2022 | Everything Dinosaur Blog

25 05, 2022

Argentina’s Amazing “Dragon of Death” is Described

By Mike|2024-12-31T10:19:52+00:00May 25th, 2022|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Researchers have named the largest pterosaur found to date in South America. The giant Thanatosdrakon (T. amaru) is estimated to have had a wingspan of around nine metres and it would have stood as tall as a giraffe.

Writing in the academic journal “Cretaceous Research”, the scientists, have assigned Thanatosdrakon to the Azhdarchidae family of pterosaurs and postulate that it was closely related to the slightly larger and geologically younger Quetzalcoatlus, fossils of which are known from North America.

The paratype fossil a giant left humerus (UNCUYO-LD 350) is carefully cleaned at the dig site. Picture credit: Reuters/ICB-CONICET/UNCUYO.

Picture credit: Reuters/ICB-CONICET/UNCUYO

One of the Largest Flying Vertebrates Known

The fossil material, thought to represent two individual pterosaurs was found in the upper-most levels of the Plottier Formation (upper Coniacian–lower Santonian, Neuquén Basin), Mendoza, western Argentina. The researchers, who include CONICET* researcher Dr Leonardo Ortiz David, Dr Bernardo González Riga, director of the Laboratory and Museum of Dinosaurs of the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences and world-renowned pterosaur expert Dr Alexander Kellner (Director of the National Museum of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), estimate that Thanatosdrakon lived around 86 million years ago. Based on the single, huge left humerus of the paratype (UNCUYO-LD 350), a wingspan of around 9 metres is proposed, making Thanatosdrakon amaru one of the largest flying vertebrates known to science.

Comparing the estimated wingspans of the paratype and holotype fossil material associated with Thanatosdrakon amaru with large, extant birds. Picture credit: ICB-CONICET/UNCUYO.

Picture credit: Reuters/ICB-CONICET/UNCUYO

Exceptionally Preserved Fossils

A civil construction project had uncovered some of the fossils. A field team was despatched to map the site and to recover the exceptionally well-preserved bones. The fossil material consists of vertebrae and bones from the limbs. As the larger humerus was found in close proximity to the other fossils, the scientists have speculated that this huge animal was social and probably lived in flocks.

Thanatosdrakon is the oldest taxon of the clade Quetzalcoatlinae so far described. As the strata containing the fossil bones represent deposition in a floodplain environment with ephemeral meandering streams and rivers, the researchers conclude that like the much later Quetzalcoatlus, Thanatosdrakon inhabited continental, inland areas.

Skeletal reconstructions of Thanatosdrakon amaru. The holotype fossil material (UNCUYO-LD 307) and the left humerus paratype (UNCUYO-LD 350). Picture credit: ICB-CONICET/UNCUYO.

Picture credit: Reuters/ICB-CONICET/UNCUYO

Important Information on Azhdarchid Anatomy

The fossils are not distorted or flattened to any great degree. Their three-dimensional preservation will help the researchers to learn more about the anatomy of giant pterosaurs. In addition, some of the fossil bones such as the dorsosacral vertebrae and caudal vertebra along with the notarium (the structure formed by fusion of the dorsal vertebrae, seen in pterosaurs and birds), have never been described in giant azhdarchids. The researchers expect that further study of these bones will provide important information on azhdarchid anatomy. Hopefully, new fossil finds will provide more information on the Azhdarchidae.

The “Dragon of Death”

This large pterosaur probably hunted on the ground, perhaps stalking prey in a similar manner to the marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer) which is found in sub-Saharan Africa. The genus name is derived from the Greek words thanatos which means death and drakon (dragon). The species name honours the Inca winged serpent (Amaru).

CONICET* (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas [National Council for Scientific and Technical Research of Argentina]).

The scientific paper: “Thanatosdrakon amaru, gen. et sp. nov., a giant azhdarchid pterosaur from the Upper Cretaceous of Argentina” by Leonardo D. Ortiz David, Bernardo J. González Riga and Alexander W. A. Kellner published in the journal Cretaceous Research.

