A 2001 excavation in Peterborough marked a defining moment in the study of Jurassic marine life, uncovering one of the most important specimens of Leedsichthys ever discovered. Building on the legacy of Alfred Nicholson Leeds, the dig revealed extensive remains of this vast, filter-feeding fish within the Oxford Clay, offering rare insight into a species thought to reach lengths of over 15 metres. Crucially, the scale and preservation of the specimen allowed researchers to better understand its skeletal structure and growth, helping to resolve long-standing questions about how such an enormous animal lived and fed in Jurassic seas. The find continues to play an important role in research and interpretation, strengthening Peterborough’s position as one of the world’s most significant locations for Jurassic marine palaeontology.

Alfred Nicholson Leeds (1847–1917) was a pioneering British fossil collector whose work transformed our understanding of Jurassic marine life. Based near Peterborough, he excavated thousands of fossils from the Oxford Clay during the late 19th century, uncovering remarkable specimens of ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs and the giant fish Leedsichthys, named in his honour. Working alongside his brother Charles, Leeds developed one of the most important fossil collections of its kind, many of which are now held in museums around the world. His discoveries placed Peterborough firmly on the global map for Jurassic palaeontology and continue to shape scientific research and public understanding today.