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 that captures the awe-inspiring nature of one of the most iconic dinosaurs. Upon first glance, you'll be taken aback by its impressive size; 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

As you inspect the model more closely, the intricate detailing becomes apparent. The ribs are built at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," while the use of dark-colored bricks adds depth, creating shadows that accentuate the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its complex appearance, the set is surprisingly user-friendly to assemble, which only enhances its appeal.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

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My fascination with dinosaurs began in childhood, especially during visits to the American Museum of Natural History where the towering T-Rex skeleton always captured my imagination. This interest was further fueled years later by Ray Bradbury's sci-fi short story, "A Sound of Thunder," which vividly describes the awe of encountering a 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 a T-Rex standing upright with its tail dragging on the ground was a common misconception, as depicted in earlier representations:

Source: American Museum of Natural History

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

Source: Field Museum

The above photo showcases "Sue," the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton discovered, with a 90% completeness. The discovery of "Sue" by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson in 1990 revolutionized our understanding of the T-Rex's anatomy. Notably, the *gastralia*—tiny bones located where the T-Rex's belly would have been—support the breathing mechanism and were initially omitted from early displays due to their mysterious function at the time.

Source: Universal Pictures

The depiction of the T-Rex in the 1993 film *Jurassic Park* reflects the outdated view of a lean, upright dinosaur. However, current scientific findings suggest that the T-Rex was much heavier, weighing between nine to ten tons, with a substantial belly that nearly touched the ground.

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

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

This updated view of the T-Rex, appearing chubbier and more endearing, reflects our current understanding. The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set adheres to these scientific findings, maintaining the horizontal positioning of the T-Rex. While it does not include the gastralia, the positioning of the ribs suggests a "barrel-chested" build, contrasting with the lean depictions often seen in popular media. The model's arms are positioned forward, consistent with the updated display of "Sue" at the Field Museum in Chicago.

The set comes in 25 sealed plastic bags. Assembly begins with constructing 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, are then added sequentially. The legs and torso are fixed in place, while the arms, head, and tail remain adjustable for posing.

From tip to tail, this model measures nearly three-and-a-half feet long, which may present a challenge when deciding on its display location. It will command attention in any space, ideally suited for a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table rather than a cramped shelf.

Although this set is part of the LEGO Jurassic Park franchise, the connection feels somewhat forced. The final bag includes minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original Jurassic Park film, along with a stand attachment and a placard branded with the Jurassic Park logo. However, the set's name and the option to remove these elements suggest a disconnect from the movie tie-in.

This set stands out on its own merit, much like the LEGO Titanic build, and does not rely on movie tie-ins to enhance its appeal. The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, is priced at $269.99 and comprises 3011 pieces, available exclusively at the LEGO Store.