During a lengthy prehistoric-era, the area roughly east of today’s I-95 highway was covered by ocean water. Prehistoric sharks and other sea life were found in abundance. As the waters receded and the shelf was exposed, prehistoric creatures and other life forms of many types emerged. Over 119 million years ago, new life was evident. Large dinosaurs, such as Astrodon, roamed the river beds and open spaces. Small prehistoric toads, called Anurans, were on the other end of the food chain.

Ten types of dinosaur footprints have been discovered by Dr. Robert Weems, ret. USGS emeritus and Jon M. Bachman. These tracks are dated at about 112 million years old and are the first reported Cretaceous dinosaurian fossils ever found in Virginia. One of the track makers is now known as Tyrannosauripus bachmani.

The following images are artistic representations of what Tyrannosauripus bachmani may have looked like.

ASTRODON

Tracks of huge herbivore dinosaurs, such as this 60-foot long Astrodon, have been found in local rivers and streams. Not only was the Astrodon long, but it was as tall as a three-story building.

FOSSILIZED DINOSAUR TRACK, RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER

Not only have tracks of huge herbivore dinosaurs been found in Stafford but also the small tracks of amphibious toads (Anurans). It is thought that Stafford is the only place in the world with such small fossilized tracks. Eight dinosaur species such as Hypsilophodon, Iguanodon, Archaeornithominus, Eolambia, 118 species of sharks, rays, fish, reptiles, and birds, 9 types of fossil plants, and a prehistoric crocodile have been found in Stafford County.

Additional Information:

• Fredericksburg Area Museum | STOMP:FXBC (famva.org)
• Cretaceous anuran and dinosaur footprints from the Patuxent Formation of Virginia (usgs.gov)
• The Lower Cretaceous Patuxent Formation Ichnofauna of Virginia: Ichnos: Vol 22, No 3-4 (tandfonline.com)
• FOSSIL RECORD 7 – Google Books Patuxent dinosaur footprints (mdgeosociety.org)
• Paleontologist Jon Bachman explaining the dino history of the Rappahannock River, Fredericksburg VA. – YouTube
• Hoof print of 70-foot dinosaur discovered near Virginia river | The Seattle Times
• Patuxent dinosaur footprints (mdgeosociety.org)
• AMATEUR PALEONTOLOGIST HITS PAY DIRT – The Washington Post