Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster

The pliosaur skull whose excavation and analysis is the subject of the documentary was discovered by Philip Jacobs, an artist and textile designer who has also been an avid fossil hunter for 40 years. After spotting the fossil, Jacobs sought out his friend and fossil expert, Steve Etches to find the rest of the skull and proceed to the difficult extraction of the giant. The discovery has attracted scientists from around the world which led to the filming of this documentary. For the documentary Jacobs provided video footage of the moment the fossil was discovered and he was interviewed by the BBC but although his name appeared in the ending credits, he was only referred to as a "fossil enthusiast" during the film. Following the airing of the documentary, he received support from palaeontologists and archaeologists and a petition calling for greater recognition for him was launched.