Home News LEGO Dinosaurs: Reconstructing T-Rex Fossils After 68 Million Years

LEGO Dinosaurs: Reconstructing T-Rex Fossils After 68 Million Years

Author: Isaac Apr 15,2025

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. Upon first glance, its size is striking; this model is crafted at a 1:12 scale, mirroring the grandeur of a real T-Rex.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

A closer look reveals the intricate detail of the set: the ribs are constructed at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," and the use of dark-colored bricks creates shadows that enhance the visibility of the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its apparent complexity, the set is surprisingly easy to assemble, which adds to its appeal and the overall impressiveness of the final product.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

168 Images

As a child, my fascination with dinosaurs was fueled by visits to the American Museum of Natural History, where the towering T-Rex skeleton always left a lasting impression. This fascination was later deepened by Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," a sci-fi short story that vividly describes the awe-inspiring presence of a 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."

Growing up, many believed the T-Rex stood upright with its tail dragging, as depicted here:

Source: American Museum of Natural History

However, scientific research later revealed that the T-Rex actually stood with its spine parallel to the ground, using its tail as a counterbalance:

Source: Field Museum

The photo above features "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever discovered (90% complete). Discovered by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson in 1990, this find transformed our understanding of the T-Rex. The small bones in the belly area, known as gastralia, were initially omitted from public displays due to uncertainty about their placement. We now know they supported the T-Rex's breathing and contributed to its overall body structure.

Source: Universal Pictures

The T-Rex depicted in the 1993 film Jurassic Park reflects older perceptions, showing a leaner body compared to what we now know. The discovery of the gastralia indicates that the T-Rex was heavier, weighing nine to ten tons rather than the previously estimated five to seven tons, with a fuller belly.

This life-sized model, based on Sue's bones, offers the most accurate depiction of a T-Rex to date:

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

This portrayal reveals a chubbier and more endearing image of the T-Rex than previously imagined.

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects this updated scientific understanding by maintaining the T-Rex's horizontal posture. While it does not include the gastralia, the rib positioning suggests a "barrel-chested" build rather than the lean, agile predator often seen in popular culture. The arms are positioned forward, consistent with the latest displays, such as the one at the Field Museum in Chicago.

The set comes in 25 sealed plastic bags, with the assembly starting with the black stand. You then build the backbone and attach 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.

Spanning nearly three-and-a-half feet from tip to tail, this model demands significant space. It's best displayed on a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table, rather than on a crowded shelf.

Although this set is part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, the tie-in feels somewhat forced. The final bag includes minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, along with a Jurassic Park logo placard. However, the set's name and instructions offer an option to remove these elements, highlighting the awkwardness of the movie tie-in. The set's appeal lies in its impressive size, detail, and price point, not its brand association.

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, retails for $269.99 and comprises 3011 pieces. It's available exclusively at the LEGO Store and stands as a testament to the craftsmanship and educational value LEGO offers, much like the iconic LEGO Titanic set.