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

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, a LEGO Store exclusive, is a breathtakingly ambitious build. Its sheer size is immediately striking; this is a meticulously detailed 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex. Upon closer inspection, the level of detail is astonishing. Notice the cleverly constructed rib cage with ribs of varying lengths, and how the use of dark and light bricks creates stunning shadows and highlights, giving the "bones" a remarkable realism. Surprisingly, it's easier to assemble than its intricate appearance suggests, making the final product even more impressive.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

^$249.99 at LEGO Store

Building the LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

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My childhood fascination with dinosaurs, particularly the towering T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History, was reignited by Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder." The passage describing the T-Rex as "a great evil god" perfectly captured the awe-inspiring scale of these creatures:

"*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 years, the popular depiction of the T-Rex was an upright posture with a dragging tail:

However, scientific understanding has evolved. The T-Rex, contrary to earlier depictions, actually held its spine parallel to the ground, its tail acting as a counterbalance:

The discovery of "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever found (90%), revolutionized our understanding. The discovery of *gastralia* (small bones lining the belly) revealed a much heavier, "barrel-chested" creature than previously imagined, weighing nine to ten tons.

Compare this to the leaner depiction in the 1993 film *Jurassic Park*, reflecting the outdated understanding of the time. Modern reconstructions, based on "Sue," show a significantly heavier, more robust animal:

The LEGO T-Rex model accurately reflects this updated understanding, showcasing a horizontal posture. While it doesn't include gastralia, the ribcage suggests a more robust build. The forward-facing arms align with the current Field Museum display of "Sue."

The set, comprised of 25 sealed bags, is built in stages: stand, backbone, neck, legs and hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally, the head. The legs and torso are fixed, but the arms, head, and tail are posable. At nearly three-and-a-half feet long, this model demands a prominent display location.

The set includes Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler minifigures and a Jurassic Park-branded placard, a somewhat incongruous tie-in considering the set's focus on scientific accuracy. The option to detach the minifigures and placard highlights the set's inherent value as a stunning model, independent of the film franchise.

The Jurassic Park branding feels superfluous. This impressive model, with its size, scope, and price, stands on its own merits, similar to the LEGO Titanic. Its inherent quality transcends the need for movie tie-ins.

LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex (Set #10335), retailing at $269.99 and containing 3011 pieces, is exclusively available at the LEGO Store.

More Sets From the LEGO Jurassic Park Collection:

LEGO T. rex Skull

LEGO Jurassic Park Visitor Center

LEGO Triceratops Skull

LEGO Little Eatie T Rex

LEGO Creator 3 in 1 T. Rex