The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs

The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs are a collection of paleo-artistic models of prehistoric animals, created in the mid-19th century for the Crystal Palace Park in London. Designed by geologist Richard Owen, these life-sized sculptures were among the first of their kind, showcasing animals like the iguanodon and megalosaurus. Built using iron, concrete, and plaster, the dinosaurs were intended to educate the public about evolutionary science and fossil discovery. Despite their outdated interpretations reflecting the limited knowledge of the time, they are considered a significant part of both art and scientific history, influencing public imagination about dinosaurs.