We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, The Most Impressive Skeleton Model in 68 Million Years - News

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, available exclusively at the LEGO Store, is a visually stunning and ambitious build that captures the essence of this prehistoric giant. At a striking 1:12 scale, the model's size alone is enough to impress, mirroring the awe-inspiring presence of a real T-Rex.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

Upon closer inspection, the level of detail becomes even more apparent. The ribs are ingeniously 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 user-friendly to assemble, making it accessible to LEGO enthusiasts of various skill levels.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

For many of us, the fascination with dinosaurs began in childhood. I vividly recall being captivated by the towering T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History. This fascination was further fueled by literature, such as Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," which vividly describes the T-Rex with awe-inspiring detail:

"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, popular culture depicted the T-Rex as standing upright with its tail dragging on the ground, as shown in earlier museum displays:

Source: American Museum of Natural History

However, scientific advancements have since corrected this misconception. The T-Rex actually stood with its spine parallel to the ground, using its tail as a counterbalance to its head, as exemplified by "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton discovered:

Source: Field Museum

Sue's discovery in 1990 brought to light the gastralia—small bones that supported the T-Rex's breathing and contributed to a more accurate understanding of its body structure. This revelation significantly altered our perception of the T-Rex's physical appearance, as evidenced by earlier depictions in films like *Jurassic Park*:

Source: Universal Pictures

Thanks to these discoveries, we now understand that the T-Rex was heavier and had a more substantial belly than previously thought, as shown in the most up-to-date model based on Sue's bones:

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects these modern scientific insights, adopting a horizontal positioning for the T-Rex. Although it does not include the gastralia, the rib placement suggests a "barrel-chested" build, deviating from the lean, predatory image often seen in fiction. The model's arms are positioned forward, aligning with the updated display of Sue at the Field Museum in Chicago.

Comprising 25 sealed plastic bags, the set's assembly begins with the black stand, followed by the backbone, neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally the head. The legs and torso are fixed, but the arms, head, and tail are adjustable and posable, adding a dynamic element to the display.

At nearly three-and-a-half feet long, this model demands a significant display space. A wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table would be ideal, allowing the T-Rex to command the attention it deserves.

Although technically part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, the inclusion of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler minifigures from the original film feels somewhat disconnected. The set's name and the option to remove the minifigure and placard display further emphasize its independence from the franchise. This T-Rex is a standalone marvel, akin to the elegance of the LEGO Titanic set, which similarly does not rely on movie tie-ins for its appeal.

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