Fossils of eight dinosaur species are now showcased in "The Big Eight - Dinosaur Revolution," an exhibition in the Hong Kong Science Museum sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and will remain until November.

Hong Kong Science Museum is Featuring New Fossil Displays

Seven out of the eight dinosaur fossils are exhibited for the first time. Museum-goers can now find skeletons of a Diplodocus, an Allosaurus, a Hesperosaurus, and a young Sauropod - all from about 150 million years ago and were found in Wyoming, USA. Along with the four is a reconstructed skeleton of a Spinosaurus from around 100 million years ago discovered in Morocco.

The Allosaurus, also called "the Big Al 2," is the most complete of the skeletons missing only the tip of its tail. Meanwhile, the young Sauropod, named "Toni," is the second most complete at 95% bone count. A separate Sauropod leg bone which is not part of the eight fossils, has been made available for the public to "gently touch." Museum director Paulina Chan Shuk-man said the leg bone was "reinforced" and protected so that gentle touching would not cause any damage to it, besides having enough museum security to ensure that people remained careful. She mentions that having people touch the Sauropod leg bone was vital to the museum's role in educating. Indeed, it adds to the experience and the understanding that museum-goers can enjoy.

A reconstructed skeleton of a Hatzegopteryx, found in Romania, and an original skeleton of a Triceratops, found in the United States, is also showcased in this exhibition, considered the largest dinosaur exhibition in Hong Kong. Both species were from 66 million years ago. Lastly, the original skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus, a well-known species from 68 to 66 million years ago, is also showcased in the exhibition. The skeleton was discovered in South Dakota, USA.

How is the Museum Maintained?

All of these took three weeks to install following a year of planning. Expectedly, there were challenges in allocating space for these gigantic fossils as each was almost 13 feet tall. To make way, some exhibitions had to be taken apart and deconstructed. In the end, about 22,000 square feet are now allocated to The Big Eight.

Aside from the exhibition, other dinosaur-related events and activities will be hosted by the museum, such as talks by paleontologists, science classes for kids, and even themed yoga classes. This series of related events includes six sessions of a sleepover where up to 30 families can sleep by the fossils and even take part in a treasure hunt in the exhibition hall. From touching leg bones to spending a night with the fossils, the Hong Kong Science Museum truly offers an unforgettable learning experience that one cannot call ordinary, typical, and, more so, boring.

Though viewing the exhibit is free of charge, interested viewers will need to reserve their slots online ahead of time up to a week before the scheduled visit. The online booking system updates reservation time slots daily, and reservations can be made for up to four individuals. Upon registering with an email address, a QR code will be provided and should be presented upon admission to the museum. This QR is non-transferrable. Health and vaccine pass checks will also be done before entering the museum via a "Leave Home Safe" QR code.

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