2016 | Everything Dinosaur Blog

9 06, 2016

The High Quality English Science Curriculum

By Mike|2024-05-06T06:42:23+01:00June 9th, 2016|Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

What Will a High Quality Science Education Achieve?

This week Everything Dinosaur team members participated in a North West Science Alliance meeting. It took place at the magnificent Preston iSTEM Centre at Preston’s College (Lancashire, northern England). The ISTEM (innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), Centre is a fantastic £13 million facility that provides educational opportunities for some 600 students. A diverse range of courses are offered from traditional “A” levels to qualifications in electrical engineering, laboratory practice, dental nursing and creative and digital media.

Everything Dinosaur and STEM

The great thing about the iSTEM Centre is that it is not just a shiny, well-appointed, new building. It is a bespoke learning environment that provides students with real work experiences. It manages to bridge the student world with that of the world of work. Many local employers have grasped the Centre’s ethos of delivering top class training and forged meaningful, long-term relationships with the course providers.

We praise all those involved in this important undertaking.

What Does the English Science Curriculum Contribute?

At the meeting, as we listened to the speakers, our thoughts turned to Everything Dinosaur’s own work in schools and later, in the office, we asked the question what does the new English science curriculum hope to contribute?

How to Forge the Next Generation of Scientists?

Developing the next generation of scientists.

Picture credit: Lego

Hopefully, by providing a high quality, challenging science education for children, a science education that is broad-based and led by motivated and enthusiastic teaching staff we shall be able to:

Encourage pupils to understand how science can be used to explain what is happening as well as helping to solve problems
Promote a fascination and respect for the natural world
Equip children with life-long learning skills
Inspire pupils to ask challenging questions and to work scientifically

When working with classes delivering dinosaur and fossil themed workshops we try to inspire and motivate the next generation of scientists. With tactile, kinaesthetic lessons we aim to help children develop their scientific knowledge as well as to develop an understanding of scientific concepts.

Helping Students to Gain an Insight into Scientific Working

Helping to inspire the next generation (Neanderthal skull modelling).

Gaining Confidence/Developing Knowledge

At Everything Dinosaur we tailor our workshops to meet the learning needs of the class and we take care to ensure that what we deliver compliments the teaching scheme of work. Our aim is to develop scientific understanding and to give students an appreciation of the scientific method.

For further information on Everything Dinosaur’s work and ethics: About Everything Dinosaur.

Applying and Using the Skills of a Scientist

When working with a class or a group of students, our qualified teaching team aim to develop good scientific practice and encourage the use of scientific terms accurately as well as encouraging participants to observe, assess the evidence and hypothesise. We want to promote an ethos of gathering and recording evidence, making evaluations, analysing trends and drawing appropriate conclusions.

In our own small way, Everything Dinosaur is making a positive contribution to science teaching.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

8 06, 2016

Time to Debunk Mammals Totally Dominated by Dinosaurs Myth

By Mike|2023-05-01T08:50:49+01:00June 8th, 2016|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

Mammals Began to Flourish Before the Dinosaur Extinction

Our congratulations to Elis Newham, a PhD student at the University of Southampton and fellow PhD candidate David Grossnickle (University of Chicago), who have published a scientific paper which effectively debunks the idea that it was only after the dinosaurs became extinct that mammals began to diversify into their myriad forms. Writing in the “Proceedings of the Royal Society – Biology”, the scientists conclude that mammals began to diversify some ten to twenty million years before the End Cretaceous extinction event that saw the demise of the non-avian members of the Dinosauria.

The Dinosaur Extinction

The Popular Misconception that Dinosaur Extinction Led to the Rise of Mammals

An illustration of the Triassic mammal Morganucodon. Mammals lived alongside the Dinosauria for millions of years.

Mammalia Suffered in the End Cretaceous Extinction Event Too

In addition to concluding that the furry mammals were not destined to forever lurk and hide in the shadows whilst the dinosaurs roamed, the scientists have also noted that a number of lineages of mammals became extinct at or around the time of the demise of the dinosaurs. It seems that the mammals too, suffered during the Cretaceous-Palaeogene extinction event, albeit not as much as the dinosaurs.

A Popular Belief but a Mistaken One

Thanks to countless prehistoric animal books, dinosaur documentaries and films, it is a popular belief amongst members of the public that mammalian diversity was suppressed during the Mesozoic, the little, insectivorous mammals could not radiate out and become more diverse as the terrestrial ecosystems were dominated by reptiles, specifically those “terrible lizards” – the dinosaurs. It was only after the dinosaurs died out, that the mammals were able to exploit all those parts of the food chain now vacated and this led to an explosion of different types of mammals during the early part of the Cenozoic.