24 05, 2022

New Rebor Oddities “Extinction” Figures

By Mike|2024-12-31T10:13:44+00:00May 24th, 2022|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Rebor has announced that they will be producing two, limited-edition prehistoric animal replicas in their Oddities series. The Rebor Oddities “Extinction” Renaissance Bronze and the Rebor Oddities “Extinction” Victorian Neoclassical Marble figures should be available in the autumn (2022).

Everything Dinosaur is offering customers the chance to join their no obligation, no deposit to pay, priority waitlist for these two innovative and highly original dinosaur models: Contact Everything Dinosaur for Information About Dinosaur Models.

Rebor Oddities "Extinction" Renaissance Bronze

Rebor Oddities “Extinction” Velociraptor.

The Rebor Oddities Range

Rebor produces a wide range of figures and collectibles. The Rebor Oddities range consists of limited-edition, unusual and original items. These figures generally, only have one production run. When the stock from the first run is sold out, then it is the usual practice for these items to be retired and withdrawn. Joining the Rebor Oddities “Extinction” Renaissance in the bronze colour scheme will be a second figure, the Rebor Oddities “Extinction” Victorian Neoclassical Marble.

Rebor Oddities "Extinction" Victorian Neoclassical Marble

Rebor Oddities “Extinction” Velociraptor in neoclassical marble.

Rebor Oddities “Extinction” Renaissance Bronze

The clever and talented design team at Rebor draw inspiration for their models and figures from several sources. The Velociraptor is contemplating a human skull which is held in its right hand. It is sat on a chair that is composed of numerous volumes representing a diverse collection of the world’s literature.

Views of the Rebor Velociraptor “Extinction” figure in the bronze colour scheme.

These collector’s items remind us of Auguste Rodin’s famous sculpture “The Thinker”, also referred to as “Le Penseur”. It depicts a naked male figure perched on a stone pedestal. This famous statue was part of a larger commission entitled “The Gates of Hell” based on “The Divine Comedy” by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri. This book “The Divine Comedy” is one of the volumes upon which the Velociraptor is perched.

A Velociraptor studying a human skull.

Rebor Oddities “Extinction” Victorian Neoclassical Marble

The Rebor Oddities “Extinction” Victorian Neoclassical Marble has a different finish to “Bronze”, both models are essentially the same detailed sculpt. The two figures measure 23 cm long, stand 13 cm high and are 10.5 cm wide.

Rebor Velociraptor Figure (neoclassical marble).

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“These are two fascinating, original and highly creative figures, which have been skilfully made and we congratulate Rebor for pushing the boundaries when it comes to prehistoric animal replicas.”

To learn more about the range of prehistoric animal figures available from Everything Dinosaur: Contact Everything Dinosaur.

To see the range of Rebor models currently in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Rebor Models and Figures.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys.

23 05, 2022

The Remarkable Prehistoric Planet – A New Television Series

By Mike|2024-12-31T09:53:47+00:00May 23rd, 2022|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Movie Reviews and Movie News, Photos, Press Releases|0 Comments

Tonight, sees the first episode of the stunning documentary series “Prehistoric Planet” being aired on Apple TV+. Five programmes will be shown over the next five nights, each one at around forty minutes in length, will focus on a different habitat, starting this evening with “coasts”. Subsequent programmes will look at the prehistoric ecosystems associated with deserts, freshwater, the polar dinosaurs (ice worlds) and the series concludes with an episode entitled “forests”.

The television series “Prehistoric Planet” starts on May 23rd (2022). The programmes are narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Picture credit: Apple TV.

Picture credit: Apple TV

We at Everything Dinosaur would like to congratulate all those involved in this astonishing series that has been a decade in the making.

Enjoy.

22 05, 2022

The Remarkable Dzharaonyx eski – “Old Dzharakuduk Claw”

By Mike|2024-12-31T09:51:14+00:00May 22nd, 2022|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles, Photos/Pictures of Fossils|0 Comments

Earlier this spring, a new taxon of alvarezsaurid theropod was described from well-preserved, postcranial remains found in Uzbekistan. The little dinosaur, measuring less than half a metre long, has been named Dzharaonyx eski, which translates as “old Dzharakuduk claw”.

