Everything Dinosaur team members wish all their blog readers a happy Halloween. Today is All Hallows’ Eve, a festive event celebrating spooks, ghouls, monsters and scary skeletons. We wish all our readers and social media followers a happy Halloween.
Can you spot the prehistoric animals? Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Happy Halloween from Everything Dinosaur
It seems fitting to post up a picture or two of dinosaur skeletons. Here is an image of a Triceratops skeleton from a dinosaur excavation kit.
A Triceratops skeleton dig kit. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Triceratops kit allows young palaeontologists to excavate a complete miniature Triceratops skeleton. The challenge is to dig the skeleton out of the plaster block using the special digging tools. The Triceratops skeleton excavation kit is supplied with an Everything Dinosaur Triceratops fact sheet.
A cast of a Triceratops skeleton on display at the Naturmuseum Senckenberg (Natural History Museum – Frankfurt). On the left a wall mounted example of a Plateosaurus can be seen. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
A spokesperson from the UK-based mail order company, wished all their social media followers, customers and blog readers a happy and safe Halloween.
Everything Dinosaur stocks the Haolonggood Ouranosaurus dinosaur model. However, do our models have the updated manus (hand)? Do the Everything Dinosaur Haolonggood Ouranosaurus figures possess the anatomically accurate hand?
Yes, they do, and team members set about creating a short YouTube video to proof it.
Everything Dinosaur’s short YouTube video confirming that their Haolonggood Ouranosaurus figures are the updated version, with the anatomically correct manus complete with thumb spike. Video credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Video credit: Everything Dinosaur
To view the range of Haolonggood prehistoric animal models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Haolonggood Dinosaur Models.
The Haolonggood Ouranosaurus Models
Both the green Ouranosaurus figure (WuJu) and the brown figure (WuWei) are in stock. In our short YouTube video (it is under six minutes long), we explain Ouranosaurus classification. We confirm that this dinosaur is not closely related to Iguanodon bernissartensis. Most palaeontologists classify Ouranosaurus nigeriensis as a basal hadrosauriform.
In the video, we examine the fossil evidence that led to the Haolonggood Ouranosaurus figure being changed and provided with an updated manus.
Perched on the box, displaying their thumb spikes two Haolonggood Ouranosaurus models. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The Haolonggood Nasutoceratops dinosaur models are in stock at Everything Dinosaur. YanQing the blue/grey Nasutoceratops is available along with HuaRong the brown-coloured version. The Haolonggood range of dinosaurs includes other ceratopsians such as Pachyrhinosaurus and Pentaceratops,
A beautiful Nasutoceratops dinosaur model (Haolonggood).
Nasutoceratops (N. titusi) was formally described in 2013 (Sampson et al). It is regarded as a basal centrosaurine and dates from the late Campanian stage of the Cretaceous. It roamed what is now known as Utah around 76 to 75 million years ago.
Both the Nasutoceratops figures are supplied with Everything Dinosaur Nasutoceratops fact sheets. Each model measures 17 cm long, and that beautiful neck frill is some 7.5 cm off the ground. The scale reported for these figures are 1:35. However, with a body length estimated at under five metres, we at Everything Dinosaur would suggest a scale of around 1:27 or 1:30 might be more appropriate.
The Haolonggood Nasutoceratops dinosaur model (YanQing). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
University of Bradford researchers in collaboration with other leading institutions have been awarded a substantial grant helping them to explore prehistoric landscapes.
The Submerged Landscapes Research Centre, at the University of Bradford is embarking on an ambitious project to map the Baltic and the North Sea thanks to a grant of €8 million (just under £7 million GBP). This is the largest single grant ever awarded to Bradford University.
Sea levels were much lower 20,000 years ago during the Last Glacial Maximum. The grant will permit the scientists to explore ancient landscapes that are now submerged. The funding is from the European Research Council. This research will provide a deeper understanding of how our ancestors lived in these regions. Wind farm developments are making these locations more inaccessible for scientists.
Global sea levels were 130 metres lower 20,000 years ago. Picture credit: University of Bradford.
European Union Research Funding
The EU has provided overall funding of more than €13.2 million for SUBNORDICA – a research collaboration between Moesgaard Museum, Aarhus University, the University of Bradford and the German research institute NIHK.
The scientists will be able to utilise the latest technologies to map and explore the seabed.