For models of dinosaurs and prehistoric mammals: Wild Safari Prehistoric World Figures.

Elis Newham, a student in Engineering and the Environment at Southampton University explained:

“The traditional view is that mammals were suppressed during the ‘age of the dinosaurs’ and underwent a rapid diversification immediately following the extinction of the dinosaurs. However, our findings were that therian mammals, the ancestors of most modern mammals [placentals and marsupials], were already diversifying considerably before the extinction event and the event also had a considerably negative impact on mammal diversity.”

Over the Last Few Decades More Fossils of Mammals Have Been Found

Early arboreal mammal from north-eastern China.

Picture credit: University of Chicago (illustration by April Neander)

The picture above shows an illustration and skeletal drawing of the mouse-sized, Middle Jurassic, arboreal mammaliaform Agilodocodon scansorius, whose fossils come from China. Over the last two decades or so, a lot more fossil material has been found relating to early mammals and this evidence indicates that throughout much of the Mesozoic, the ancestors of modern mammals were quite ecological diverse. The research, leading to the naming of A. scansorius was undertaken in part, by scientists from the University of Chicago.

To read more about this study: New Fossil Finds Indicates Widespread Early Mammaliaform Diversity

An Old Theory

Previously, scientists had theorised that as many of the early mammal fossils represented small shrew-sized creatures that were insectivorous, there did not seem to be too much mammalian diversity. However, as more and more early mammal fossils have been discovered, so palaeontologists have became increasingly aware of a much bigger variety of mammals living alongside the dinosaurs.

The researchers examined the teeth (specifically the molars), of hundreds of early mammal specimens in museum collections. The pair found that the mammals that lived in the Late Cretaceous had a wide variety of different tooth shapes, indicating a wide variation in diet. Working out the diets of Late Cretaceous mammals proved vital in the researchers identifying something unexpected regarding the extinction of mammalian genera at the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary.

Selective Extinction of Early Mammals

The mass extinction event may not have been the perfect opportunity for the rise of the mammals as many scientists and most members of the public had previously thought. This study suggests that early mammals were affected by a selective extinction at the same time the dinosaurs became extinct. Many mammals with a highly specialised diet died out, the generalists that could adapt to a wide range of food seemed better able to survive the global catastrophe.

Both authors expressed surprise when their data showed that mammals were initially negatively impacted by the mass extinction event.

Lead author of the paper, David Grossnickle remarked:

“I fully expected to see more diverse mammals immediately after the extinction. I wasn’t expecting to see any sort of drop. It didn’t match the traditional view that after the extinction, mammals hit the ground running. It’s part of the reason why I went back to study it further, it seemed wrong.”

Searching for the Reasons Behind Pre-extinction Mammalia Diversification

The reasons behind the mammals’ pre-extinction diversification are unclear. The authors comment on a possible link between the increasing types of mammals and the rise of the angiosperms (flowering plants). Flowering plants might have provided new sources of food for small animals such as seeds, fruit and flowers. An increase in the number of insects as the flowers evolved may have also helped the Mammalia as many of the early mammals were insect eaters.

Back in the spring, Everything Dinosaur published a blog article which looked at some research that suggested seed eating may have helped some types of bird survive the Cretaceous mass extinction event.

To read this article: Seed-eating May Have Helped Birds Survive.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

7 06, 2016

Lucy Had Neighbours According to New Study

By Mike|2024-05-06T06:42:47+01:00June 7th, 2016|Key Stage 3/4|Comments Off on Lucy Had Neighbours According to New Study

New Study Suggests Lots of Early Hominins

A new study published this week in the academic journal “The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (United States)”, concludes that the early hominins of Africa were much more speciose than previously thought. The most famous early human fossil, “Lucy” so named as the field team were listening to “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” by the Beatles when her fragmentary fossils first came to light, a member of the species Australopithecus afarensis, had plenty of other types of early hominin for company.

Early Hominins

A Model of an Australopithecus afarensis

At home on the plains. A model of Australopithecus afarensis.

A Complicated Family Tree

The analysis of the current known early hominin fossil material was conducted by Dr Yohannes Haile-Selassie and Dr Denise Su (The Cleveland Museum of Natural History), in conjunction with their colleague from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Dr Stephanie Melillo. In a review of the fossil evidence from Chad, Ethiopia and Kenya, the scientists suggest that around 3.6 million years ago, a number of ancient hominin species co-existed. It seems that “Lucy” and her kind had plenty of company. The hominin family tree is complicated.

More models and replicas of early hominins: Safari Ltd. Wild Safari Prehistoric World Models.

