The latest edition of “Prehistoric Times” is brimming over with lots of amazing articles, illustrations and features.  This well-respected magazine has a global readership, and it is published quarterly.  The two featured prehistoric animals are the Brazilian pterosaur Tapejara and the North American ceratopsian Styracosaurus.  Thanks to Phil Hore, for once again producing a couple of informative and most interesting articles.  Styracosaurus provides the inspiration for the front cover artwork which was created by Kurt Miller. Palaeontologist Jordan Mallon explores the Styracosaurus specimens in the vertebrate collection of the Canadian Museum of Nature.  The genus may have been erected over a hundred years ago, but despite recent centrosaurine discoveries, “spike lizard” continues to amaze and inspire.

The front cover artwork for “Prehistoric Times” issue 149 (Spring 2024).

Poignantly, editor Mike Fredericks includes an image of a Styracosaurus statue made by the artist and sculptor Mike Trcic.  We were saddened to hear of his passing and our condolences to his family.

Styracosaurus Artwork in “Prehistoric Times”

There are lots of Styracosaurus illustrations accompanying Phil Hore’s excellent article. Once again, we have been impressed by the reader contributions.  Personal favourites include the pair of Styracosaurus fighting by Victoria Grabowski, the black and white drawing of the impressive head crest and nose horn created by Brad McFeeters and the illustration by the magazine’s editor Mike Fredericks.  Honourable mentions too for Mike Landry for his CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale inspired Styracosaurus artwork and for Wade Carmen, whose main drawing reminded us of the Papo Styracosaurus figure.

Tracy Lee Ford helps us put skin on the bones of sauropods.  In a fascinating article the dermal armour of titanosaurs is explored.  In addition, we learn more about dermal spines on diplodocids.  On the subject of sauropods and titanosaurs in particular, we note that Randy Knol includes the new CollectA Dreadnoughtus figure in his review of recently introduced figures.

South American Native Ungulates (SANUs)

J. R. Lavas continues his exploration of the artwork produced by the highly influential Czech artist Zdeněk Burian.  In this issue the focus is on South American native ungulates (SANUs).  As with the sparassodonts which featured in issue 148, SANUs were not popular subjects with many early 20th century palaeoartists. For example, Burian only produced a few sketches and no formal paintings.  The author has used some of his own superb illustrations for the article.

Macrauchenia patachonica illustrated. Picture credit: J. Lavas.

Picture credit: J. Lavas

Burian’s artwork does feature in an article by Rosta Walica covering the three volumes of the “Prehistoric World of Zdeněk Burian”.  The article outlines the extensive work involved in compiling this comprehensive trilogy.  There are plenty of Burian’s paintings to admire, the authors including several prehistoric mammal illustrations as well as some of Burian’s classic dinosaur artwork.

Pioneering Palaeontologists and Palaeoartists

This year marks the 170th anniversary of the opening of the world’s first dinosaur theme park at Crystal Palace, London. A conservation programme to protect these grade I listed statues is continuing. Slowly but surely these iconic statues are being restored to their former glory.  In a piece penned by Victor Monnin, the observations of H. G. Wells on time travel are discussed.  Wells wrote the highly influential book “The Time Machine”.  It was published in 1895.  The article is illustrated with images of H. G. Wells and two prints highlighting the Crystal Palace geological park.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s blog post about the restoration of the prehistoric animal statues at Crystal Palace: A Palaeotherium is Welcomed Back.

The magazine features an interview with British palaeontologist Mike Benton and the palaeoartist Bob Nicholls.  They have collaborated on a new book that examines dinosaur behaviour.  The Mesozoic media section contains several book reviews including another volume by Professor Michael Benton entitled “Extinctions – How Life Survives, Adapts and Evolves”.

Other highlights of issue 149 include an interview with veteran preparator Howell Thomas of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the concluding part of Sean Kotz’s build a Stegosaurus kit.