Underwater excavation, example from the NIhK excavation at Strande, Germany. Picture credit: Christian Howe.
Generative AI and computer simulation will be employed to identify areas where long lost settlements may still survive and can be mapped.
Researchers at the University of Bradford’s Submerged Landscapes Research Centre will lead exploration in the southern North Sea along with partners in Holland (TNO), Belgium (VLIZ) and the University of York. The University of Bradford will also host the project’s computing infrastructure, providing modelling and AI support in the quest to explore prehistoric landscapes.
The grant comes from the European Research Council, set up by the European Union in 2007 to fund research excellence in projects based across Europe. The funding is part of the Horizon Europe programme and is part of an overall budget of more than €16 billion from 2021 to 2027.
A Scientific Collaboration to Explore Prehistoric Landscapes
The funding will permit closer collaboration and co-operation between the participating institutions.
Leading Investigators: Dr Katrine Juul Andresen, Professor Vincent Gaffney, Dr Svea Mahlstedt, Dr Peter Moe Astrup. Picture credit: Katrine Juul Andresen.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated:
“The University of Bradford has been at the forefront of the mapping of ancient landscapes such as Doggerland and the Irish Sea. This funding will enable the team to use innovative technology and map a far greater area of European seascape.”
The Beasts of the Mesozoic Styracosaurus articulated dinosaur model is being retired. This popular figure is going out of production. One of the first ceratopsian figures introduced, the Styracosaurus is being retired after one last production run.
The stunning Beasts of the Mesozoic Styracosaurus dinosaur model in lateral view.
The Beasts of the Mesozoic Styracosaurus
Measuring an impressive 30.5 cm in length, the Styracosaurus figure has proved to be immensely popular with collectors. The striking colour scheme made this articulated model an instant hit. The hand-painted model is in 1:18 scale. In addition, it had twenty points of articulation.
The back cover illustration of the Beasts of the Mesozoic Styracosaurus dinosaur model (S. albertensis).
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that just five hundred Styracosaurus models had been produced. It was probably due to production pressures, with so many new models coming out that the Styracosaurus had been retired.
The spokesperson added:
“The Beasts of the Mesozoic Styracosaurus figure is absolutely stunning. We shall be sad when it is finally withdrawn and out of production.”
For dinosaur fans and model collectors who may have missed out on this figure, there is one final chance to get their hands on one.
Styracosaurus (Styracosaurus albertensis) is an iconic ceratopsian. It is a member of the centrosaurine subfamily of horned dinosaurs. It was named and scientifically described in 1913 (Lawrence Lambe). Known from the Dinosaur Provincial Park Formation of Alberta, Styracosaurus was a large dinosaur, perhaps as much as 6 metres long. The holotype specimen is on display at the Canadian Museum of Nature (Ottawa, Ontario).
Visit the award-winning and user-friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
A palaeontologist from the University of Manchester, Dr Dean Lomax is off to Hollywood. Dr Lomax will be walking the red carpet as a new documentary film entitled “Why Dinosaurs?” is premiered. As the lead expert for the project and executive producer, Dr Lomax has been instrumental in helping to bring to the screen this ground-breaking exploration of our fascination with the Dinosauria.
A promotional poster for Why Dinosaurs? Picture credit: Tony Pinto.
Why Dinosaurs?
Dean is a world-renowned palaeontologist and an Honorary Research Fellow at The University of Manchester. He helped father and son team, Tony and James Pinto realise their dream of making a dinosaur documentary. The premier, being held in Hollywood on November 3rd will be a star-studded affair. Dean very kindly offered us tickets to attend this exciting event. Unfortunately, we are unable to go, ironically in part, as we have on-going projects with students from Manchester.
Dr Dean Lomax with Tony and James Pinto. Picture credit: Pinto Productions/University of Manchester.
Dean helped shape the scientific narrative and assisted first-time filmmakers James and Tony with their innovative production.
He explained:
“This film is for everyone who ever played with dinosaurs as a kid, wanted to be a palaeontologist and dig up dinosaurs, or loved movies like Jurassic Park and Jurassic World. It’s a timeless story that will inspire girls and boys across the planet to pursue science in a variety of disciplines – not just palaeontology – as well as boost attendance at natural history museums for decades to come.”
To catch up with Dean’s adventures and to explore other projects that this award-winning palaeontologist has been involved with: British Palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax.
