here,
719
00:37:39,300 --> 00:37:40,700
from the estimations
that we've made,
720
00:37:40,700 --> 00:37:42,967
has a bit force that's about
twice the size of that--
721
00:37:42,967 --> 00:37:46,400
the larger saltwater crocodile
that's ever been measured.
722
00:37:46,400 --> 00:37:49,667
And it's in the region
of around 32,000 newtons.
723
00:37:49,667 --> 00:37:54,633
Attenborough: So this is the
most powerful biter in the sea
724
00:37:54,633 --> 00:37:56,733
that ever has been
or that we know of.
725
00:37:56,733 --> 00:37:59,233
Rayfield: That we know of,
absolutely, yes, definitely.
726
00:37:59,233 --> 00:38:01,300
If you're looking at
kind of statistics
727
00:38:01,300 --> 00:38:03,800
in terms of car-biting metrics,
728
00:38:03,800 --> 00:38:06,433
I'm pretty sure it could
probably bite through a car.
729
00:38:06,433 --> 00:38:07,600
Attenborough:
So it's a monster.
730
00:38:07,600 --> 00:38:08,667
Rayfield: Absolutely.
731
00:38:08,667 --> 00:38:09,833
[ Both laughing ]
732
00:38:09,833 --> 00:38:17,667
**
733
00:38:17,667 --> 00:38:21,067
Attenborough: The evidence
gathered from the skull so far
734
00:38:21,067 --> 00:38:25,633
suggests that this pliosaur
had the jaws, teeth
735
00:38:25,633 --> 00:38:29,533
and senses
of a highly successful hunter.
736
00:38:32,733 --> 00:38:37,033
Its long stout, short neck
and streamlined skull
737
00:38:37,033 --> 00:38:40,100
enable it to move easily
through the water.
738
00:38:41,333 --> 00:38:44,300
But what else helped
our enormous sea monster
739
00:38:44,300 --> 00:38:47,100
to power through
the Jurassic seas
740
00:38:47,100 --> 00:38:50,333
fast enough to catch its prey?
741
00:38:50,333 --> 00:38:53,800
Pliosaurs were unique
in the natural world
742
00:38:53,800 --> 00:39:00,233
as they had four almost
identical wing-like flippers.
743
00:39:00,233 --> 00:39:03,700
How pliosaurs used their
flippers has been debated
744
00:39:03,700 --> 00:39:06,467
by paleontologists for decades.
745
00:39:06,467 --> 00:39:11,500
Some believe that they moved
using a sort of rowing stroke,
746
00:39:11,500 --> 00:39:13,233
like oars in a boat.
747
00:39:13,233 --> 00:39:17,400
While others argued they used
a flight stroke,
748
00:39:17,400 --> 00:39:20,733
seen in animals
such as sea turtles.
749
00:39:20,733 --> 00:39:25,000
But in recent years,
scientists have been able to use
750
00:39:25,000 --> 00:39:28,600
computer modelling to finally
solve this mystery.
751
00:39:28,600 --> 00:39:33,867
And it appears that these
giant sea monsters swam in a way
752
00:39:33,867 --> 00:39:38,800
that is surprisingly similar to
a very different type of animal,
753
00:39:38,800 --> 00:39:41,633
one that is alive today.
754
00:39:41,633 --> 00:39:47,167
**
755
00:39:47,167 --> 00:39:49,500
Whoa.
756
00:39:49,500 --> 00:39:52,867
Penguins may appear
somewhat clumsy
757
00:39:52,867 --> 00:39:55,133
as they waddle around on land.
758
00:39:55,133 --> 00:39:59,667
But once they're in the water,
they move very differently.
759
00:39:59,667 --> 00:40:04,933
These are Humboldt penguins
and they're excellent swimmers.
