Team members at Everything Dinosaur spotted a cute Sinosauropteryx reconstruction on display at the Naturmuseum Senckenberg in Frankfurt. We visited the museum back in 2017, providing a break from the Frankfurter Buchmesse that we had been attending. The little, life-sized dinosaur was part of an exhibit outlining the origin of birds. A model such as this, helps visitors to interpret fossil information.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A Sinosauropteryx Reconstruction

Sinosauropteryx has been classified as a member of the Compsognathidae family of theropod dinosaurs. At the time of its scientific description (1996, Ji and Ji), it was classified as a primitive bird. Subsequent revision, placing Sinosauropteryx within the Compsognathidae confirmed that this dinosaur was not closely related to birds. However, it does represent the first dinosaur taxon outside of the Avialae clade to show definitive evidence for feathers.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

PNSO of China did produce a range of smaller prehistoric animal figures including several feathered models. These figures were beautifully painted and highlighted many feathered dinosaurs and primitive birds.

To view the range PNSO models and figures: PNSO Age of Dinosaurs Figures.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We come across lots of life reconstructions on display in museum cabinets. Whilst this Sinosauropteryx is perhaps, a little outdated, it still provides visitors with information about this small dinosaur. It is quite an endearing model of a tiny theropod. By having a model in the display this helps visitors to better interpret the fossils within the exhibit”

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