A Documentary Six Years in the Making
“Why Dinosaurs?” is written and directed by Tony Pinto. It documents his son’s obsession with dinosaurs. The project started six years ago and gained huge traction following successful crowdfunding. It has reached the big screen, and it will be premiered in front of hundreds of dinosaur fans, celebrities and world-renowned experts in the field.
More than sixty-five palaeontologists were interviewed including Dr Lomax, as well as amateur fossil hunters, artists and dinosaur fans. James and his father even tracked down the director of Jurassic World for their film project. Dinosaurs and dinosaur models are discussed with fans from all over the world.
An interview with Jessica Lippincott, a palaeontologist at the Big Horn Basin Foundation. Picture credit: Pinto Productions/University of Manchester.
Genuine Voices of Working Palaeontologists
Tony Pinto explained that he wanted to make a dinosaur documentary that championed the world of scientists. He wanted to move away from the traditional computer-generated images and dinosaur reconstructions. The film “Why Dinosaurs?” tells the story of our fascination through the voices of working palaeontologists, science communicators, artists, and dinosaur fanatics. His son also got the opportunity to take part in excavations and other scientific endeavours.
James Pinto jacketing a dinosaur fossil with palaeontologist Jessica Lippincott. Picture credit: Pinto Productions/University of Manchester.
Tony added that the film:
“Tells a brief history of palaeontology and explores the world’s fascination with dinosaurs and popular culture.”
For Dean, this film is close to his heart. He enjoys meeting dinosaur enthusiasts and spends much of his time involved in public engagement.
Dr Lomax commented:
“As a palaeontologist who is always excited to share my passion with the public, I am thrilled to be talking about dinosaurs on the big stage and introducing the film in the heart of Hollywood.”
We wish everyone involved with this wonderful project every success. Have fun at the Hollywood premier.
“Why Dinosaurs?” is G-rated, 90 minutes long, and anticipated to be available for purchase or streaming in early 2024.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a press release from the University of Manchester in the compilation of this article.
Today, we highlight the recently introduced PNSO Tristan the Gorgosaurus dinosaur model. The Gorgosaurus is one of several Late Cretaceous tyrannosaurs in the PNSO mid-size model range. Prior to Tristan the Gorgosaurus being launched, this series included Daspletosaurus, Lythronax, Albertosaurus and Zhuchengtyrannus. Of course, PNSO has also included Tyrannosaurus rex in both the mid-size range and the scale model series (Sci-Art).
The recently introduced PNSO Tristan the Gorgosaurus dinosaur model in lateral view. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
PNSO Tristan the Gorgosaurus Dinosaur Model
The Gorgosaurus measures a fraction under 26 cm long and it stands just under 10 cm high. This dinosaur model is supplied with an Everything Dinosaur fact sheet. In addition, collectors receive an A3-sized poster and a sixty-four page, full-colour booklet. Inside the product packaging there is a transparent support stand and a QR code on the box gives collectors access to a Gorgosaurus video.
To view the extensive range of PNSO prehistoric animal figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Models.
The PNSO Tristan the Gorgosaurus has an articulated lower jaw.
The PNSO Gorgosaurus model has an articulated lower jaw. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Visit the award-winning and customer friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
A team member from Everything Dinosaur was invited to address final year digital marketing students at Manchester Metropolitan University. Mike of Everything Dinosaur had received some training from the University, taking part in a “Developing Innovation” programme. As a result of his connections to the University he was invited to present to the digital marketing students. The students are looking at Everything Dinosaur’s digital footprint and Google Analytics as part of their course. The aim is to provide them with a real business to study.
Everything Dinosaur team member Mike got asked lots of questions by the digital marketing students. Picture credit: Alexandra Severn (MMU).
Everything Dinosaur Fielding Questions
Working with their teacher, Alexandra Severn (Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing Communications and Programme Leader), the students had compiled an extensive list of questions. The questions ranged from asking about our website, customer profiling and social media activities to enquiring about our favourite fossils. Fortunately, a fossil had been brought along. It is not very often a Woolly Rhinoceros dorsal vertebra takes part in a business school lecture.
One student asked:
“What was our favourite dinosaur?”
Ryan enquired:
“How sustainable is your operation? Do you consider the environmental impact at each stage of your operation?”
Amin wanted to know how the dinosaur models are made and are they made in a safe environment?