Congratulations to Chuck Egnaczak, Anders Bang, Matt Finstrom, Chris Alfalo and all the other artwork contributors for Phil Hore’s Tapejara piece and take a look at the comprehensive “Paleonews” section.

For further details about “Prehistoric Times” magazine and to subscribe: “Prehistoric Times” Magazine.

Our thanks to editor Mike Fredericks who sent to Everything Dinosaur the artwork for the next edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine. This quarterly magazine is famed for its beautiful cover art. Many noteworthy palaeoartists have contributed over the years. The front cover artwork for issue 149 is no exception. The illustration featuring Styracosaurus albertensis is stunning!

We look forward to reading about the artist behind this remarkable image when issue 149 arrives.

Picture credit: Mike Fredericks

“Prehistoric Times” Magazine

The spring issue (149) will feature an in-depth interview with palaeontologist Jordan Mallon. Dr Mallon is based at the Canadian Museum of Nature (Ottawa, Canada). He specialises in studying dinosaur ecology and has been involved in the naming and scientific description of several fossil species, including a horned dinosaur – Spiclypeus shipporum. Although both members of the Ceratopsia clade and contemporary, Styracosaurus and Spiclypeus were not closely related. The centrosaurine Styracosaurus albertensis is known from the Dinosaur Provincial Park Formation of Alberta, (Canada). In contrast, the chasmosaurine Spiclypeus shipporum is known from the Judith River Formation of Montana (United States).

The model (above) is the articulated Spiclypeus shipporum in the Beasts of the Mesozoic series.

To view the Beasts of the Mesozoic model range: Beasts of the Mesozoic Prehistoric Animal Models.

The Pterosaur Tapejara

The other prehistoric animal to be featured in the spring edition is the pterosaur Tapejara. Readers can expect a comprehensive profile of this Early Cretaceous flying reptile. Tapejara is famed for its huge head crest. We are looking forward to viewing all the reader submitted artwork illustrating this spectacular member of the Pterosauria.

In addition, details will be provided of new books chronicling the life and work of the influential Czech artist Zdeněk Burian. Issue 149 will also feature the latest instalment of the excellent series penned by Jon Lavas discussing the artwork of Burian.  Jon contacted us to let us know that the next instalment covers South American ungulates but Burian did not actually do any formal paintings of these. Instead, Jon has used some of his own illustrations for the article. However, Burian’s artwork will continue in issue 150.

The work of English palaeoartist Bob Nicholls is also featured. Bob illustrated the wonderful “Dinosaur Behavior” which was launched late last year. This excellent dinosaur book was written by Professor Mike Benton (University of Bristol). Published by Princeton University Press “Dinosaur Behavior” is a beautifully illustrated and highly informative guide to the Dinosauria.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Spring Issue of “Prehistoric Times” Coming Soon

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur explained that they were looking forward to reading the next edition of “Prehistoric Times”.

The spokesperson added:

“This magazine is an institution! It contains well-written articles featuring leading academics and scientists along with fabulous profiles of prehistoric animals and updates on fossil discoveries as well as model collecting. The artwork submitted by readers is amazing!”

To learn more about “Prehistoric Times” magazine and to subscribe: “Prehistoric Times” Magazine.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s blog post from May 2020 about the scientific description of Spiclypeus shipporum: New Spiked-shield Horned Dinosaur from Montana.

Issue 148 of “Prehistoric Times” magazine is jam-packed with interesting articles, amazing drawings and fascinating features.  Fans of human evolution are treated to a personal tour of some of the exhibits on display at the Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany).  Our guide Dr Andreas Forrer visits the site where the first Homo neanderthalensis bones were found in 1856. Dr Forrer brings us up to date on genetic research that might lead to the generation of Neanderthal tissue in a laboratory.  These cells would be used to research into the development of the human immune system.

