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

by Riley Apr 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 awe and grandeur of this iconic dinosaur. You'll be immediately impressed by its size; this model is crafted at a 1:12 scale, offering a life-like representation of a real T-Rex.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

Upon closer inspection, the set's attention to detail becomes evident. The ribs are meticulously built at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," and the use of dark-colored bricks enhances the shadow effect, highlighting the light-colored "bone" bricks to create a striking contrast. 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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As a child fascinated by dinosaurs, I recall being captivated by the towering T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History. Later, Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder" further fueled my imagination with its vivid depiction of the dinosaur:

"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, I, like many others, believed the T-Rex stood upright with its tail dragging on the ground:

Source: American Museum of Natural History

However, scientific research has since shown that the T-Rex actually stood with its spine parallel to the ground, using its tail as a counterbalance to its head:

Source: Field Museum

This photo features "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever discovered (90%). Its discovery by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson in 1990 changed our understanding of the T-Rex's appearance and life. The tiny bones in its belly, known as *gastralia*, were initially omitted from displays but are now known to have supported the dinosaur's breathing.

Source: Universal Pictures

This image from the 1993 film *Jurassic Park* reflects an outdated view of the T-Rex, showing it leaner than we now know it to be. With the discovery of the gastralia, it's clear that the T-Rex was much heavier, weighing nine to ten tons rather than the previously estimated five to seven tons, with a more pronounced belly.

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

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set mirrors this scientific accuracy, adopting the T-Rex's horizontal stance. Although it does not include the gastralia, the set's rib positioning suggests a "barrel-chested" build, contrasting with the leaner depictions in popular culture. The model's arms are positioned forward, reflecting the updated display of Sue at the Field Museum in Chicago.

The set comes in 25 sealed plastic bags, guiding you 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 backbone and stand. The legs and torso are fixed, while the arms, head, and tail remain adjustable and posable.

Stretching nearly three-and-a-half feet from tip to tail, this impressive 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 room.

Officially part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, the set includes minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, along with a stand attachment and a placard bearing the Jurassic Park logo. However, the connection to the franchise feels somewhat forced, as the set's name and instructions even allow for the removal of these elements, emphasizing the model's standalone appeal.

The inclusion of the minifigures and branding seems unnecessary for a model of this caliber, size, and price. Much like the LEGO Titanic set, the T-Rex model stands on its own merit, transcending mere movie memorabilia to become a sophisticated piece of LEGO art.

LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, retails for $269.99 and comprises 3011 pieces. It is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.