We hope the answers we provided were informative and helped the students to gain a better understanding of the business world. It was also a pleasure to be able to discuss some of the ways in which Everything Dinosaur has reduced its carbon footprint. In addition, our use of recycled cardboard and the replacement of compostable starch chips rather than using foam were highlighted.
Mike of Everything Dinosaur addressing the final year digital marketing students at Manchester Metropolitan University. Picture credit: Alexandra Severn (MMU).
Commenting on the experience, Mike stated:
“It is nice to be able to give something back to the next generation. They had compiled a challenging set of questions, and I did my best to answer them all. It was a pretty intense session, but I got the chance to talk to some of the students afterwards and they wanted to have their photograph taken with the Woolly Rhino fossil.”
Visit the award-winning and user-friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
We can confirm that the Haolonggood Ouranosaurus model in stock has the anatomically correct manus (hand). When this figure was first produced, the hand on the model did not reflect the known fossil record. The Haolonggood design team were swift to respond and introduced a more accurate version shortly afterwards.
The Haolonggood Ouranosaurus model (WuJu) available from Everything Dinosaur has a more accurate manus compared to the previous version of this dinosaur figure. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A More Accurate Haolonggood Ouranosaurus Model
The picture (above) shows a close-up view of the manus of WuJu the green Ouranosaurus figure. The first digit, the thumb (pollex) has a stubby spike. Digits two, three and four were more robust, and were adapted for weight bearing. Please note, in the image above digit four is not visible. Digit five was reduced and had limited sideways movement. It was not prehensile and probably not used for grasping.
Everything Dinosaur congratulates the design team at Haolonggood for introducing a more accurate Ouranosaurus model.
Ouranosaurus was named and described in 1976 (Ouranosaurus nigeriensis) by the French palaeontologist Phillipe Taquet. Fossil specimens began to be put on display prior to the formal scientific description. This has led to some confusion over the identity of the fossil material. For example, it is now thought that the nearly complete specimen on display at the Natural History Museum of Venice represents the paratype. As a result of this confusion, some of the autapomorphies associated with the holotype that led to the erection of this genus has been challenged.
For example, the tail was described as relatively short. However, this may not be a unique characteristic and the absence of a complete set of caudal vertebrae may have led to this feature being over emphasised.
A pair of Haolonggood Ouranosaurus dinosaur models. WuJu is in the foreground whilst WuWei is in the background. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Our thanks to William who sent into Everything Dinosaur a review of the PNSO Megalosaurus model. This dinosaur fan and model collector had been looking forward to this introduction. He purchased two models, and commented:
“I had heard rumours that PNSO might introduce a Megalosaurus. I thought we might get a model in 2024, the bicentenary of the scientific description of this dinosaur. However, PNSO introduced it this summer and I was happy. I decided to buy not one, but a pair of Megalosaurus bucklandii.”
The PNSO Megalosaurus dinosaur model is supplied with a transparent support stand. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
PNSO Megalosaurus Model
The reviewer comments that “Edward” is posed in a neutral standing position, looking forward. The model’s colouration is praised, and the toothy, articulated jaw highlighted. William explains that this is the dinosaur he imagined when reading about big theropods like Megalosaurus when he was a child.
William added:
“We have a true and accurate model of Megalosaurus bucklandii. The PNSO Megalosaurus model “Edward” is the crowning glory of my collection.”
To view the PNSO range of prehistoric animal figures available from Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Models.
The Discovery of Megalosaurus
As well as providing a review of the PNSO figure, the reviewer summarised the history of the Megalosaurus fossil discoveries.
The new for 2023 PNSO Megalosaurus dinosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
He explained that the lower jawbone was unearthed in an Oxfordshire quarry. This fossil and other material came into the possession of the Reverend William Buckland, the resident Professor of Geology at the University of Oxford. Examining the fossil, he realised that the fossil represented a reptile as the teeth erupted from sockets in the jaw. It was Buckland’s friend William Conybeare who named the fossil Megalosaurus.
At a meeting of the Geological Society of London on the 20th of February, 1824 the specimen was described. On that fateful day, the world was introduced to Megalosaurus and our fascination with the “terrible lizards” commenced.
The stunning new for early autumn 2023 PNSO Megalosaurus dinosaur model.
Our thanks to William for sending to Everything Dinosaur his review of the PNSO Megalosaurus model.
