Nottingham Natural History Museum - Discovering Dinosaurs gallery

[Funk]

Could the oviraptorid be Nemegtomaia or some such? Heyuanninae are distinguished by their small hands.

And what does it mean that the Tyrannosaurus skeleton is "modified"?

[DinoToyForum]

Could the oviraptorid be Nemegtomaia or some such? Heyuanninae are distinguished by their small hands.

And what does it mean that the Tyrannosaurus skeleton is "modified"?

Could be!

The T. rex is modified in that all of the original fossil Titus bones have been removed from the mount (literally cut out, where they had been embedded within replica Stan bones) and replaced with 3D printed Titus bone replicas. Except for some neck ribs, which were replaced with replica Stan neck ribs instead, and one Titus tooth replica which was added to the jaw. The original fossil tooth was found associated with Titus and probably belonging to Titus but was not included in the original mount. The base plinth was also completely redesigned to save space. Superficially, the skeleton looks identical to the original Titus mount, but there is no longer any fossil bone in it.

[Libraraptor]

I really enjoy all this behind-the-scenes material very much. Palaeontologist and, even more, museum educator still are two of my dream jobs

[Funk]

Could the oviraptorid be Nemegtomaia or some such? Heyuanninae are distinguished by their small hands.

And what does it mean that the Tyrannosaurus skeleton is "modified"?

Could be!

Do you have a photo of the oviraptorid in side view? I'm wondering if it's even a cast of the exact same thing...

[DinoToyForum]

Here's a side view of it in the workshop in China. Sorry for the low resolution, this is how the photo arrived to me via WeChat. I can get some better photos of it in situ later.

[Funk]

It looks like the exact same mould to me, if you notice the rough texture of the skull and oddly shaped back of the orbit. While different perspective, the other bones check out in shape too.

So we know it is identified as Nemegtomaia in at least Henan Geological Museum.

It also seems similar, but not identical, to the mount discussed here, but maybe that's just because it's from the other side: https://archosaurmusings.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/a-different-oviraptorosaur/

[DinoToyForum]

I believe it's made from the same moulds as the 'Oviraptor' that appeared in the Dinosaurs of China exhibition. Here's the pose it appeared in the DoC exhibition (photo taken in China), the legs always looked odd. It was reposed to my specification (as best as they could) for the new gallery. But I don't know if they reposed this exact mount or created a new one from scratch. Either way, the image might help with identifying it.

[Funk]

I think it's a pretty close fit, here's a close up of that Nemegtomaia mount's skull, with it's rough texture:

[DinoToyForum]

Finally, this gallery opens to the public tomorrow, April 1st 2025. 

[ceratopsian]

I hope they make appreciative comments!

[Protopatch]

Finally, this gallery opens to the public tomorrow, April 1st 2025. 

And this is not an April fool, congrats !

[DinoToyForum]

I hope they make appreciative comments!

Well, Wollaton Hall introduced an entry fee today as well, £15 per adult (pay once for unlimited visits the whole year), children ages 0-15 free (up to three with a paying adult). So, that's what's getting the attention, but hopefully the new dinosaur gallery will help that medicine go down.

[DinoToyForum]

Finally, this gallery opens to the public tomorrow, April 1st 2025. 

And this is not an April fool, congrats !

No, but it has been so long coming it feels surreal for it to be open!

[ceratopsian]

Not so bad if you live locally and visit regularly. A bit pricey if you come once a year. Also a bit pricey if both parents go as a family.

I hope they make appreciative comments!

Well, Wollaton Hall introduced an entry fee today as well, £15 per adult (pay once for unlimited visits the whole year), children ages 0-15 free (up to three with a paying adult). So, that's what's getting the attention, but hopefully the new dinosaur gallery will help that medicine go down.

[DinoToyForum]

The case with the nesting 'Oviraptor' on top:

[DinoToyForum]

And the other end of the gallery...

[Protopatch]

Looks really nice   
It would be great if you could plan a vernissage especially for the DTF members !