The cat-sized alvarezsaurid theropod Dzharaonyx eski from the Late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan. It is regarded as the geologically oldest member of the Parvicursorinae.

From the Bissekty Formation

Writing in the academic “Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology”, the researchers, including Hans-Dieter Sues (Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.), describe this cat-sized theropod based on bones from the spine including dorsal and caudal vertebrae, limb bones, parts of the pelvis and bones from the hand including the iconic, robust alvarezsaurid claws.

Dzharaonyx eski a new taxon of alvarezsaurid from the Late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan. Picture credit: Averianov and Sues.

Picture credit: Averianov and Sues

The fossils come from the Bissekty Formation (Upper Cretaceous, Turonian faunal stage) and D. eski is estimated to have lived around 91-92 million years ago. The dinosaur was named after the type locality (Dzharakuduk in south-central Uzbekistan). The species name “eski” is derived from the Uzbek word for “old”.

Pronounced Zar-ah-ra-on-niks es-key, a phylogenetic analysis of this newly described taxon places it within the alvarezsaurid subfamily the Parvicursorinae alongside other Asian members of the Alvarezsauridae such as Parvicursor (P. remotus) and Qiupanykus (Q. zhangi). Dzharaonyx eski is the oldest member of the Parvicursorinae known to science, it having lived at least 10 million years earlier than related species, fossils of which are confined to the Campanian and Maastrichtian faunal stages of the Late Cretaceous.

Remarkable Alvarezsaurids

Alvarezsaurids were highly specialised theropods, with a single, powerful hand claw adapted for tearing and digging. It is thought that these small maniraptoran dinosaurs fed on colonial insects such as termites.

The Alvarezsauridae family was erected in 1991 (Bonaparte). These long-legged theropods were once thought to be a lineage of flightless birds. Most palaeontologists consider them to be an early diverging branch of the Maniraptora. These dinosaurs tend to be both geographically and temporally widespread.

To read a blog post from 2021 about research into the evolution of the Alvarezsauridae: Miniature Alvarezsauroids Under the Spotlight.

Recently, another Asian member of the Parvicursorinae was described from partial, postcranial material from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) Barungoyot Formation in Mongolia. The alvarezsaurid has been named Ondogurvel alifanovi.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Dzharaonyx is a remarkable fossil discovery. It lived during the Turonian faunal stage of the Cretaceous. We look forward to more dinosaur discoveries from the famous Bissekty Formation.”

The scientific paper: “New material and diagnosis of a new taxon of alvarezsaurid (Dinosauria, Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous Bissekty Formation of Uzbekistan” by Alexander O. Averianov and Hans-Dieter Sues published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

The award-wining Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Models and Toys.

21 05, 2022

New Mary Anning Statue Unveiled at Lyme Regis

By Mike|2024-12-31T09:34:46+00:00May 21st, 2022|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Educational Activities, Famous Figures, Main Page, Photos|1 Comment

A statue commemorating the life and work of the pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning has been unveiled in her hometown of Lyme Regis. Mary Anning (1799 – 1847), made some remarkable fossil discoveries along Dorset’s “Jurassic Coast”, although during her lifetime, her contribution to the nascent sciences of geology and palaeontology was not fully recognised.

The statue, created by artist and sculptress Denise Dutton, is placed on the seafront close to the sea defences, permitting Mary a view of Lyme Bay and the cliffs and shoreline that she explored with her brother Joseph as a child. During her lifetime she made several highly significant fossil discoveries in the Lower Jurassic marine beds, including the first ichthyosaur specimens to be scientifically studied, plesiosaurs and the first pterosaur fossil to be found outside Germany.

The unveiling of the Mary Anning statue at Lyme Regis (Dorset)

The statue commemorating the life and work of Mary Anning is unveiled. Picture credit: Mary Anning Rocks.

