ABOUT THIS COLLECTION

#aboutThisCollection

BACKGROUND AND HISTORY

The Spinosaurus (Spinosaurus aegyptiacus) lived in North Africa during the Late Cretaceous Period, roughly 100–94 million years ago. Fossils attributed to the species are associated particularly with deposits in what are now Egypt and Morocco, regions that during the Cretaceous supported enormous river systems, wetlands and coastal environments rather than the deserts occupying much of North Africa today.

Spinosaurus was one of the largest known predatory dinosaurs, potentially reaching more than 14 metres in length, although estimating its maximum size remains difficult because relatively complete skeletons are exceptionally rare. Its most immediately recognisable feature was the series of extremely elongated vertebral spines rising from its back, which supported the great structure commonly called its sail. Its precise function remains uncertain; display, species recognition and physiological roles have all been proposed.

The skull tells another important part of its story. Unlike the deep, powerful skull of Tyrannosaurus, the jaws of Spinosaurus were long and narrow and contained numerous relatively straight, conical teeth. This anatomy is particularly well suited to grasping slippery prey, and fish formed an important part of the diet of spinosaurids.

Recent fossil discoveries have transformed scientific interpretations of the animal. Dense bones, shortened hind limbs and an unusually deep, flexible tail have all been discussed as adaptations associated with spending substantial time around or within water. Exactly how aquatic Spinosaurus was remains actively debated. Researchers disagree over whether it was capable of effectively pursuing prey while swimming or instead hunted primarily from shallow water and river margins.

Its world contained some truly enormous fish, including giant coelacanths, lungfish and sawfish-like animals, alongside crocodile relatives, turtles, pterosaurs and other dinosaurs.

CULTURAL CONTEXT AND SYMBOLOGY