Hominin Diversity in the Late Miocene and Pliocene Epochs

A number of early hominin species have been identified.

Late Miocene and Pliocene hominin diversity.

Picture credit: PNAS with additional annotation by Everything Dinosaur

The scientists conclude that more fossil material needs to be found. More fossils will help establish the evolutionary relationships of these species. The researchers would like to know how these early hominins competed for resources.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

7 06, 2016

Sorting Out Lucy’s Neighbours Thanks to New Research

By Mike|2024-05-06T06:43:14+01:00June 7th, 2016|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

Pliocene Hominin Diversity – Neighbours for Lucy

Anthropologists have discovered that the human family tree, that branch of the hominins that led ultimately to our own species H. sapiens, is very complicated. We might like to think that our own evolution was predestined, once the first apes that left the trees and started to walk upright on a regular basis, our big-brained species was bound to come along, but that does not seem to be the case. For example, scientists have now concluded that there were at least four species of hominin present in Europe and Asia up until relatively recently.

A New Scientific Paper

In a new paper, published in the “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”, researchers have reviewed Late and Middle Pliocene hominin fossils and concluded that there were multiple species of early hominins around between 3.8 and 3.3 million years ago. It seems that “Lucy” the most famous example of Australopithecus afarensis had company – lots of company in fact.

Late Miocene and Pliocene Hominin Chronological Distribution

Late Miocene and Pliocene hominin diversity.

Picture credit: PNAS with additional annotation by Everything Dinosaur

All Early Hominin Fossils Packed into a Suitcase

Four decades ago, the number of early hominin fossils discovered in eastern Africa was very low. We recall anthropologists joking, but with some degree of truth, that the entire east African hominin fossil record could be packed into a single, large suitcase. However, recent fossil discoveries have greatly increased the amount of fossil material known and raised the possibility that early hominins in Africa were at least as speciose as later members of the human family tree.

Pliocene Hominin Diversity

The graph above plots the current recognised species of Late Miocene and Early Pliocene hominin species over the last seven million years or so. The different coloured columns represent different taxa and the length of each column equates to the approximate length of time that each taxon is known to have existed. Dotted parts indicate uncertainty in the age of a taxon or the absence of fossils from that particular time span.

Lucy, as a member of the australopithecines (southern apes), and an A. afarensis represents a species that lived from approximately 3.9 million years ago to around 3 million years ago. The solid, black line forming a rectangle shape on the timeline around 3.6 million years ago shows the presence of multiple hominin species during the Middle Pliocene. It seems that Australopithecus afarensis had lots of other hominin species for company.

In the diagram above, the dashed rectangle situated around the 6 million years ago mark, indicates possible hominin diversity as far back as the Late Miocene, if the three earliest named hominin species represent different taxa.

An Update on Pliocene Hominin Fossils from Africa

The authors of the scientific paper, Dr Yohannes Haile-Selassie and Dr Denise Su (The Cleveland Museum of Natural History), in collaboration with their colleague Dr Stephanie Melillo (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany), have compiled a detailed review of the current fossil material of early hominins, collating data from fossil discoveries from Ethiopia, Chad and Kenya. This review demonstrates the complexity of the early hominin evolutionary tree and it raises the intriguing question, how did these early humans relate to each other? For example, was there niche partitioning taking place? How did these different species compete for resources?

Pliocene Hominin Diversity

Lead author of the report, Dr Yohannes Haile-Selassie (Curator of Physical Anthropology at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History), commented:

“It is now obvious that more than one species of early hominin co-existed during Lucy’s time. The question now is not whether Australopithecus afarensis, the species to which the famous Lucy belongs, was the only potential human ancestor species that roamed in what is now the Afar region of Ethiopia during the middle Pliocene, but how these species are related to each other and exploited available resources.”

Australopithecus deyiremeda

The idea that a number of australopithecines co-existed is not new. Back in 2015, Everything Dinosaur reported on the discovery of Australopithecus deyiremeda by a team of researchers led by Dr Yohannes Haile-Selassie. This new species was named after four fragmentary pieces of fossil jaw bone complete with teeth, which represented three individuals had been discovered in the Woranso-Mille area of the Afar region in March 2011.

Dr Yohannes Haile-Selassie Holds a Cast of the Jaws of Australopithecus deyiremeda

A cast of the jaws of A. deyiremeda an Australopithecine from northern Ethiopia.

Picture credit: Laura Dempsey

To read about the Australopithecus deyiremeda research: A New Face to the Human Family Tree.

Putting an Evolutionary Foot in it!