Picture credit: Mary Anning Rocks

Mary Anning Rocks

Young Evie Swire was the inspiration behind the charity Mary Anning Rocks, when she enquired on returning from a fossil hunting trip at Lyme Regis “why isn’t there a statue to Mary?” A fund-raising campaign was organised and on what would have been Mary’s 223rd birthday, Evie, now a teenager and her fellow campaigners unveiled the beautiful statue commemorating a key figure in the history of the Earth Sciences.

Mary Anning statue unveiled at Lyme Regis

Crowds flocked to see the unveiling of the new statue of Mary Anning unveiled, some people even dressed up like Mary. Picture credit: Mary Anning Rocks.

Picture credit: Mary Anning Rocks

Supporting and Celebrating the Role of Women in the Sciences

Everything Dinosaur was one of the first organisations from outside Lyme Regis to back the campaign and to help raise awareness. Since the charity’s inception, Everything Dinosaur has helped to promote and support the fundraising.

Mary Anning’s discoveries in the 19th Century helped shape scientific understanding of prehistoric life, but her work was never properly credited due to the fact that she was a woman and because of her lowly social status. A large crowd turned out for the unveiling, and team members at Everything Dinosaur are looking forward to one day soon returning to Lyme Regis and paying our respects to Mary Anning and her statue.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We did so want to be there at the unveiling. The statue of Mary is not only a tribute to her, but it also helps to raise awareness of and celebrate the role of women in the sciences.”

A close-view of the Mary Anning statue which was created by leading artist and sculptress Denise Dutton. Mary is holding an ammonite fossil in her left hand. Picture credit: Mary Anning Rocks.

Picture credit: Mary Anning Rocks

Anya Pearson one of the hard-working trustees of the Mary Anning Rocks charity exclaimed:

“It was a monumental day for a monumental Woman – At last!!!”

Our congratulations to all those people who have worked so hard to ensure that Mary Anning can be honoured in this way.

Commemorating the Life and Work of Mary Anning

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“The statue is wonderful way to commemorate the life and work of Mary Anning. We congratulate all those people who helped to bring this about. It will do a lot to boost the profile of Lyme Regis and the Dorset coast. The Mary Anning statue will attract a lot of visitors to the area.”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Figures.

21 05, 2022

The “Prehistoric Secret Science Show” at Wollaton Hall (Nottingham)

By Mike|2024-12-31T09:03:02+00:00May 21st, 2022|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Educational Activities, General Teaching, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

Those enthusiastic scientists and educationalists at Wollaton Hall (Nottingham), are hosting an exclusive “Prehistoric Secret Science Show” on Tuesday 24th May, 2022 (4.30pm to 8.45pm). It will feature a veritable cornucopia of talks, presentations and workshops plus the chance to meet professionals engaged in current scientific research on Tyrannosaurus rex!

Prehistoric Secret Science Show at Wollaton Hall (Nottingham).

An Exclusive Event

Organised by those dedicated and talented members of Nottingham City Museum’s Learning and Education team, this evening event “Prehistoric Secret Science Show”, will showcase a range of speakers from the University of Birmingham, Rutland Water Nature Reserve and the University of Nottingham. Palaeontologist Dr Adam Smith (Nottingham Museum’s Curator of Natural Sciences), a world authority on Mesozoic marine reptiles will also be presenting.

Titus T. rex is King in secret science show.

Those enthusiastic scientists at Wollaton Hall (Nottingham) are hosting an exclusive “Prehistoric Secret Science Show” which will feature a tour of the “Titus” T. rex is King exhibition as well as chance to meet some of the scientists currently studying this iconic dinosaur.

Natural Science and Dinosaurs

This exclusive event is ideal for anyone interested in prehistoric life, palaeontology, Natural Science and dinosaurs, it has been especially designed for children at upper primary or secondary school, college, university and adults. It looks set to be an interesting evening that covers a wide range of topics, plus gives everyone the opportunity to meet “Titus” the Tyrannosaurus rex exhibit too!

