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

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

Author : Charlotte May 02,2025

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 dinosaur enthusiasts and LEGO fans alike. At a 1:12 scale, this model of a real T-Rex is impressive in size, immediately drawing attention with its sheer presence.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

Upon closer inspection, the detail of the set becomes apparent. The ribs are meticulously crafted at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," while the use of dark-colored bricks enhances the shadow effect, making the light-colored "bone" bricks stand out vividly. Despite its intricate appearance, the set is surprisingly easy to assemble, which only adds to its allure.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

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For those who grew up fascinated by dinosaurs, the T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History was a highlight, towering over visitors. This fascination was further fueled by literature, such as Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," which vividly describes 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 many older representations:

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 Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever found, at 90% completeness. Discovered by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson in 1990, this find revolutionized our understanding of the T-Rex's anatomy. Notably, the *gastralia*—small bones supporting the T-Rex's belly and aiding in breathing—were initially omitted from public displays due to their unknown placement at the time of discovery.

Source: Universal Pictures

The T-Rex from the 1993 film *Jurassic Park* reflects the outdated view of dinosaurs, showing a leaner body than what we now know to be accurate. Thanks to the discovery of the gastralia, we understand that the T-Rex was much heavier, weighing nine to ten tons, with a more substantial belly:

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

This updated model, based on Sue's bones, offers a more accurate and somewhat endearing depiction of the T-Rex. The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects this modern understanding, maintaining the horizontal positioning of the T-Rex. While it does not include the gastralia, the rib positioning suggests a "barrel-chested" creature, aligning with current scientific insights. The set'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, guiding builders through the assembly process. You start by 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, is built sequentially and attached to the spine and stand. The legs and torso are fixed, but the arms, head, and tail are adjustable, allowing for various poses.

Measuring nearly three-and-a-half feet from tip to tail, this model requires ample space. It's best displayed on a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table, where it can truly dominate the space it occupies.

Although 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-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 LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set stands on its own merit, much like the LEGO Titanic build, and does not rely on movie memorabilia for its appeal.