The paucity of the fossil record and the highly fragmentary nature of most of the known fossil material makes interpreting the fossil record extremely difficult. Perhaps the most compelling evidence for the presence of more than one type of early human species in eastern Africa between 3.8 and 3.3 million years ago, was the discovery of a partial foot (the Burtele foot), in the Woranso-Mille region of Afar, the same area where the jaws of A. deyiremeda were discovered.

The Burtele Foot Fossil (Afar Region of Ethiopia)

A partial right foot with an opposable big toe representing an as yet not described species of early human.

Picture credit: The Cleveland Museum of Natural History/ Dr Yohannes Haile-Selassie

The specimen (BRT-VP-2/73), is photographed above in the correct anatomical position. These bones represent the right foot and the bones on the left of the picture are the big toe (hallux). Researchers have concluded that this digit was opposable, so the foot was also used for grasping. The foot bones, referred to as the “Burtele foot”, come from strata that is little younger than the strata where the jaw bone fossils of Australopithecus deyiremeda were found. However, it is possible that these two species may have co-existed.

Several Hominin Species

The foot represents a species that was contemporaneous with A. afarensis and probably several other early hominin species too. Assessment of the walking abilities of the creature represented by the Burtele foot, indicates that its locomotion was different from that of A. afarensis, perhaps the foot bones provide evidence to support the idea that a more ancient human-like species, Ardipithecus ramidus persisted much longer than previously thought, or these foot bones could represent an as yet unknown species.

Commenting on the need to continue to explore eastern Africa to help unravel this early human puzzle, Dr Stephanie Melillo of the Max Planck Institute stated:

“We continue to search for more fossils. We know a lot about the skeleton of A. afarensis, but for the other Middle Pliocene species, most of the anatomy remains unknown. Ultimately, larger sample sizes will be the key to sorting out which species are present and how they are related. This makes every fossil discovery all the more exciting.”

6 06, 2016

Best Prehistoric Animal Models of 2015

By Mike|2023-04-30T22:20:27+01:00June 6th, 2016|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Everything Dinosaur videos, Main Page, Press Releases, Product Reviews|0 Comments

The Dinosaur Toy Forum – Votes on Prehistoric Animal Models

Those discerning model collectors and prehistoric animal enthusiasts at The Dinosaur Toy Forum have voted on their top ten replicas that were introduced in 2015. This eclectic group of knowledgeable collectors have weighed up the merits of the 2015 releases and after much debate and discussion a definitive top ten has been produced. To be included in the survey, a figure had to have been released in 2015 and we at Everything Dinosaur were informed of the results and kindly sent a short video by The Forum administrators which showcases those models that made the list.

Top Prehistoric Animal Models of 2015

The Top Ten Prehistoric Animal Models of 2015

Video credit: The Dinosaur Toy Forum

The Poll Winners Ten to the Runner Up Position

A poll for the best prehistoric animal models of 2015.

Voted the best models of 2015 by Dino Toy Forum members.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Top Ten

Key

10. The Schleich World of History Kentrosaurus

9. The Rebor 1:35 scale Acrocanthosaurus replica (Hercules)

8. The Wild Safari Dinos Nasutoceratops model (Safari Ltd)

7. The CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Spinosaurus

6. The Wild Safari Dinos Yutyrannus model (Safari Ltd)

5. The CollectA 1:40 scale feathered T. rex replica

4. The Papo baby Apatosaurus

3. The Battat Terra T. rex replica

2. The CollectA Supreme Guidraco 1.5 scale model

And the Winner is – The Wild Safari Dinos Sauropelta Dinosaur Model

Sauropelta wins the favourite prehistoric animal model of 2015 award.

Voted the favourite prehistoric animal model of 2015.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models

All the top ten models, including the Battat Terra Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur figure are available from Everything Dinosaur, we stock one of the widest ranges of prehistoric animal models in the world.

To see the huge range of prehistoric animal models available at Everything Dinosaur: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

The Sauropelta replica, part of the Wild Safari Dinos model range manufactured by Safari Ltd is a deserved winner, in fact this is the second award that this particular replica has won. In January 2016, Everything Dinosaur reported on the results of similar poll from the readers of the “Prehistoric Times” magazine. In that survey, the Wild Safari Dinos Sauropelta came out joint top with the 2015 re-modelled Spinosaurus replicas by CollectA, to read a short article about the magazine’s survey: Congratulations to Safari Ltd and CollectA.