Event Details

Date: Tuesday 24th May (2022)

Location: Wollaton Hall (Nottingham)

Entry: 4.30pm

Event ends: 8.45pm

Ticket Prices – Adult: £15 Ticket Prices – Child £10

Schools and other large groups have one free adult per ten children with additional adults at the usual £15. Contact the event organisers for more information.

Event is open to all ages, including children at secondary school, college, university and adults. It is aimed especially for children over ten years old, although anyone with a keen interest in dinosaurs would be welcome.

Free entry for carers when accompanying a paid ticket. Please note car parking charges apply.

Please note this event has now finished.

For dinosaurs and other prehistoric animal figures, visit: Dinosaur Toys and Models.

20 05, 2022

Beautiful Zhenyuanlong suni Reconstruction

By Mike|2024-12-31T06:53:09+00:00May 20th, 2022|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawings, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, TV Reviews|0 Comments

As we await the first episode of the exciting Apple TV + series “Prehistoric Planet” with its cornucopia of feathered dinosaurs we thought we would post up one of our favourite dromaeosaur illustrations – Zhenyuanlong suni by Zhao Chuang.

Very probably a ground-dwelling predator. Named and described in 2015 (Lü and Brusatte), Z. suni is one of several dromaeosaurs that have been named and described from fossils found in Liaoning Province. Picture credit: Zhao Chuang.

Picture credit: Zhao Chuang

Dromaeosaurs a Plenty

The five-part documentary television series “Prehistoric Planet” will feature a variety of small, feathered dinosaurs including troodontids and dromaeosaurs. These animals will not be shown tackling large prey but reflecting behaviour as inferred by the fossil record and seen in their living, close relatives the birds.

Viewers can expect to see many of the prehistoric animals that have been so beautifully illustrated by the incredibly talented Chinese artist Zhao Chuang brought to life thanks to ground-breaking CGI and state-of-the-art puppetry.

For models and replicas of dromaeosaurs including articulated models of Zhenyuanlong suni (whilst stocks last): Beasts of the Mesozoic Models and Figures.

Lots of Feathered Dinosaurs

Steve Brusatte, (School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh), a co-author of the scientific paper describing Z. suni, is one of the scientific consultants involved in the BBC/Apple TV + documentary series. Viewers can expect to see plenty of feathered dinosaurs, although Zhenyuanlong suni will not feature.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“The five television programmes will focus on different ecosystems that flourished during the Late Cretaceous. Whilst there are many genera of small, feathered dinosaurs including numerous troodontid and dromaeosaurid taxa featured in the programmes, Zhenyuanlong suni lived during the Early Cretaceous. It had been extinct for tens of millions of years prior to the time in which these programmes are set.”

To read Everything Dinosaur’s original blog post announcing the discovery of a large-bodied dromaeosaur from the famous Liaoning Province of China: New Winged Dragon from Liaoning Province.

Zhenyuanlong suni Scientific Paper

The scientific paper: “A large, short-armed, winged dromaeosaurid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Early Cretaceous of China and its implications for feather evolution” by Junchang Lü and Stephen L. Brusatte published in the journal Scientific Reports.

19 05, 2022

Looking at the New Mordred (Nanmu Studio)

By Mike|2024-12-30T18:55:02+00:00May 19th, 2022|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases|8 Comments

Team members at Everything Dinosaur have been looking at the new Nanmu Studio Mordred figures whilst they await details of CE and UKCA certification from the manufacturer. Today, we are posting up some pictures of these remarkable replicas sent to us by the clever design team at Nanmu Studio.

The four Nanmu Studio Mordred figures namely top left Mordred green with base and accessories – the deluxe version (top right, centre) Mordred green standard version. The Mordred red/black version is bottom left whilst bottom right, centre is the red/black deluxe version with base and accessories. The fence accessory (sold separately) is also shown.

