Prehistoric Mysteries Unlocked

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Science Museum will stage The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Big Eight - Dinosaur Revelation exhibition, with free admission from July 8 to November 16, showcasing eight fossil skeletons from the dinosaur kingdom.

In addition to the eight fossil skeletons, museum goers will be filled with delight at the sight of reconstructed dinosaur skeleton models that include the Triceratops, Allosaurus, Hesperosaurus, Diplodocus, Tyrannosaurus, Spinosaurus, Hatzegopteryx and a baby sauropod. Except for the Tyrannosaurus, the other seven fossil skeletons will be on display in Hong Kong for the first time.

Upon entering the exhibition hall, the huge Tyrannosaurus and a Triceratops are locked in a duel, while the 15-metre-long Spinosaurus is foraging in the river.

As another exciting feature, visitors will get the sense that they are heading back to the prehistoric world due to the loud roar of dinosaurs.

Rare fossil specimens

Some of the dinosaurs’ skeletons in the show are built from original fossils and reconstructed bones, while the Allosaurus fossil skeleton boasts a high level of completeness of over 90%.

Science Museum Director Paulina Chan pointed out one of the more remarkable exhibits that contain a baby sauropod that was buried in just a few seconds. She added that it is displayed in its original buried state.

Immersive experience

Ms Chan encourages visitors not to miss another exhibit that highlights the Spinosaurus’s 1:1 reconstructed skeleton model.

The Spinosaurus has an unusual anatomy. In addition to being much longer than an adult T. Rex, the 15-metre-long predator possesses huge sails on its back, a unique paddle-like tail, conical teeth and an elongated snout that resembles the head of a crocodile, suggesting they were adapted to living in the water.

With special audio and visual effects, visitors will have the opportunity to meet the foraging Spinosaurus in a prehistoric river.

Moreover, the museum is using special project mapping technology to rebuild the appearance of a Hatzegopteryx with its original bones on display next to the skeletons.

Dinosaur revelation

The exhibition is also designed to inspire visitors to contemplate their own place in the grand story of evolution and the challenges threatening our future on this planet such as global warming, extreme weather events and biodiversity loss.

Through the exhibition, Ms Chan said she hopes to motivate people to make choices in modern society, to live in harmony with nature and to care more for the earth and our environment.

“We can make a smart choice and do not choose extinction.”

The eight fossil specimens of prehistoric creatures are from museums and organisations in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania and Morocco.

Visitors are required to make an advance booking through the e-booking system with free admission. The system will be launched at midnight on July 6.

During the exhibition, the general admission fees of the Science Museum’s permanent exhibitions will be waived.