Congratulations to Safari Ltd

Commenting on the results from The Dinosaur Toy Forum poll, a spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated:

“The Forum members certainly know their prehistoric animal replicas and the top ten from this survey shows the broad range of excellent quality prehistoric animal models that are currently available. The Guidraco Supreme pterosaur model is a worthy runner up but there is no disputing the winner, our congratulations to Safari Ltd for their Sauropelta figure.”

If these ten figures as voted for by The Dinosaur Toy Forum members are anything to go by then the prehistoric animal model making industry is in a very healthy state. We look forward to hearing which of the many dinosaur figures introduced this year will be voted number one by the prestigious Dinosaur Toy Forum.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.

Our thanks to The Dinosaur Toy Forum administration team for sharing this information with Everything Dinosaur.

5 06, 2016

Kulindadromeus Gets Its Coat of Feathers

By Mike|2023-04-30T22:13:48+01:00June 5th, 2016|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

Reconstructing the Feathered Kulindadromeus zabaikalicus

The remarkable Kulindadromeus (K. zabaikalicus), the earliest known member of the Ornithischia (bird-hipped dinosaurs), to have been feathered has been reconstructed as part of a dinosaur exhibition currently on display in Japan. The beautifully made, life-size model of this early Middle Jurassic herbivore will provide visitors with an opportunity to see for themselves how some of the Ornithischia evolved into feathered forms. Kulindadromeus suggests that perhaps, the majority of dinosaurs, not just the theropods were covered in a coat of feathers.

Kulindadromeus Model

A Life Size Model of Kulindadromeus zabaikalicus

A scale model of the feathered dinosaur Kulindadromeus.

A 1:1 scale model of Kulindadromeus.

Picture credit: T. Hubin/RBINS

It was back in the summer of 2014 that Everything Dinosaur reported upon the discovery of an extensive bone-bed that preserved the fossilised remains of a number of specimens of this dinosaur. The rocks represent strata that was laid down sometime between 175 and 160 million years ago (Middle Jurassic Period).

To read an article by Everything Dinosaur on the discovery of Kulindadromeus: Did All Dinosaurs Have Feathers?

The Kulindadromeus fossil material comes from a site on the banks of the River Olov in the TransBaikal region of Siberia. Dr Pascal Godefroit (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences), one of the scientists responsible for naming this little, one-metre-long dinosaur back in 2014, has commissioned the reconstruction of a life-sized model of this feathered animal along with a replica of its skeleton.

A Model of the Skeleton of Kulindadromeus

A replica of the skeleton of Kulindadromeus.

A model of the Kulindadromeus skeleton.

Picture credit: T. Hubin/RBINS

Kulindadromeus was very probably bipedal and it may have lived in flocks, just like many birds do today, but it was not very closely related to Aves (birds). It had filamentous structures covering most of its body, including its head, chest and neck. The more complex feather-like structures were restricted to the upper arms and the top of the legs, an arrangement of feathers found in many fossils of small theropod dinosaurs excavated from Lower Cretaceous strata in the famous Lioaning Province of China. The long tail, that made up at least forty percent of the animal’s entire length may have been completely devoid of feathers, just covered in scales, giving this dinosaur a “rat-tailed” appearance.

Kulindadromeus Could Not Fly

Standing around sixty centimetres high at the hips, this fast-running dinosaur could not fly. Instead, the feathers probably served as insulation to help keep this active, little animal warm.

Visitors Will Get the Chance to Look into the Eyes of Kulindadromeus

A life-size replica of the dinosaur Kulindadromeus from Siberia.

Kulindadromeus life-size replica.

Picture credit: T. Hubin/RBINS

Fossils of this curious dinosaur were uncovered in a series of field expeditions between 2010 and 2013, one of the leading researchers was Dr Sofia Sinitsa (Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology) from the Siberian city of Chita. When the discovery of Kulindadromeus was announced, it led to wide speculation that all dinosaurs could have possessed some form of integumental covering. Currently, Dr Maria McNamara of Cork University (Ireland), is working on a study of the microstructure of the animal’s “proto-feathers”. A scientific paper detailing this research is due to be published soon.

Commenting on the significance of Kulindadromeus, Dr Godefroit stated:

“It is a big discovery. It has completely changed our vision of dinosaurs. The animal had a short snout, long hind legs, short arms and five strong fingers. It had reptile-like scales on its tail and shins, with short bristles on its head and back.”

Hundreds of Bones Excavated

During the course of the summer expeditions, the joint Belgian-Russian team excavated a vast amount of Kulindadromeus fossil material, as well as insect and plant fossil remains.

Kulindadromeus Fossil Material from the River Olov Site

Preserved Kulindadromeus bones in a volcanic ash deposit.

Kulindadromeus fossil material.

