Forests of the Dinosaurs: Wiltshire’s Jurassic Finale, by John E Needham

Around 146 million years ago, the warm shallow seas receded, a new landscape emerged and a diversity of wildlife flourished in a probably Mediterranean-type climate. Across what is now Wiltshire and Dorset dinosaurs roamed, along with crocodiles, lizards and an array of small amphibians and mammals. This ground-breaking book examines the history of previous research and looks at recent finds, particularly remarkable plant discoveries made over the past thirty years or so in the Vale of Wardour, which are compared with fossil material from other parts of the world, particularly the Americas. It is hoped that this broad introduction will stimulate a wider appreciation of Wiltshire’s remarkable fossil heritage from the final epoch of the Jurassic Period. October 2011, 221 pages, illustrations, £12.95. ISBN 978-1-906978-01-3