LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus 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. At a striking 1:12 scale, this model captures the awe-inspiring size of a real T-Rex, immediately drawing attention with its impressive dimensions.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

Upon closer inspection, the detail becomes even more captivating. The ribs are meticulously crafted at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," while the use of dark-colored bricks creates shadows that enhance the light-colored "bone" bricks, giving the model a striking, lifelike appearance. Despite its intricate look, the set is surprisingly user-friendly to assemble, which only adds to the appreciation of its complexity.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

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My fascination with dinosaurs began in childhood, particularly during visits to the American Museum of Natural History where the towering T-Rex skeleton left a lasting impression. This interest deepened when I read Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," which vividly described the T-Rex with these evocative words:

"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, the popular depiction of the T-Rex was of it standing upright with its tail dragging on the ground:

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 to its head:

Source: Field Museum

The above photo showcases "Sue," the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever discovered, at 90% completeness. Discovered by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson in 1990, this find significantly altered our understanding of the T-Rex's anatomy. Notably, the tiny bones near the T-Rex's belly, known as *gastralia*, were initially omitted from public displays due to their then-unknown function. Today, we understand that these bones supported the T-Rex's breathing and contributed to its substantial girth.

Source: Universal Pictures

The evolution in our understanding of the T-Rex's physical traits is evident when comparing its depiction in the 1993 film *Jurassic Park* with more recent findings. The film's T-Rex is positioned more horizontally but appears leaner than the latest scientific reconstructions, which suggest a much heavier build of nine to ten tons, with a large belly close to the ground.

The most updated and accurate depiction of a T-Rex, based on Sue's bones, reflects this new understanding:

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

It's a chubbier and perhaps more endearing image than we previously imagined. The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects these scientific updates by maintaining the T-Rex's horizontal positioning, though it omits the gastralia. The rib structure suggests a "barrel-chested" creature, aligning with contemporary views rather than the lean, efficient killing machine seen in popular fiction. The model's arms are positioned forward, consistent with the latest display of Sue at the Field Museum in Chicago.

The set comprises 25 sealed plastic bags. Assembly begins with the black stand, followed by the backbone which attaches to vertical supports. The rest of the model, including the neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and head, is built and attached sequentially. The legs and torso are fixed, but the arms, head, and tail are adjustable, allowing for dynamic posing.

Stretching nearly three-and-a-half feet from tip to tail, this model demands a spacious display area. It's best suited for a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table rather than a cramped shelf. Its presence will undeniably dominate any space it occupies, deserving a location that highlights its magnificence.

While technically part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, the set includes minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, along with a Jurassic Park logo placard. However, this tie-in feels somewhat forced. The set's name, 'Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex,' lacks any direct movie reference, and the instructions even offer an option to remove the minifigure and placard display, allowing the skeleton to stand alone. This feature underscores the set's independence from the franchise, suggesting it stands on its own merit.

Indeed, the set's appeal lies not in its brand synergy but in its sheer size, scope, and price. Like the LEGO Titanic build, it exudes a classiness that transcends mere movie memorabilia. The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, priced at $269.99 and composed of 3011 pieces, is a testament to LEGO's commitment to detailed and accurate models.

LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.

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