Picture credit: T. Hubin/RBINS, V. Shevchenko

In the field photograph of one of the fossil slabs from the dig site (above), Kulindadromeus bones can be made out in the bottom right hand corner of the piece of rock. Danielle Dhouailly, an expert on bird feathers from the Universite Joseph Fourier in La Tronche (France) explained:

“The feathers look like down feathers from some modern chickens. When we compare them with the leg scales, it looks as if the scales are aborted feathers, an idea that has been suggested to explain why modern birds also have scaly, bare legs.”

On Display at the Tokyo National Museum of Nature and Sciences

The wonderful Kulindadromeus replica is currently being displayed at the Tokyo National Museum of Nature and Sciences.

Dr Pascal Godefroit added:

“I was really amazed when I saw this. We knew that some of the plant-eating ornithischian dinosaurs had simple bristles and we couldn’t be sure whether these were the same kinds of structures as bird and theropod feathers. Our new find clinches it, all dinosaurs had feathers, or at least the potential to sprout feathers.”

The discovery of Kulindadromeus and the identification of feathered ornithischians raises the tantalising possibility that the common ancestor of both the Theropoda and the ornithischian dinosaurs, which might have lived more than 235 million years ago, may have been covered in feathers.

5 06, 2016

You’ve Never Seen a Dinosaur Like This Before

By Mike|2023-04-30T22:04:00+01:00June 5th, 2016|General Teaching|Comments Off on You’ve Never Seen a Dinosaur Like This Before

A Feathered Middle Jurassic Plant-eater – Kulindadromeus

A team of international scientists have created a life-size model of the dinosaur they named and described two years ago. The dinosaur, called Kulindadromeus (pronounced cull-lind-ah-dro-me-us), was only around one metre in length. It was quite small, when most people think of dinosaurs as being huge animals. Size is not everything when it comes to the dinosaurs. As Kulindadromeus represents a member of the bird-hipped group of dinosaurs and fossil evidence suggest that this little reptile had feathers.

Kulindadromeus

A Model of the Plant-eating Dinosaur Kulindadromeus

A 1:1 scale model of Kulindadromeus.

Picture credit: T. Hubin/RBINS

Important Fossil Discovery

Many hundreds of fossils of this herbivorous dinosaur were found by field expeditions to a site on the river Olov in Siberia (Russia). It was from these fossils that scientists were able to work out that this dinosaur ran around on its two hind legs, that it had five toes on each foot, a beak, a long scaly tail and most importantly of all, that it had feathers on its body. The largest feathers seem to be confined to the top of the legs and arms with another set of feathers protruding from the animal’s rump.

Some of the Extensive Fossil Material Collected by the Palaeontologists

A vast amount of fossil material was collected.

Picture credit: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences

A Middle Jurassic Dinosaur

The fossil material comes from finely grained sedimentary rocks that were laid down in the Middle Jurassic (between 175 and 160 million years ago). The joint Russian and Belgian field team also found plant and insect fossils. The strata represents a watery, lakeside environment that had horsetail plants growing in the shallow lake margins. A number of Kulindadromeus individuals have been identified from the fossil remains and by studying the fossil material, the scientists have been able to build up an accurate picture of what this dinosaur actually looked like.

The life-size replica and a model of the skeleton of Kulindadromeus (shown below), is currently on display at a museum in Japan.

A Model of the Skeleton of Kulindadromeus

A model of the Kulindadromeus skeleton.

Picture credit: T. Hubin/RBINS

Many scientists have concluded that one group of dinosaurs the theropods, a group that consisted of mainly meat-eating dinosaurs were feathered. The theropods were lizard-hipped dinosaurs, the discovery of Kulindadromeus suggests that bird-hipped dinosaurs were also probably covered in feathers.

4 06, 2016

High Rise Archaeology Identified with New Technology

By Mike|2024-05-06T06:43:52+01:00June 4th, 2016|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Main Page|0 Comments

Pioneering Scans of Prehistoric Paintings

Researchers from the University of York (Yorkshire, northern England), have carried out a series of pioneering scans of the highest prehistoric paintings known from Europe. Working at a fraction under 7,000 feet above sea level (2,133 metres), the team have been studying the rock art of Abri Faravel, a crude rock shelter discovered five years ago in the southern French Alps. The team used car batteries to power laser and white-light scanners in order to examine the ancient artworks.

Prehistoric Paintings

The Abri Faravel Rock Art

Rock Paintints at Abri Faravel (south-eastern France).

The paintings at the Abri Faravel. Two groups of roughly parallel lines, and two animals facing one another.

