Eight highly prized dinosaur fossil skeletons are grabbing the audience’s attention at the Hong Kong Science Museum. Vasavi Seethepalli reports. 

Exhibits from The Big Eight show at the Hong Kong Science Museum. An original fossil skeleton of a Triceratops. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

A much waited show has opened at the Hong Kong Science Museum, and judging by the sea of excited faces at the venue, the city’s dino fans have got the memo. The Big Eight — Dinosaur Revelation is an immersive, interactive exhibition showcasing eight spectacular fossil skeletons as well as other fossil remnants. 

Dinosaurs existed in all three periods of the Mesozoic Era, ruling the Earth for 165 to 175 million years — from around 240 to 230 million years ago until around 65 million years ago, when a massive asteroid collided with the Earth, triggering a global mass-extinction event.

A 1:1 reconstruction of a Hatzegopteryx skeleton. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

The Big Eight showcases four dinosaur species — Allosaurus, Hesperosaurus, Diplodocus, and a juvenile sauropod — from the second period of the Mesozoic Era, the Jurassic; and another four — Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, Spinosaurus and Hatzegopteryx — from the Mosozoic’s third period, the Cretaceous. The exhibition runs concurrently with the 3D documentary short Dinosaurs of Antarctica, playing at the Hong Kong Space Museum next door.

It took nearly a year for the Science Museum to design and execute The Big Eight, including reconfiguring the museum space to accommodate these fossilized treasures. As part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s 25th anniversary celebrations, the exhibition is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department with the First Initiative Foundation. It is sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and supported by the MTR Corp. 

According to the HKJC’s executive director of charities and community, Leong Cheung, the club seeks to “raise awareness about global issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss, promote the importance of environmental protection, as well as sustainably develop paleontology and popular science education in the city”. Hence the decision to back the dinosaur  showcase in Hong Kong.

Dinosaur egg fossils and models. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Terribly different

Dinosaur fossils were officially recognized as such (as opposed to being taken as the remains of some terrifyingly large, extinct reptile) relatively recently. In 1842, the British scientist Richard Owen identified features distinctive enough to warrant categorizing the gigantic creatures under a separate taxonomic group. Owen named the group Dinosauria, meaning “terrible lizards” in Greek.

In the nearly two centuries since, almost 11,000 unique dinosaur fossils have been unearthed across the planet, while the “terrible lizards” have exploded in popular imagination. 

An immersive light and sound show invites visitors to get a feel of stepping into dinosaur territory. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

“Dinosaur exhibitions like The Big Eight inspire interest in science and help to create the next generation of scientists. Museums have been a big inspiration for my own science career,” says Michael Pittman, a dinosaur paleontologist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s School of Life Sciences. 

Dinosaur species are named after their unique characteristics. “A paleontologist would need to show that (a newly discovered species) is distinct from other dinosaurs, including those that look similar to it,” explains Pittman. He adds that certain species are known from just a single incomplete fossil. The vast majority of dinosaur fossils are bones, but occasionally precious impressions of skin or feathers are also preserved.

An illuminated dinosaur image. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Singular specimens

Inside the Science Museum’s exhibition space with dark walls, the visitor experience is augmented by light and sound shows, visual effects and video projections. An international team of highly-acclaimed professionals  joined forces to put the show together. According to the science museum’s director, Paulina Chan, paleontologists, scenographers, storytellers and 3D rendering artists have created “scientifically accurate reconstructions of the largest predatory dinosaur (Spinosaurus) and the largest flying creature (Hatzegopteryx) in the prehistoric world”. 

“For every exhibition, we (aim) to use new perspectives to tell a story unveiling the mystery of these prehistoric giants,” Chan says, adding that the current exhibition enables visitors to “appreciate dinosaur skeletons, fossil materials and reconstructions from the prehistoric world, as well as gain new insights into paleontology”.

An Allosaurus skull replica. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Each member of The Big Eight dinos is identified by both their scientific and given names, ranging from scary to cute. A pterosaur (flying reptile) from the Hatzegopteryx club is called Dracula, for example. Application of augmented reality has helped to breathe life into this exhibit. A video projected over the fossil skeleton makes it appear as if the majestic creature is in flight. 

Victoria, a massive Hesperosaurus, is an extremely valuable specimen in which impressions of the skin and backplate surfaces have been preserved. It’s the oldest piece of evidence that the species — a close relative of Stegosaurus — had a horn sheath on its plates. Big Al 2, meanwhile, is the most complete Allosaurus skeleton ever discovered, being 99 percent intact.

Presented in its original burial posture, Toni is the only articulated, nearly complete baby sauropod (long-necked, long-tailed dinosaur) discovered to date. Far more terrifying is the fish-hunting Mister Big — a Spinosaurus armed with a flexible, paddle-like tail and a long, crocodile-like jaw. 

A 1:1 reconstruction of a Spinosaurus skeleton. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

All fossil skeletons, except for that of the Tyrannosaurus, are on display in Hong Kong for the first time. 

Arranged over two floors, the tightly structured exhibition features a Dino Lab for kids, offering a range of interactive activities including assembling model dinosaur skeletons. A “time tunnel” treats visitors to an immersive video experience as they pass through it. And Hong Kong Public Libraries has helped put together a corner for browsing dinosaur-themed e-books. Other attractions include an educational film on planetary conservation, a treasure hunt  and the opportunity to enjoy some downtime under an overhead video projection that seeks to recreate a starry night sky from a time when the dinosaurs roamed the earth. Also worth checking out are the dino yoga sessions, where one gets to practice yogic postures  while learning about dinosaur behavior. 

Paleontologist and the Chinese University of Hong Kong academic, Michael Pittman, says shows like The Big Eight can help create the next generation of scientists. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

“This initiative is going to be a great unifier,” remarked Michelle Ong, chairman of the First Initiative Foundation, ahead of the opening. 

“The Big Eight is sure to bring generations of the community together, with something to interest everyone.” 

If you go

The Big Eight — Dinosaur Revelation

Date: Through Nov 16 

Venue: Hong Kong Science Museum, 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Admission free (online booking required)

hk.science.museum/en_US/web/scm/index.html