760
00:40:06,800 --> 00:40:10,233
Their streamlined body shape
and their oily feathers
761
00:40:10,233 --> 00:40:12,300
enable them to reach
astonishing speeds
762
00:40:12,300 --> 00:40:15,200
of up to 30 miles an hour.
763
00:40:15,200 --> 00:40:17,800
But a key factor
behind penguins' speed
764
00:40:17,800 --> 00:40:19,233
are their flippers,
765
00:40:19,233 --> 00:40:23,800
which underwater, act like
propellers driving them forward
766
00:40:23,800 --> 00:40:28,300
and increasing their speed
dramatically.
767
00:40:28,300 --> 00:40:32,200
In slow motion, you can see
that the penguins
768
00:40:32,200 --> 00:40:36,733
are using a lift-based
underwater flight movement,
769
00:40:36,733 --> 00:40:38,900
twisting their wings
as they flap
770
00:40:38,900 --> 00:40:40,867
and propelling
themselves forward
771
00:40:40,867 --> 00:40:45,233
on the upstroke as well
as the downstroke.
772
00:40:45,233 --> 00:40:49,067
As strange as it may seem,
it's thought that pliosaurs
773
00:40:49,067 --> 00:40:53,467
would have moved
in a very similar way.
774
00:40:53,467 --> 00:40:57,200
But, of course, pliosaurs
were enormous
775
00:40:57,200 --> 00:41:01,700
and most large animals
are relatively slow-moving.
776
00:41:01,700 --> 00:41:04,100
So as an apex predator,
777
00:41:04,100 --> 00:41:06,833
how could this huge creature
maneuver itself
778
00:41:06,833 --> 00:41:10,267
fast enough to catch its prey?
779
00:41:10,267 --> 00:41:14,100
To find out, I've come to
the hydrodynamic laboratory
780
00:41:14,100 --> 00:41:18,933
at Imperial College London
where Dr. Luke Muscutt
781
00:41:18,933 --> 00:41:21,967
is studying
the locomotion of pliosaurs
782
00:41:21,967 --> 00:41:25,300
using a rather unusual
research tool.
783
00:41:25,300 --> 00:41:27,167
How did you first
become interested
784
00:41:27,167 --> 00:41:30,333
in the way that pliosaurs swam?
785
00:41:30,333 --> 00:41:32,833
Muscutt: The only animal
that we know of
786
00:41:32,833 --> 00:41:36,033
that has four large flippers.
787
00:41:36,033 --> 00:41:38,733
So the question is,
how did they use them?
788
00:41:38,733 --> 00:41:41,767
The fossils of the pliosaur show
789
00:41:41,767 --> 00:41:44,967
that the flippers were
very much like wings.
790
00:41:44,967 --> 00:41:48,000
So what I found was that
the hind flipper
791
00:41:48,000 --> 00:41:49,367
can actually operate
792
00:41:49,367 --> 00:41:52,533
at a much higher thrust
and a much higher efficiency
793
00:41:52,533 --> 00:41:57,767
because it's utilizing the wake
of the flipper in front of it.
794
00:41:57,767 --> 00:42:01,933
We can see a similar effect
in the flight
795
00:42:01,933 --> 00:42:05,433
of migrating birds,
such as geese.
796
00:42:05,433 --> 00:42:08,733
Attenborough: When geese are
flying in formation,
797
00:42:08,733 --> 00:42:11,000
each bird benefits
from the uplift
798
00:42:11,000 --> 00:42:14,333
created
by the one in front of it
799
00:42:14,333 --> 00:42:18,467
so that they fly
in a very energy-efficient way.
800
00:42:20,033 --> 00:42:22,233
Muscutt: So you can think
of the pliosaur
801
00:42:22,233 --> 00:42:25,333
as almost two birds,
one flying behind the other,
802
00:42:25,333 --> 00:42:28,000
and the back one is benefiting
from the one in front.
803
00:42:28,000 --> 00:42:29,967
Attenborough: That's
an extraordinary parallel, yes.