Picture credit: C. Defrasne

The picture above shows (left) a photograph of the rock art taken in normal light and (right) a closer view of the paintings – colours enhanced with DStretch with the YBR matrix.

From the Mesolithic to the Middle Ages

Writing in the open access, online journal “Internet Archaeology”, the team confirm that the rock shelter, located in the Parc National des Écrins, has seen phases of human activity since the Mesolithic up to Medieval times. The rock paintings are the highest (in terms of altitude) painted representations of animals known from the continent.

The Site of the Abri Faravel Rock Shelter Location

View and situation of the Abri Faravel from the south-east – location of the Abri Faravel indicated with an arrow.

Picture credit: Loïc Damelet, CNRS/Centre Camille Jullian

The white arrow, to the left of the centre of the photograph marks the location of the Abri Faravel rock shelter.

The Abri Faravel Rock Shelter

The Abri Faravel research forms part of a wider collaborative project between archaeologists from the University of York and colleagues from the Centre Camille Jullian, Aix-en-Provence, France. The long-running study had investigated the development of human activity over the last 8,000 years or so at a high altitude. Scientists have excavated a series of stone animal enclosures and human dwellings that date from the Bronze Age. However, older artefacts have been found, including Mesolithic and Neolithic flint tools as well as hand-thrown Iron Age pottery, a brooch dated to Roman times and some metalwork dating from the Middle Ages.

The paintings are regarded as the most unique feature of this site. They reveal a story of human habitation and activity from the Mesolithic to the Post-Medieval period.

The project leader, Dr Kevin Walsh (Senior Lecturer in York’s Department of Archaeology), commented:

“After years of research in this valley, the day we discovered these paintings was undeniably the highlight of the research programme. Whilst we thought that we might discover engravings, such as in the Vallée des Merveilles to the south-east, we never expected to find prehistoric paintings in this exposed area that affords so few natural shelters.”

Researchers Study the Rock Art by Taking a Series of Scans

Conducting the white-light scan of the rock art.

Picture credit: Dr K. Walsh

High Rise Archaeology

Dr Walsh went onto say:

“As this site is so unusual, we made the decision to carry out a laser-scan of the rock shelter and the surrounding landscape, plus a white-light scan of the actual paintings. The scanning was logistically complex as our only source of electricity was car batteries, which, along with all of the scanning equipment, had to be carried up to the site. This is the only example of virtual models, including a scan of the art, done at high altitude in the Alps and probably the highest virtual model of an archaeological landscape in Europe.”

A Polished Neolithic Stone Axe Found Close to the Site

Neolithic stone axe found near to the Faravel rock shelter.

Neolithic polished stone axe found close to the Abri Faravel rock shelter.

Picture credit: Guillaume Contini

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the help of the University of York in the compilation of this article.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Visit Everything Dinosaur.

3 06, 2016

A Beautiful Dinosaur Diorama “Jurassic Giants”

By Mike|2024-05-06T06:44:19+01:00June 3rd, 2016|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page|0 Comments

“Jurassic Giants of the Western World”

At Everything Dinosaur we always enjoy seeing how model collectors have used the prehistoric animal models that they have purchased from our website. We get sent lots of photographs of dinosaur themed dioramas and we enjoy looking at these pictures, we really appreciate the effort and skill that goes into such model making activities. Take for example, the work of Robert Townsend, he has built a thirteen-foot-long model landscape that depicts life in the Late Jurassic. With Stegosaurus, Torvosaurus, Ceratosaurus and a plethora of sauropods installed into the sweeping panorama, we would suggest that the model depicts life on Earth around 150 million years ago.

“Jurassic Giants of the Western World”

A splendid Late Jurassic diorama.

Picture credit: Robert Townsend

Prehistoric Animal Models

Robert has carefully planned his prehistoric landscape, it is a marvellous interpretation of the flora and fauna associated with a famous fossil location such as the Morrison Formation of the western United States. In fact, Robert has entitled his model “Jurassic Giants of the Western World”, as indeed, during this time in the Late Jurassic, continental North America was dominated by giant mega-herbivores such as Diplodocus, Camarasaurus, Brontosaurus and Apatosaurus.

Sauropods Dominate in this Dinosaur Diorama

A group of sauropods feeding.

Picture credit: Robert Townsend

These long-necked dinosaurs in turn shared their world with a range of ornithischian dinosaurs such as the spectacular stegosaurs and the rapidly diversifying Ornithopoda that would, one day, come to dominate plant-eating dinosaur populations.

A Colourful Stegosaurus Searching for Something to Eat

A Stegosaurus diorama by Robert Townsend.

