Is the Big Dinosaur Still at the Natural History Museum?

If you’re planning a visit to the Natural History Museum in London, one of the biggest questions on your mind might be – is the big dinosaur still there? And by big dinosaur, we mean the iconic Diplodocus skeleton that has been the centerpiece of the museum’s Hintze Hall for over 35 years.

Well, we have good news for all dinosaur enthusiasts – yes, the big Diplodocus is still at the Natural History Museum! However, it has undergone some significant changes recently that are worth noting.

Firstly, let’s talk about the history of this famous exhibit. The Diplodocus skeleton was first unveiled in 1905 and was a gift from Scottish-American industrialist Andrew Carnegie to King Edward VII.

It was originally displayed in the Central Hall of what was then called the British Museum (Natural History). In 1979, it was moved to its current location in Hintze Hall and has been a favorite among visitors ever since.

But in 2017, after over three decades on display, the Diplodocus underwent a major transformation. The museum decided to replace it with a blue whale skeleton as part of a larger renovation project. However, instead of just taking down the Diplodocus and putting it away in storage, they decided to give it a new home within the museum.

Now if you visit Hintze Hall, you’ll see that the blue whale hangs from the ceiling while the Diplodocus stands on all fours at its base. This new pose is more scientifically accurate and represents how paleontologists now believe Diplodocus would have stood when alive. Additionally, this new position allows visitors to get up close and personal with this massive herbivore – you can even touch its real fossil bones!

But that’s not all – as part of its relocation within Hintze Hall, several other changes were made to give visitors an even more immersive experience. For example:

  • The lighting has been upgraded to highlight different parts of the skeleton and create a more dramatic effect.
  • A life-size model of a dinosaur head has been added to give visitors an idea of what Diplodocus’s head might have looked like.
  • An interactive screen allows visitors to explore the different bones of the skeleton and learn more about how they fit together.

All in all, the new Diplodocus exhibit is a must-see for anyone visiting the Natural History Museum. Its impressive size and historical significance make it a true icon of the museum, and its updated pose and interactive features make it even more engaging for visitors of all ages. So go ahead – plan your visit and see for yourself why this big dinosaur is still such a beloved part of London’s cultural landscape.