The front cover artwork for issue 148 was supplied by Jaime Chirinos.  A herd of titanosaurs (Saltasaurus australis) is being pursued by a pack of abelisaurids (Quilmesaurus curriei).  It is a most dramatic prehistoric scene.  The complete illustration can be found inside the magazine along with another stunning piece of art from Jaime Chirinos depicting Carcharodontosaurus feeding.

The front cover of “Prehistoric Times” features a thrilling encounter between a pair of theropods and a herd of sauropods. Picture credit: Mike Fredericks/Jaime Chirinos.

Zdeněk Burian and Sparassodonts

Jon Lavas continues his series highlighting the contribution to palaeoart made by Zdeněk Burian.  Prehistoric mammals have been the focus of recent articles and in issue 148 he looks at the enigmatic Sparassodonts, (Sparassodonta).  These carnivorous mammals were related to marsupials and as Lavas points out, they are not often featured in prehistoric art.  On the subject of art, famous palaeoartist Jon Sibbick wrote to the magazine editor confirming that after a long and illustrious career, he would not be undertaking any more commercial projects.

There is a lot of reader submitted artwork throughout the magazine including some delightful illustrations of prehistoric animals from Asbury Park High School pupils.  The photograph of the artwork laid out on the floor reminded us of the many hundreds of dinosaur illustrations we received when Everything Dinosaur team members worked in schools.

Dinosaur drawings presented to Everything Dinosaur from schoolchildren. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Ambulocetus and Australovenator

Phil Hore provides the text for the articles on the two featured prehistoric animals Ambulocetus and Australovenator.  There are some marvellous reader submitted artwork on the ancestor of whales.  Congratulations to Anders Bang, Giovanni De Benedictis and Nick Papadimitriou. Tim Bollinger provides an Australovenator in lateral view, whilst Ethan Martinicky illustrates a pair in the rain with a pterosaur in close attendance.   Kevin Hedgpeth chose to draw an Australovenator skull, and it is a splendid illustration.

Tracy Lee Ford continues his series looking at the skin of sauropods and regular contributor Randy Knol looks at models of prehistoric animals from the Permian and highlights some of the smaller figures from PNSO.  He also discusses marine reptile figures with a focus on some CollectA marine reptiles.  Editor Mike Fredericks brings us news of new CollectA and Safari model releases including the Wild Safari Prehistoric World Utahraptor that recently arrived at Everything Dinosaur.

Unpacking the new Wild Safari Prehistoric World Utahraptor dinosaur model.   Editor Mike Fredericks features this figure in his “What’s new in Review” feature.  Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The sad passing of Dr Martin G. Lockley is noted, and our sympathies go out to his colleagues, family and friends.

I Found a Dinosaur Egg

Kenneth Carpenter (University of Colorado Museum of Natural History) provides an identification guide to dinosaur eggs.  He comments upon the numerous times he has been presented with an abraded pebble by a member of the public who is convinced that they have found a dinosaur egg.

This happens to Everything Dinosaur team members too.  We get sent images of all kinds of rounded objects and we patiently explain that this is a concretion, a nodule or something similar.  We do our best not to disappoint the finder and for fans of prehistoric animals you will not be disappointed with the extensive “Paleonews” section in the magazine.  Recent news stories about dinosaurs living in burrows, mosasaurs from Morocco and megaraptorids from Australia are covered.  The huge Dorset pliosaur skull that was the subject of a recent television documentary narrated by Sir David Attenborough is also featured.

Take a look at the article on the Naturalis Biodiversity Center (Leiden, Netherlands) by Paul McFarland.  There are some fabulous photographs of prehistoric animal skeletons on display.

Thanks to artist Fabio Pastori for his wonderful illustrations.  It was also a treat to view some more artwork from Ely Kish included in the magazine.

Our congratulations to all involved in “Prehistoric Times” magazine issue 148.  As always, this quarterly magazine is crammed full of amazing artwork and fascinating features.

For more information about “Prehistoric Times” magazine and to subscribe: “Prehistoric Times” Magazine.