Picture credit: Robert Townsend

Stegosaurus and Sauropods

We like the way that this Stegosaurus model has been posed in the background, behind the foliage, this helps to support the feeling of depth and perspective in this dinosaur diorama. A useful tip for all model makers is to try to create different points of interest within the scene that they are creating. For example, on the left side of the landscape, a Diplodocus mother and baby encounter a crocodile down by the river (see photograph below). The choice of foliage helps to enhance the view and draws the eye to what could be a dangerous moment in the life of a young sauropod.

Meeting a Crocodile Down by the River

Diplodocus mother and baby encounter a crocodile.

Picture credit: Robert Townsend

Creating a Sense of Scale in the Diorama

The Camptosaurus model provides a scale to the larger Brachiosaur replica.

A Brachiosaurus (background) and a Camptosaurus (foreground).

Picture credit: Robert Townsend

For dinosaur models and prehistoric animal figures: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

CollectA and Carnegie Replicas

A sense of scale can be created by combining various models. In the photograph above, Robert has used a CollectA Camptosaurus replica in the foreground to help to emphasise the size and scale of the Carnegie Brachiosaurus which has been placed directly behind it.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“This is a fascinating dinosaur diorama, which has been a real labour of love for Robert. Not only has he taken a great deal of care in the layout of his prehistoric scene but he has endeavoured to reflect the fauna and flora that existed during a specific geological age, which from a palaeontological perspective, really elevates this model landscape.”

A Window Into a Prehistoric World

A proper plaque for a prehistoric landscape diorama.

The prehistoric scene has a plaque.

Picture credit: Robert Townsend

UK-based Robert has even added a plaque to his four-metre-long model display, our thanks to him for sharing pictures of his creation.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

2 06, 2016

Important Rebor Replica News for Fans and Collectors

By Mike|2024-04-19T06:20:25+01:00June 2nd, 2016|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

Rebor Dinosaur Model News – Summer 2016

Email Everything Dinosaur here to reserve your models: Email Everything Dinosaur or checkout the article below for more Rebor dinosaur model information.

Rebor Dinosaur Model News

Exciting news for the fans of the Rebor replica series as there are going to be a number of new additions to the Rebor range coming into stock at Everything Dinosaur within the next two weeks. Firstly, not one but two Compsognathus model sets. Compsognathus, was one of the first complete dinosaur skeletons ever found. It is actually known from two specimens, one discovered in Germany in the late 1850s and one found in France in 1971. Hence, Rebor are introducing two Compsognathus sets, in honour of the two specimens.

Available from Everything Dinosaur Mid June – SENTRY!

The Rebor replica Sentry (Compsognathus).

Rebor Compsognathus – Sentry.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A Flock of Compsognathus Models

Also launched at the same time is a set of four Compsognathus models entitled “BAD COMPANY”, these too will be available from Everything Dinosaur in mid June.

The Rebor Compsognathus Flock “BAD COMPANY”

Rebor “Bad Company” Compsognathus model set.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Our chums at Rebor tell us that the Compsognathus model in “Sentry” will be the same as one of the models in the “Bad Company” four pack. However, with the “Sentry” replica, customers will also receive a beautiful model of the ancient Late Jurassic dragon fly Protolindenia.

The Beautiful Rebor Protolindenia Dragonfly Model (Sentry model set) Compared to a Dragonfly Fossil

The Rebor Protolindenia model compared to a fossil dragonfly.

The Rebor Protolindenia model is part of the Rebor “Sentry” Compsognathus set.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To reserve a Rebor “Sentry” Compsognathus or to reserve a Rebor “Bad Company” model set, simply: Contact Everything Dinosaur by Email.

New Additions to the Rebor “Scout” Series

Say hello to “Breeze” a baby Utahraptor which is the latest addition to the very popular Rebor “Scout” series. This 1:35 scale replica of a Utahraptor (U. ostrommaysorum) will also be available from Everything Dinosaur around the middle of June.

The Rebor “Scout” Series Baby Utahraptor – “BREEZE”

REBOR 1:35 baby Utahraptor museum class replica nicknamed “Breeze”.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Continuing the dromaeosaurid theme, as “Stan” the baby Velociraptor model will also be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in a couple of weeks or so. This model is also from the Rebor “Scout” series and it is a 1:18 scale museum quality model of a Velociraptor youngster.

The Rebor “Scout” Series Baby Velociraptor “STAN”

“Stan” the baby Velociraptor model from Rebor.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To see any or all of these models (the Rebor “Sentry”, “Bad Company” or the Scout series “Breeze” or the baby Velociraptor “Stan”, or to view the rest of the Rebor model range: Rebor Prehistoric Animal Models and Figures.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.