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LEGO Unveils T-Rex Fossil Model: Most Impressive in 68 Million Years

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, available exclusively at the LEGO Store, is a visually stunning and ambitious build. At first glance, you're struck by its impressive size; this is a 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex, designed to capture the awe and majesty of this prehistoric giant.

By Madison: Apr 24,2025

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

Upon closer inspection, you'll be amazed by the intricate detail: the ribs are constructed at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," while the dark-colored bricks enhance the shadow effect, making the light-colored "bone" bricks stand out vividly. Despite its complexity, the set is surprisingly easy to assemble, which only adds to the appreciation of its detailed design.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

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As a child, I was fascinated by dinosaurs, particularly the towering T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History. This fascination was reignited years later when I read Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," a sci-fi short story about time travel. The following passage vividly captured the thrill and awe of encountering such a colossal creature:

"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 of us were taught that the T-Rex stood upright with its tail dragging on the ground, as depicted in early illustrations:

Source: American Museum of Natural History

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

Source: Field Museum

The photo above is of "Sue," the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever discovered (90% complete). When Sue Hendrickson unearthed it in 1990, it transformed our understanding of the T-Rex's life and appearance. Notice the tiny bones in the belly area known as *gastralia*. Initially, these were omitted from public displays because their function was unknown. Today, we understand that they supported the T-Rex's breathing and contributed to its robust build.

Source: Universal Pictures

The T-Rex from the 1993 film *Jurassic Park* reflects the outdated view of dinosaurs as lean and upright. However, with the discovery of the gastralia, we now know that the T-Rex was much heavier, weighing nine to ten tons, with a large belly that hung close to the ground.

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

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

It's chubbier and cuter than we once imagined, isn't it?

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects the latest scientific findings by maintaining the T-Rex's horizontal stance. While it doesn't include the gastralia, the rib positioning suggests a "barrel-chested" build, deviating from the lean predator often portrayed in popular culture. The model'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. You begin by constructing the black stand, followed by the T-Rex's backbone, which attaches to vertical supports. The rest of the model is then built around this backbone, starting with the neck, followed by the legs and hips, which anchor to the stand's base, then the ribs and arms, the 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 ample space. It will dominate any area it's placed in, making a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table ideal. Avoid placing it on a shelf between other shelves, and choose a location that honors its grandeur.

Officially part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, the final bag includes two minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler, posed in front of the fossil on a stand attachment. The accompanying placard features the Jurassic Park logo. However, this tie-in feels somewhat forced, as the set's name, 'Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex,' doesn't mention the movie, and the instruction booklet even offers an option to detach the minifigure and placard display. This suggests that the Jurassic Park connection might be unnecessary for a model of this size, scope, and price, which stands impressively on its own.

In reality, the set's appeal lies in its grandeur and detail, not its franchise connection. Like the LEGO Titanic set, it's a sophisticated build that doesn't rely on movie tie-ins. The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, retails for $269.99 and comprises 3011 pieces, available exclusively at the LEGO Store.