Nanmu Studio Mordred Figures

There are four figures to be offered, all produced in a single, one-time-only, limited production run. Nanmu Studio have also produced a fence accessory reminiscent of the security fences seen in the “Jurassic Park/Jurassic World” movie franchise. The Mordred portfolio consists of two colour variants both of which come in either the standard or a deluxe version that includes a display base and other accessories such as interchangeable horns, frills and spikes.

Nanmu Studio Mordred Portfolio

Nanmu Studio Mordred in green (172015)
The Nanmu Studio Mordred in green deluxe version with display base and accessories (172015DX)
Nanmu Studio Mordred red/black (172008)
Nanmu Studio Mordred red/black deluxe version with base and accessories (172008DX)

Mordred Model Measurements

Each of the Nanmu Studio Mordred figures measures around 43 cm in length and they stand approximately 20 cm high. When placed on a display base the model will be slightly taller. Each figure has declared scale of 1:35.

The red and black colour version of the new for 2022 Nanmu Studio Mordred figure. The manufacturer’s product code for this Nanmu Studio model is 172008.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“These are intriguing figures, and it is fantastic to see the mix of fantasy and palaeontology that has been deployed by Nanmu Studio to create these superbly detailed creatures. They remind us of the “Ultimasaurus”, a chimera created via hybridisation and genetic manipulation that is part of the movie franchise and related spin-offs back story.”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models.

Nanmu Studio green Mordred deluxe version.

The green colour variant Nanmu Studio Mordred figure with base (deluxe version – 172015DX).

“Ultimasaurus”

The “Ultimasaurus”, sometimes referred to as “Ultimatesaurus” is an amalgam of several different famous dinosaurs, a mixture of theropods and ornithischians. It allegedly combined the armour of the herbivorous dinosaurs Triceratops, Stegosaurus and Ankylosaurus with traits associated with Velociraptors and tyrannosaurs, most notably T. rex.

The deluxe version of this figure is supplied with a display base along with interchangeable horns, spikes and other elements of the model’s dermal armour.

The polystone base associated with the Nanmu Studio Mordred deluxe models.

The model will be made from a high grade of PVC whilst the display base will be formed from polystone.

Don’t Forget the Fence

Everything Dinosaur team members are also considering whether to import the security fence accessory that Nanmu Studio intend to manufacture. This fence accessory reminds us of the security fencing and barriers that formed the large dinosaur enclosures in the “Jurassic Park/Jurassic World” movie franchise.

The fence accessory from Nanmu Studio. The fence measures 35 cm long, stands 28 cm high and is around 8 cm wide. It represents a 1:35 scale model of the security fencing as seen in the “Jurassic Park/Jurassic World” movie franchise.

Your Opinions Please

What do you think of these figures from Nanmu Studio? Should Everything Dinosaur be stocking them? As always, we welcome feedback from our customers and blog readers.

To view the current range of Nanmu Studio prehistoric animal figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Nanmu Studio Models and Prehistoric Animal Figures.

18 05, 2022

Cheltenham Science Festival – “Here be Sea Dragons”

By Mike|2024-12-30T18:44:37+00:00May 18th, 2022|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Educational Activities, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

The 2022 Cheltenham Science Festival starts next month (7th – 12th June) and as always, this festival is jam-packed with amazing events, presentations and activities covering just about every aspect of the sciences. The Earth sciences are strongly represented once again this year and award-winning palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax will be delivering a talk entitled “Mary Anning and the Sea Dragons” at the centrally located Helix Theatre on the evening of the 8th June.

Dr Dean Lomax working on the skull of the Rutland ichthyosaur, the largest and most complete ichthyosaur fossil ever found in the UK. Picture credit: Matthew Power.

Picture credit: Matthew Power

Hic Sunt Dracones – “Here be Dragons”

The Latin expression “hic sunt dracones” which translates as “here be dragons”, was used by Medieval cartographers to highlight unexplored territories on maps or regions where monsters were thought to roam. Join Dr Lomax on a guided tour through 200 years of fossil discoveries, shedding light on the ichthyosaurs, those enigmatic “sea dragons” that thrived during the time of the dinosaurs.

