LEGO Dinosaurs: 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 captivates at first glance. Its impressive 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex immediately draws attention due to its size, which is nearly three-and-a-half feet long from tip to tail. This set's scale and detail make it a centerpiece that will dominate any space it occupies, requiring a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table to showcase its magnificence properly.

Upon closer inspection, the set's intricate design becomes even more apparent. The ribs are crafted at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," while dark-colored bricks add depth and shadow, enhancing the visual impact of the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its complex appearance, the set is surprisingly straightforward to assemble, which only adds to its allure.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

Priced at $249.99 at the LEGO Store, this set is a must-have for dinosaur enthusiasts and LEGO builders alike.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

The building process involves 25 sealed plastic bags, starting with the black stand that supports the model. You then construct the T-Rex's backbone, attaching it to vertical supports, followed by the neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally, the head. The legs and torso are fixed in place, but the arms, head, and tail are adjustable, allowing for various poses.

168 Images

As a child, I was fascinated by dinosaurs, particularly the towering T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History. This fascination was further fueled by Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," which vividly described 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."*

Historically, the T-Rex was often depicted standing upright with its tail dragging on the ground, as seen in early museum displays and popular media:

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 T-Rex skeleton ever found (90%). Discovered by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson in 1990, this find revolutionized our understanding of the T-Rex's anatomy, including the discovery of gastralia, small bones that supported the dinosaur's breathing and contributed to its heavier build.

Source: Universal Pictures

The 1993 film *Jurassic Park* depicted a leaner T-Rex, reflecting the outdated understanding of the time. However, with the discovery of the gastralia, we now know that the T-Rex was much heavier, weighing nine to ten tons rather than the previously estimated five to seven tons.

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

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects this updated scientific understanding, maintaining the T-Rex's horizontal positioning. While it does not include the gastralia, the rib positioning suggests a "barrel-chested" creature, aligning with the latest research. The set's arms are positioned forward, consistent with the updated display of Sue at the Field Museum in Chicago.

The set is technically 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, along with a Jurassic Park-branded placard. However, this tie-in feels somewhat forced, as the set's name and instructions offer an option to display the T-Rex without these elements. The set's grandeur and detail stand on their own, much like the LEGO Titanic build, and do not rely on movie memorabilia for appeal.

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

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