The Dinosaur Era

Giants ruled the earth millions of years ago

Dinosaurs ranged from the size of a chicken to the size of a 10-story building, and their fossils continue to provide insight into the evolution and behaviour of these incredible creatures. They went extinct 66 million years ago, but one lineage survived and are still among us: the birds. We have collected some of the best preserved and most unique dinosaur skeletons in the world. You will experience the dinosaurs in a new setting using light, sound and scent. Many more dinosaur skeletons will move into the museum over the coming years.

Dinosaur eggs

Hypselosaurus, a long-necked sauropod

The 13 eggs originate from a Hypselosaurus that lived during the Cretaceous period, approximately 70 mio. years ago. The eggs were found and have been preserved in the exact same position as they were left 70 million years ago in what we today call France.

Triceratops

Triceratops is among Europe's most renowned dinosaur species, recognized for its distinctive neck shield and three horns. Amalie stands as one of Europe's best-preserved skulls, dating back 68 million years. Measuring 1.5 x 2 meters, the skull represented about one-third of its body. Triceratops could grow up to 8-9 meters long and weigh up to 6 tons as herbivores during the Cretaceous period.

"Frederik"

A new dinosaur species

At first glance, this creature might be mistaken for its more famous relative, Triceratops. However, a closer look reveals some key differences. This 79 million year old creature only have two horns and its skull is adorned with a large, shield-like frill, from which a series of sharp spikes and knobs protrude, giving its unique, fearsome and intimidating appearance.

“Big Joe”

Allosaurus, the fearsome carnivore

Standing up to 3.5 meters tall and measuring up to 10 meters in length, Allosaurus was the apex predator 155 million years ago. With razor-sharp teeth and powerful jaws, this giant carnivore could crush bones and rip apart its prey with ease.

Torosaurus, the world's biggest dinosaur skull

Torosaurus was a herbivorous dinosaur that lived 69 million years ago. The most characteristic feature is the amazing elongated frill on its skull. “Adam”, the specimen in the museum, is in fact the longest dinosaur skull ever found with its vertiginous 3 meters from the tip of the beak to the back of the frill.

Archaeopteryx, the world's first bird

Archaopteryx lived 150 million years ago and is referred to as the "first bird" due to its combination of avian and reptilian features. With the graceful wings of a swan and the agility and ferocity of a raptor, Archaeopteryx is a true marvel of evolution that challenges our understanding of how life on Earth has evolved over time.

“Ichnites”

Dinosaur footprints from USA and France

Preserved dinosaur footprints reveal the movements, interactions, and behaviors of dinosaurs in their natural environments. Dinosaur footprints form when an animal steps onto a moist surface, like mud or sand along a shoreline. As the sediment compresses together and hardens into rock, the footprints become fossilized. In the collection, are ichnites discovered in Connecticut, New Mexico, New Jersey, the coal mines at Utah’s Blackhawk Formation and France.

"Ichnite Trackway"

4,5 meter long dinosaur trackway

In 2012, a major expedition to Greenland unearthed a 211 million years ago dinosaur footprint trackway confirming that predatory dinosaurs, lived in Greenland during the Triassic era. The footprints were left by nine different theropods, which moved across a damp mud area, likely near a drying lake or river as the result of a warm climate. Calculations tell us that the footprints are from Coelophysis that were moving through the mud area at speeds ranging from 7 to 12 km/h.