LEGO Dino Fossils: T-Rex Skeleton Model Unveiled After 68 Million Years

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. Upon first glance, its size is striking; this model is crafted at a 1:12 scale, mirroring the grandeur of a real T-Rex.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

Upon closer inspection, the detail is remarkable: the ribs are constructed at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," while the use of dark-colored bricks enhances the shadow effect, accentuating the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its intricate appearance, the set is surprisingly straightforward to assemble, which only adds to its appeal.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

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Growing up, my fascination with dinosaurs was sparked by visits to the American Museum of Natural History, where the towering T-Rex skeleton left a lasting impression. This fascination was further fueled by 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 years, popular culture depicted the T-Rex as standing upright with its tail dragging on the ground. However, scientific discoveries have since shown that the T-Rex stood with its spine parallel to the ground, using its tail as a counterbalance:

The image above represents the outdated perception of the T-Rex's stance. In contrast, the more accurate depiction is shown below, featuring "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton discovered, which revolutionized our understanding of the species:

Sue's discovery included the identification of *gastralia*, small bones that supported the T-Rex's breathing and indicated a heavier build than previously thought:

The T-Rex depicted in the 1993 film *Jurassic Park* reflects an earlier understanding of the dinosaur's physique, which has since been updated to reflect a more accurate, heavier build:

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects this updated scientific understanding, featuring a horizontal positioning and a "barrel-chested" design, though it does not include the gastralia. The set's adjustable arms, head, and tail align with the latest museum displays, such as that of Sue at the Field Museum in Chicago.

Comprising 25 sealed plastic bags, the construction begins with the black stand, followed by the backbone, neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally the head. The completed model spans nearly three-and-a-half feet from tip to tail, requiring a spacious display area:

A wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table is ideal for showcasing this impressive build. The set, part of the LEGO Jurassic Park franchise, includes minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler, along with a Jurassic Park logo placard. However, the connection to the franchise feels somewhat forced, as the set's name and design focus more on the fossil itself than the movie tie-in:

The LEGO set, officially named 'Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex,' offers an option to display the skeleton without the minifigures, emphasizing its standalone appeal. This set, much like the LEGO Titanic build, is a testament to LEGO's ability to create sophisticated, detailed models that stand on their own merit, without relying on movie tie-ins:

LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, retails for $269.99 and is composed of 3011 pieces. It is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.

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