804
00:42:29,967 --> 00:42:31,167
Muscutt: The hind flipper
805
00:42:31,167 --> 00:42:33,867
has increases in thrust
and efficiency
806
00:42:33,867 --> 00:42:36,167
of up to 40%.
- Attenborough: Ahh.
807
00:42:36,167 --> 00:42:39,200
Muscutt: So this would have
increased the swimming speed
808
00:42:39,200 --> 00:42:41,600
that pliosaurs would have been
able to achieve
809
00:42:41,600 --> 00:42:45,000
and increase the number of
different things it could eat.
810
00:42:45,000 --> 00:42:48,933
Attenborough: To take
his research to the next level,
811
00:42:48,933 --> 00:42:51,033
Luke has built a robot
812
00:42:51,033 --> 00:42:54,000
to study the swimming pattern
of pliosaurs
813
00:42:54,000 --> 00:42:56,267
more accurately
than ever before.
814
00:42:56,267 --> 00:42:58,733
So what more information
do you think
815
00:42:58,733 --> 00:43:00,967
you can get from this model?
816
00:43:00,967 --> 00:43:05,500
Muscutt: This robot enables me
to test the complete animal.
817
00:43:05,500 --> 00:43:10,633
How fast something can move
is an absolutely critical part
818
00:43:10,633 --> 00:43:12,267
of what that animal is
819
00:43:12,267 --> 00:43:16,400
and it tells us what animals
it could have eaten,
820
00:43:16,400 --> 00:43:19,133
how far it might have
been able to travel,
821
00:43:19,133 --> 00:43:25,100
all sorts of questions come back
down to its locomotion ability.
822
00:43:25,100 --> 00:43:26,967
Attenborough:
Have you estimated a speed
823
00:43:26,967 --> 00:43:28,200
that this might produce?
824
00:43:28,200 --> 00:43:30,100
Muscutt: Well, I've only
finished building this
825
00:43:30,100 --> 00:43:31,867
yesterday so...
- Attenborough: Oh, really?
826
00:43:31,867 --> 00:43:33,400
Muscutt: So far,
I haven't actually
827
00:43:33,400 --> 00:43:34,767
ran the experiments yet.
828
00:43:34,767 --> 00:43:35,933
If you would like to have a go,
you're more than welcome to...
829
00:43:35,933 --> 00:43:37,267
Attenborough: Yes.
Oh, show me.
830
00:43:37,267 --> 00:43:39,867
Muscutt: So if you just move
this joystick
831
00:43:39,867 --> 00:43:42,400
sort of upwards further...
832
00:43:42,400 --> 00:43:45,167
So this is how the pliosaur
would have swam.
833
00:43:45,167 --> 00:43:48,267
The flippers move
primarily up and down.
834
00:43:48,267 --> 00:43:51,333
It's much more like
a bird flies.
835
00:43:53,133 --> 00:43:56,533
Attenborough: Luke and his team
set up the robot
836
00:43:56,533 --> 00:43:57,767
for a test swim,
837
00:43:57,767 --> 00:44:00,900
and they entrust me
with its maiden voyage.
838
00:44:00,900 --> 00:44:03,433
Muscutt: If you would like
to take the control...
839
00:44:06,333 --> 00:44:08,100
There we are. It's off.
840
00:44:08,100 --> 00:44:09,900
Attenborough: I suppose--
actually that's only a model--
841
00:44:09,900 --> 00:44:12,467
but if it was full size,
it would be going quite fast.
842
00:44:12,467 --> 00:44:13,967
Muscutt: Indeed.
843
00:44:13,967 --> 00:44:17,733
You can just imagine it chasing
after a smaller ichthyosaur.
844
00:44:18,967 --> 00:44:21,300
Attenborough:
Luke's research is so new,
845
00:44:21,300 --> 00:44:23,133
it's yet to be published.
