LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton Model Unveiled After 68 Million Years

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LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton Model Unveiled After 68 Million Years

Apr 06,25

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, available exclusively at the LEGO Store, is a visually stunning and ambitious build that captures the imagination of dinosaur enthusiasts and LEGO fans alike. At first glance, you're struck by its impressive size; this set is a 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex, making it a centerpiece in any collection.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

Priced at $249.99, this set is a testament to LEGO's commitment to detail and accuracy. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice the intricate design: the ribs are constructed at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," while the use of dark-colored bricks creates shadows that enhance the contrast with the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its complex appearance, the set is surprisingly easy to assemble, which only adds to its appeal.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

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As a child, I was fascinated by dinosaurs, particularly the towering T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History. This fascination was reignited years later when I read Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," a sci-fi short story that vividly describes the awe-inspiring presence of the T-Rex:

"It came on great oiled, resilient, striding legs. It towered thirty feet above half of the trees, a great evil god, folding its delicate watchmaker's claws close to its oily reptilian chest. Each lower leg was a piston, a thousand pounds of white bone, sunk in thick ropes of muscle, sheathed over in a gleam of pebbled skin like the mail of a terrible warrior."

For many of us, the image of the T-Rex standing upright with its tail dragging on the ground was the norm:

Source: American Museum of Natural History

However, scientific understanding has evolved, revealing that the T-Rex actually stood with its spine parallel to the ground, using its tail as a counterbalance:

Source: Field Museum

The above image is of "Sue," the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever found, at 90% completeness. Discovered by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson, this find revolutionized our understanding of the T-Rex's anatomy. The small bones in the belly area, known as gastralia, were initially omitted from public displays due to uncertainty about their placement. Today, we know they supported the T-Rex's breathing and contributed to its bulk.

Source: Universal Pictures

The T-Rex from the 1993 film Jurassic Park reflects the outdated view of dinosaurs, showing a leaner body than what we now know to be accurate. With the discovery of the gastralia, we understand that the T-Rex was much heavier, weighing nine to ten tons, with a large belly close to the ground.

This life-sized model, based on Sue's bones, offers the most accurate depiction of a T-Rex to date:

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

It's a chubbier and more endearing image than previously thought, isn't it?

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects this updated scientific understanding, maintaining the T-Rex's horizontal posture. While it does not include the gastralia, the rib positioning suggests a "barrel-chested" creature, contrasting with the lean, efficient killing machine often portrayed in popular media. The set's arms are positioned forward, in line with the updated display of Sue at the Field Museum in Chicago.

The set comes in 25 sealed plastic bags. You start by building the black stand, followed by the T-Rex's backbone, which attaches to vertical supports. The rest of the model, including the neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and head, is then assembled. The legs and torso are fixed, but the arms, head, and tail are adjustable and posable.

At nearly three-and-a-half feet long from tip to tail, this model requires ample space. It's best displayed on a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table, where it can truly dominate the space it occupies.

The set is part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, which is why the final bag includes minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, posed in front of the fossil on a stand attachment. The accompanying placard features the Jurassic Park logo. However, this franchise tie-in feels somewhat forced. The set's name, 'Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex,' lacks any direct movie reference, and the instruction booklet even offers an option to remove the minifigure and placard display, allowing the skeleton to stand alone. This option underscores the awkwardness of the Jurassic Park connection, which feels unnecessary for a set of this size, scope, and price.

In reality, this set's appeal lies in its own merit, much like the LEGO Titanic build. It doesn't need movie tie-ins to sell; its grandeur and detail are enough to captivate enthusiasts. The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, retails for $269.99 and comprises 3011 pieces, available exclusively at the LEGO Store.