New dinosaur species named after former Ewhurst Works manager

Discovered in clay at wienerberger's Ewhurst Works, a dinosaur fossil has been identified as a new genus and species and named in memory of former site manager Will Proudlove.

A dinosaur unearthed at wienerberger's Ewhurst Works in Surrey has been identified as a new genus and species, more than two decades after its discovery.

Researchers have named it Paludohadros proudlovii in memory of former works manager Will Proudlove, recognising his fascination with the fossils revealed through clay extraction at the site.

The dinosaur lived around 125 million years ago, during the Early Cretaceous period. Its fossils were excavated from the Weald Clay deposits at Ewhurst in 2001 and have since been cared for by the Natural History Museum. Scientists have now confirmed that the specimen represents not only a new species, but also a new genus of dinosaur.

A name that honours a lasting legacy

The species name, proudlovii, recognises Will Proudlove, who worked his way through the ranks at Ewhurst Works to become its manager.

Will Proudlove died aged 35, shortly before the fossils were excavated, leaving his wife, Rachael Proudlove, and their young children. He had a longstanding fascination with the fossils uncovered during clay extraction and took a keen interest in what each new layer might reveal. 

Reflecting on the announcement, Rachael Proudlove said: 

“Will always had an interest in dinosaur fossils and was fascinated about what, if anything, would be uncovered each time a layer of clay was removed from the quarry. Sadly, this dinosaur was only discovered the year after he died, but its story has become a part of our lives since then.

“We were invited to go and look at it being excavated back in 2001, so it’s amazing to hear all this time later that it’s not just a new species of dinosaur, but a new genus too. We’re absolutely overjoyed and honoured that Will’s name and legacy will live on in this dinosaur.”

For the Proudlove family, the name creates a lasting tribute to a much-loved husband, father and colleague whose connection to the site continues through this remarkable discovery.

Unearthing a new chapter in dinosaur history

Paludohadros was an iguanodontian, a group of dinosaurs known for their charismatic thumb-spikes that later became one of the most successful groups of plant-eating dinosaurs.

Scientists estimate that the individual discovered at Ewhurst Works was around five metres long and weighed between 1.5 and two tonnes, making it comparable in size to a rhinoceros. Analysis suggests it was still a juvenile, so a fully grown adult may have been considerably larger. 

The dinosaur’s name also reflects the environment it once inhabited. Paludohadros is derived from the Latin word palus, meaning swamp, and refers to the muddy wetland landscapes that covered southern England during the Early Cretaceous period.  

A site rich in prehistoric discoveries

Paludohadros would have lived alongside a variety of other dinosaurs, including Baryonyx walkeri. This fearsome two-legged carnivore has frequently made headlines since its discovery at Ewhurst Works in 1983, and the two dinosaurs may have shared the same ancient wetland environment.

In 2017, palaeontologists from Fossils Galore also discovered dinosaur bones preserved within compacted clay at the site. The remains were identified as belonging to a large Cretaceous herbivore, thought to be an Iguanodon, and the dinosaur was nicknamed Indie.

Researching Britain's prehistoric past

Ricardo Sacamoto, a PhD student at the Natural History Museum, London, and the University of São Paulo who led the research, said: "Paludohadros is the first species I've ever named and I'm honoured to have been able to work on it. I still remember the incredible moment when I realised that this was a new species that no one had ever identified before."

He added: "I'm now going to go through the Natural History Museum's iguanodontian collections to identify what's there as part of my PhD. This could lead to the discovery of more new dinosaur species that haven't yet been recognised."

The discovery highlights how fossils recovered decades ago can still reveal new insights and contribute to ongoing research into Britain's prehistoric past.

A legacy preserved in clay

The identification of Paludohadros proudlovii adds a new chapter to Britain’s prehistoric history. It also preserves the memory of Will Proudlove, whose curiosity about the fossils uncovered at Ewhurst Works remains part of the site’s story.

For his family, former colleagues and the researchers who have studied the fossils, the dinosaur’s name creates a lasting connection between one person’s passion, a remarkable place and a discovery millions of years in the making.