846
00:44:23,133 --> 00:44:25,767
But it's helping to provide
a new perspective
847
00:44:25,767 --> 00:44:29,000
on these extraordinary animals.
848
00:44:29,000 --> 00:44:34,367
**
849
00:44:34,367 --> 00:44:38,333
Large marine predators
like minke whales and orcas
850
00:44:38,333 --> 00:44:41,767
can swim at great speed
through the ocean.
851
00:44:43,433 --> 00:44:47,967
What speed might our pliosaur,
with its four flippers,
852
00:44:47,967 --> 00:44:50,900
have been capable of?
853
00:44:50,900 --> 00:44:54,500
Estimates suggest that they
could have accelerated
854
00:44:54,500 --> 00:44:56,500
up to 30 miles an hour,
855
00:44:56,500 --> 00:45:00,933
making them one of the fastest
animals in the Jurassic seas.
856
00:45:00,933 --> 00:45:09,800
**
857
00:45:09,800 --> 00:45:12,900
This skull is not only
helping us to understand
858
00:45:12,900 --> 00:45:16,833
more about the lives
of these giant sea monsters
859
00:45:16,833 --> 00:45:20,667
but also allows scientists
like Dr. Andre Rowe
860
00:45:20,667 --> 00:45:24,767
to visualize the Jurassic world
as never before.
861
00:45:26,100 --> 00:45:30,067
So often, I've been involved
in looking at fossil studies
862
00:45:30,067 --> 00:45:33,967
and the skull, unless the skull
is there, you are really missing
863
00:45:33,967 --> 00:45:35,633
an awful lot of information.
864
00:45:35,633 --> 00:45:38,800
We are lucky to find this
as a first thing.
865
00:45:38,800 --> 00:45:41,333
Rowe: Yes. I'm very biased
since I study feeding and teeth,
866
00:45:41,333 --> 00:45:43,467
but I think the majority
of information about an animal,
867
00:45:43,467 --> 00:45:45,100
you can get from its skull.
868
00:45:45,100 --> 00:45:48,100
The brain, the teeth,
what it was feeding on,
869
00:45:48,100 --> 00:45:50,833
its maximum body size,
if you have the whole skull.
870
00:45:50,833 --> 00:45:52,367
It's just a treasure trove
of information
871
00:45:52,367 --> 00:45:55,000
and we're very fortunate
to have the whole thing.
872
00:45:55,000 --> 00:45:56,600
One of the reasons
why I love the UK
873
00:45:56,600 --> 00:45:58,400
is because it's got
such a great collection
874
00:45:58,400 --> 00:45:59,833
of marine reptiles.
875
00:45:59,833 --> 00:46:02,533
Attenborough:
[ Laughs ] Delighted to hear it.
876
00:46:02,533 --> 00:46:04,567
Rowe: I mean, in America, we've
got our big tyrannosaurus
877
00:46:04,567 --> 00:46:05,667
and our triceratops,
878
00:46:05,667 --> 00:46:07,967
but UK is great
for marine reptiles.
879
00:46:07,967 --> 00:46:09,800
Attenborough: But we did
discover the dinosaurs.
880
00:46:09,800 --> 00:46:12,633
Rowe: Yes, the science of
paleontology did originate here.
881
00:46:12,633 --> 00:46:14,567
Attenborough: How would it
compare with T-rex?
882
00:46:14,567 --> 00:46:16,933
Rowe: I imagine it would be
pretty comparable
883
00:46:16,933 --> 00:46:19,533
and they were kind of both
the respective apex predators
884
00:46:19,533 --> 00:46:21,100
in their ecosystems.
885
00:46:21,100 --> 00:46:22,400
So I have no doubt
886
00:46:22,400 --> 00:46:26,500
that this is sort of like
an underwater T-rex if you will.
887
00:46:26,500 --> 00:46:28,533
Attenborough:
Okay, let me ask you
888
00:46:28,533 --> 00:46:30,000
the million-dollar question.
