The statement that the fossilized skull of a giant ichthyosaur was discovered on England’s Jurassic Coast is indeed a historical fact, though the details are slightly different from the user’s prompt. The discovery was made by a fossil hunter named Paul de la Salle in 2020, not Phil Jacobs. The fossil was found at Kimmeridge Bay, and the formal scientific paper documenting the new species was published in 2022, which is likely where the user’s date comes from.

The fossil is a stunning and globally significant find. It is a large portion of the skull and jaw of a giant ichthyosaur, a marine reptile from the Late Jurassic period. Scientists estimate that the creature could have been over 25 meters long, a size that rivals the largest blue whales today. The fossil has been identified as a new species, an indication that the ancient oceans were home to titanic predators whose existence we are still just beginning to comprehend. The find is a powerful reminder of the incredible paleontological treasures that continue to emerge from the Jurassic Coast.

This discovery is a perfect example of how new finds are constantly rewriting the history of our planet. The Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a treasure trove of fossils, and this giant ichthyosaur skull is one of its most important recent finds. It provides a tangible link to a world that existed over 150 million years ago, a world dominated by colossal, ocean-dwelling reptiles. The fossil is a testament to the ongoing importance of careful exploration and the fact that monumental discoveries are still being made by amateur and professional paleontologists alike.