Scientists work to unravel dino skull mysteries museum marvels at jurassic jaws VISITORS were given a unique opportunity to get inside a dinosaur’s head at Dorset County Museum.

Scientists got up close and personal with the fossilised pliosaur skull to try and find out more about the giant prehistoric sea monster.

The fossil was uncovered in Weymouth Bay by Osmington fossil hunter Kevan Sheehan in 2009 and has been on public display since July last year after it was unveiled by the renowned broadcast and naturalist Sir David Attenborough.

Pliosaur expert Richard Forrest was one of the fossil enthusiasts who came from across the country to examine the unique specimen.

He said: “We took the skull down from its plinth and laid it on the floor of the museum to let us examine it properly.

“We chose to do it on the floor so that members of the public can come over and talk to us about what we’re doing.

“We need to show everyone that a museum is not just cases with boring old stuff inside them, hopefully projects like this will really capture peoples’ imaginations.

“We’re using cutting-edge technology to try and find out more about how this creature lived.”

He added: “This was one of the most powerful predators of all time – we want to know how it hunted, where it fitted into its ecosystem and how powerful these massive jaws were.

“It’s an awesome specimen and it’s amazing to be involved in this project.”

The huge marine reptile, which roamed the seas 155million years ago, is believed to have had the biggest bite of all time, powerful enough to break a car in half.

The 2.4m skull is 95 per cent complete and is one of the finest specimens in the world.

Dorset County Museum director Jon Murden said: “The pliosaur is very scientifically important so it’s great having the team here because they will learn more about it which means we can better inform our visitors in the future.

“It’s great for the legacy of the Jurassic Coast that we have been able to host this project and having experts from all over the country come here to find out more about it is very exciting.

“We have also had enquiries from overseas from people who want to come and examine it.

“It’s been amazing for our visitors to be able to come and see the skull in pieces and talk to these experts.”

The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.