889
00:46:30,000 --> 00:46:35,000
In a battle between T-rex
and our pliosaur,
890
00:46:35,000 --> 00:46:36,700
who's gonna win?
891
00:46:36,700 --> 00:46:37,900
Rowe:
As much as it pains me
892
00:46:37,900 --> 00:46:39,633
and brings a tear
to my eye to admit it,
893
00:46:39,633 --> 00:46:43,133
I think my T-rex
is going to lose this fight.
894
00:46:43,133 --> 00:46:45,633
Millions of years later,
an American paleontologist
895
00:46:45,633 --> 00:46:48,267
will envision the scene
and break down into tears.
896
00:46:48,267 --> 00:46:49,767
Attenborough: [ Laughs ]
897
00:46:52,533 --> 00:46:55,467
Bringing an enormous predator
back to life
898
00:46:55,467 --> 00:47:00,033
after 150 million years
is no easy task.
899
00:47:01,667 --> 00:47:05,533
But restoring this giant skull
is a labor of love
900
00:47:05,533 --> 00:47:09,333
for Steve and his team.
901
00:47:09,333 --> 00:47:13,033
Almost a year after the skull
was discovered,
902
00:47:13,033 --> 00:47:17,600
I return to Kimmeridge
to see how they're getting on.
903
00:47:17,600 --> 00:47:20,800
My goodness.
904
00:47:20,800 --> 00:47:24,067
It is absolutely magnificent.
905
00:47:24,067 --> 00:47:25,333
It's astonishing.
906
00:47:25,333 --> 00:47:26,767
Moore:
It's bigger than a T-rex.
907
00:47:26,767 --> 00:47:28,933
- Attenborough: Is it?
- Moore: Yeah, yeah.
908
00:47:28,933 --> 00:47:30,567
- Attenborough: What, the skull?
- Moore: Yup.
909
00:47:30,567 --> 00:47:32,867
Bigger than any T-rex
ever found.
910
00:47:32,867 --> 00:47:35,100
Etches:
David, now what we've done,
911
00:47:35,100 --> 00:47:37,700
since you've come here last,
is we've--
912
00:47:37,700 --> 00:47:40,100
I've air-penned off
all the mudstone
913
00:47:40,100 --> 00:47:41,267
and then air-brated it.
914
00:47:41,267 --> 00:47:43,267
Now, the air-abrasive machine
915
00:47:43,267 --> 00:47:44,833
cleans out
all these little voids
916
00:47:44,833 --> 00:47:47,167
and you see every little detail,
every suture
917
00:47:47,167 --> 00:47:49,700
where the bone joined together,
you can see every detail,
918
00:47:49,700 --> 00:47:51,667
that's what we really wanted.
919
00:47:51,667 --> 00:47:53,433
Moore:
So the teeth here
920
00:47:53,433 --> 00:47:55,900
have been basically tumbled
on the beach
921
00:47:55,900 --> 00:47:59,033
and the shingle has worn away
all the crowns
922
00:47:59,033 --> 00:48:01,533
so we can do a bit
of dentistry on them.
923
00:48:01,533 --> 00:48:04,767
So we've got this tooth,
which has been scanned,
924
00:48:04,767 --> 00:48:07,500
and then we're gonna
increase or decrease it,
925
00:48:07,500 --> 00:48:11,433
and then add all the teeth
back in position.
926
00:48:11,433 --> 00:48:13,300
Show people what it actually
looked like.
927
00:48:13,300 --> 00:48:15,333
Attenborough: You must feel,
looking at this--
928
00:48:15,333 --> 00:48:19,000
I mean, I know it was a huge
amount of work to get it out.
929
00:48:19,000 --> 00:48:20,767
Etches: We never thought
we'd get it, to be honest.
930
00:48:20,767 --> 00:48:22,033
I'll be honest with you.
931
00:48:22,033 --> 00:48:26,233
Attenborough:
Well, it's certainly a triumph.
