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

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

Author : Lucas Mar 22,2025

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. Observe the cleverly constructed rib cage, with ribs of varying lengths creating a realistic effect. The use of dark and light bricks masterfully creates shadow and highlights, bringing the "bone" structure to life. Surprisingly, the build is easier than it appears, making its impressive intricacy even more remarkable.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex
$249.99 at LEGO Store

My childhood fascination with dinosaurs, especially the towering T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History, was reignited while reading Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder." Bradbury's vivid description, "*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...*", perfectly captures the awe-inspiring scale of these magnificent creatures.

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For years, the popular image of a T-Rex was an upright posture with a dragging tail (as depicted below):

Source: American Museum of Natural History

However, scientific understanding has evolved. The T-Rex, it turns out, held a more horizontal posture, its tail acting as a counterbalance:

Source: Field Museum

The discovery of "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever found (90%), revolutionized our understanding. The presence of *gastralia* (small bones lining the belly) revealed a much heavier, "barrel-chested" creature than previously imagined – nine to ten tons, not five to seven.

Source: Universal Pictures

Compare this with the leaner depiction in the 1993 film *Jurassic Park*, reflecting the outdated understanding of the time. Today's accurate depiction, based on Sue's skeleton, is considerably more robust:

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

The LEGO T-Rex model accurately reflects this updated understanding, showcasing a horizontal posture. While it doesn't include gastralia, the rib placement suggests a robust build. The forward-facing arms align with the latest Sue display at the Field Museum. The set, comprised of 25 sealed bags, is assembled in stages: stand, backbone, neck, legs, ribs, arms, tail, and finally, the head. The arms, head, and tail are posable.

At nearly three-and-a-half feet long, this model demands a prominent display location. A large, flat surface is recommended. The set includes Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler minifigures and a Jurassic Park-branded placard, although this tie-in feels somewhat unnecessary given the model's inherent appeal.

The Jurassic World branding and minifigure inclusion feel somewhat superfluous. The set's immense size, detail, and price point make it a captivating piece regardless of the movie tie-in. Its inherent elegance is comparable to the LEGO Titanic, needing no additional movie-related elements to enhance its appeal. This isn't just movie memorabilia; it's a magnificent LEGO masterpiece.