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

Author：Kristen Update：Apr 07,2025

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 is a true-to-life representation of a real T-Rex, and its size alone is enough to leave you in awe.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

Upon closer inspection, the set's attention to detail is remarkable. The ribs are constructed at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," while the use of dark-colored bricks creates shadows that enhance the visual impact of the light-colored "bone" bricks. 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 towering marvel. 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 early illustrations and museum displays:

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 small bones known as *gastralia* were initially omitted from public displays due to uncertainty about their placement. We now know these bones supported the T-Rex's breathing and lined its belly.

Source: Universal Pictures

The 1993 film *Jurassic Park* depicted the T-Rex with a more horizontal posture, yet it still portrayed a leaner body than what we now understand to be accurate. Thanks to the discovery of the gastralia, we know the T-Rex was much heavier, weighing between nine to ten tons, with a significant belly that hung close to the ground.

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

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects this modern 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 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, and the assembly process begins with building the black stand. 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, but the arms, head, and tail are adjustable and posable.

Measuring nearly three-and-a-half feet from tip to tail, this model requires a spacious display area. It's best suited for 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, the inclusion feels somewhat forced, as the set's name and the option to remove the minifigure display suggest a focus on the T-Rex itself rather than the movie tie-in.

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, with its size, scope, and price, stands on its own merit, much like the LEGO Titanic build. It doesn't need the movie tie-ins to be impressive; it's a masterpiece in its own right.