932
00:48:26,233 --> 00:48:28,500
Etches: Yeah, quite an emotional
moment for everyone.
933
00:48:28,500 --> 00:48:30,267
Attenborough:
Yeah, I'm sure.
934
00:48:30,267 --> 00:48:32,367
It's sensational.
935
00:48:32,367 --> 00:48:37,267
**
936
00:48:37,267 --> 00:48:42,367
Once the pliosaur's dagger-like
teeth are added,
937
00:48:42,367 --> 00:48:45,300
the picture is finally complete.
938
00:48:45,300 --> 00:48:49,800
**
939
00:48:49,800 --> 00:48:54,633
Our journey of discovery
has shown that this sea monster
940
00:48:54,633 --> 00:48:56,633
was one
of the greatest predators
941
00:48:56,633 --> 00:48:59,000
the world has ever seen.
942
00:49:00,333 --> 00:49:04,167
And we can now visualize,
more accurately than ever,
943
00:49:04,167 --> 00:49:08,800
how it may have hunted
in the Jurassic seas.
944
00:49:08,800 --> 00:49:17,067
**
945
00:49:17,067 --> 00:49:19,900
Ichthyosaurs...
946
00:49:19,900 --> 00:49:24,400
swimming in groups
along the coast...
947
00:49:24,400 --> 00:49:28,800
concentrating on hunting
their prey,
948
00:49:28,800 --> 00:49:33,167
unaware that they themselves
are being stalked.
949
00:49:36,533 --> 00:49:39,567
On their trail,
950
00:49:39,567 --> 00:49:43,033
our pliosaur
uses its highly tuned senses
951
00:49:43,033 --> 00:49:44,333
to launch an attack.
952
00:49:44,333 --> 00:49:51,100
**
953
00:49:51,100 --> 00:49:56,733
In the chase, its four flippers,
each measuring over 6 feet long,
954
00:49:56,733 --> 00:49:59,900
drive it through the water
at great speed.
955
00:49:59,900 --> 00:50:03,767
**
956
00:50:03,767 --> 00:50:07,933
Splitting the shoal,
it isolates its target.
957
00:50:10,933 --> 00:50:13,333
Our sea monster's
primary weapons
958
00:50:13,333 --> 00:50:16,567
are its 90 razor-sharp teeth...
959
00:50:18,600 --> 00:50:22,000
...with which it slices
through its victims' flesh.
960
00:50:24,900 --> 00:50:28,733
The impact alone
may have been enough to kill.
961
00:50:31,100 --> 00:50:35,700
But with a bite force twice
the strength of any animal
962
00:50:35,700 --> 00:50:40,833
living today, its prey
had little chance of survival.
963
00:50:40,833 --> 00:51:00,033
**
964
00:51:00,033 --> 00:51:03,933
From a chance discovery
on a beach one morning
965
00:51:03,933 --> 00:51:07,067
to the painstaking restoration
of such a rare
966
00:51:07,067 --> 00:51:08,700
and impressive specimen,
967
00:51:08,700 --> 00:51:14,667
the story of this fossil
is one of skill, dedication
968
00:51:14,667 --> 00:51:19,767
and of fascinating scientific
discoveries made along the way.
969
00:51:19,767 --> 00:51:22,033
We've been given
a unique insight
970
00:51:22,033 --> 00:51:24,167
into the life of our pliosaur
971
00:51:24,167 --> 00:51:28,933
that swam in the Jurassic seas
150 million years ago...
972
00:51:28,933 --> 00:51:33,433
but we're also reminded that
there is still so much to learn
973
00:51:33,433 --> 00:51:37,667
about these extraordinary
prehistoric animals.
974
00:51:39,767 --> 00:51:45,167
And I, for one, will never tire
of discovering more.
975
00:51:55,433 --> 00:52:01,933
**
976
00:52:05,200 --> 00:52:39,000
**