In “Mary Anning and the Sea Dragons”, Dr Lomax, a recent recipient of the prestigious Halstead Award from the Geologists’ Association, tells the amazing story of these marvellous marine reptiles, from the first fossil discoveries and the work of Mary Anning right up to the latest research including the excavation of the monstrous “Rutland Sea Dragon”, led by Dr Dean. Described as one of the most important finds in British palaeontological history, this huge ten-metre-long specimen is the biggest and most complete ichthyosaur fossil ever found in the UK.

An aerial view of the Rutland ichthyosaur excavation site. Dr Dean Lomax provides the scale. Picture credit: Matthew Power.

Picture credit: Matthew Power

Following in the Footsteps of Mary Anning

Mary Anning was an extraordinary pioneering palaeontologist from Lyme Regis in Dorset. She discovered the first ichthyosaurs (or “sea dragons”) brought to the attention of science and helped to put the science of palaeontology firmly on the map. Palaeontologist, author and renowned expert on ichthyosaurs Dr Lomax has spent much of his illustrious career following in the footsteps of Mary Anning, even acting as a consultant for a short film about her exploits fittingly entitled “Sea Dragon” which will be shown as part of Dean’s presentation at the Helix Theatre (Wednesday, June 8th 5pm-6pm).

Dr Dean Lomax with ichthyosaur fossils on display at the Natural History Museum London. Picture credit: Dr Dean Lomax.

Picture credit: Dr Dean Lomax

Mary Anning and the “Sea Dragons”

Dean’s presentation – “Mary Anning and the Sea Dragons” is ideal for families and for children from seven years plus. Plot a course to the Helix Theatre for 5pm on June 8th to catch up with one of the UK’s leading scientists in the field of palaeontology.

The website of Dr Dean Lomax: Dr Dean Lomax – Palaeontologist.

A 21st Century Palaeontologist

Dr Lomax is currently involved with several important research programmes as well as media projects, and although he spends his working hours looking back into time, he is very much a 21st century palaeontologist with a passion for outreach work and science communication. Dean has recently written three books, reflecting his wide-ranging interests and engaging communication style.

As always, Dean will be happy to answer questions and to chat to any budding young palaeontologists, their parents and any fossil enthusiasts and he will be signing copies of his latest books – “Locked in Time”, “Prehistoric Pets” and “Dinosaurs Ten Things You Should Know”.

Dean has recently completed three books – “Locked in Time” (left) which is illustrated by Bob Nicholls. “Prehistoric Pets” (centre) and (right) “Dinosaurs 10 Things You Should Know”. Dr Lomax will be signing copies at this Cheltenham Festival Event.

Event Details

Event: Cheltenham Science Festival.
Presentation: Mary Anning and the “Sea Dragons” by Dr Dean Lomax.
Venue: Helix Theatre (located on the Cheltenham Science Festival site at Imperial Square, directly behind Cheltenham Town Hall).
Date: Wednesday June 8th.
Time: 5pm to 6pm (Ticket price £7.00)

Please note this event has taken place.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

17 05, 2022

A Beautiful Balloon Dinosaur

By Mike|2024-12-30T18:31:03+00:00May 17th, 2022|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page, Photos, Press Releases|0 Comments

What do you give a team member at Everything Dinosaur as a thank you gift for their help and assistance? A balloon dinosaur of course! We received a little thank you gift, a little token of appreciation after we provided assistance. This was a very kind, it was a lovely gesture, but we were just doing our job and trying to help where we could.

Balloon dinosaur given to Everything Dinosaur.

The dinosaur balloon given to an Everything Dinosaur team member, we appreciate the kind gesture and we are grateful to receive a green tyrannosaur in balloon form. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Our little green dinosaur is currently keeping us company in the office. The balloon Tyrannosaurus rex is keeping an eye on us as we prepare articles for the Everything Dinosaur blog and get the paperwork completed so that we can pack orders for Everything Dinosaur customers.

A close-up of the fearsome looking balloon Tyrannosaurus rex that was given to Everything Dinosaur. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys.