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LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton Model Unveiled After 68 Million Years

Author : Noah

May 16,2025

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 any dinosaur enthusiast. The set is crafted at a 1:12 scale, creating an impressive and awe-inspiring model of the iconic T-Rex that immediately catches your eye due to its sheer size.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

Upon closer inspection, the level of detail is remarkable. The ribs are meticulously constructed at varying lengths to form a realistic rib cage, and the use of dark-colored bricks creates shadows that accentuate the light-colored "bone" bricks, enhancing the model's authenticity. Despite its intricate appearance, the set is surprisingly straightforward to assemble, making the building experience both enjoyable and rewarding.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

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For those of us who grew up fascinated by dinosaurs, the sight of a T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History was unforgettable. That fascination was further fueled by literature, such as Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," where the T-Rex is described 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 below:

Source: American Museum of Natural History

However, recent scientific research has revealed that the T-Rex actually stood with its spine parallel to the ground, using its tail as a counterbalance. This more accurate depiction is represented by the following image of "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton found to date:

Source: Field Museum

Sue's discovery in 1990 brought to light the existence of gastralia—tiny bones supporting the T-Rex's breathing and contributing to its heavier build. This new understanding is reflected in modern depictions, such as the one from the 1993 film *Jurassic Park*, which shows the T-Rex with a more horizontal posture but still lacking the updated understanding of its weight and size:

Source: Universal Pictures

The most accurate and updated depiction of a T-Rex, based on Sue's bones, showcases a chubbier and more realistic figure:

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

Reflecting the latest scientific insights, the LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set accurately portrays the T-Rex in a horizontal position, although it does not include the gastralia. The model's rib positioning suggests a "barrel-chested" creature, and its arms are positioned forward, aligning with the updated display of Sue at the Field Museum in Chicago.

The set includes 25 sealed plastic bags, starting with the construction of the black stand, followed by the backbone, neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally the head. The legs and torso are fixed, while the arms, head, and tail are adjustable and posable.

Stretching nearly three-and-a-half feet from tip to tail, this model is a significant piece that requires ample space. A wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table is ideal to showcase its magnificence.

Part of the LEGO Jurassic Park franchise, the set includes minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, placed in front of the fossil on a stand attachment with a Jurassic Park-branded placard. However, the tie-in feels somewhat forced, as the set's name and instructions suggest it can stand independently of the movie connection.

This T-Rex model's grandeur and detail are sufficient to stand on their own, much like the LEGO Titanic set, without relying on movie memorabilia. The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, comprises 3011 pieces and is priced at $269.99, available exclusively at the LEGO Store.