Original Tyrannosaurus rex for the first time on display in Europa

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For the first time, from 24 to 26 October, the mounted original skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex will be on display in Europe. The fully‐grown and exceptionally well‐preserved exemplar of this predatory dinosaur, for which scientific research has not been fully completed yet, will be the highlight of this year's Munich Show – Mineralientage München. Three days long, scientists and visitors can admire the King of the dinosaurs at the Munich Trade Fair Center.

No other dinosaur is more famous than the majestic Tyrannosaurus rex. In countless films, illustrations and games, this species embodies the top of the prehistoric food chain. In contrast with this popularity, scientific research around this theme has only significantly progressed in the last twenty years. The few exemplars which were discovered so far are practically priceless and are displayed in major museums like the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago or the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Until now, no mounted original skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex has ever been exhibited in Europe.

This year, the organisers of the Munich Show – Mineralientage München managed to obtain a T‐Rex specimen, as the highlight of a special exhibition. Measuring more than 12 meters, the so‐called "King Kong" is among the biggest exemplars ever discovered and presents a remarkable bone preservation. Prof. Dr. Wörheide, Director of the Paleontological Museum Munich, is glad to say: "This is the first time that the mounted original skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex is being exhibited in Europe".

The King of the dinosaurs will be on display at the special exhibition "Meteorites – The fate of the dinosaurs" in which the event of the Cretaceous ‐Tertiary extinction will be developed. Up to the late nineties, this species counted as one of the most well‐known predators and became sort of a pop culture icon through numerous books and films, Prof. Wörheide explains. Nevertheless, each new exemplar is enriching for science and usually provides new findings and more knowledge. The first complete scientific description of a Tyrannosaurus rex only goes back to 2002, thus more than 100 years after the discovery of this giant's first remains. In this case, the arms of this specimen are particularly noteworthy. "Indeed, on first sight, they appear to be unusually complete and extremely strong." Dr. Oliver Rauhut said, curator of lower vertebrates at the Paleontological Museum Munich, who was already allowed to have a look at the skeleton.

The limited amount of these prehistoric species has been exclusively discovered in the Upper Cretaceous of North America in the states of Wyoming and Montana, as well as in Alberta, Canada. The Tyrannosaurus rex was the last large predator of the dinosaurs' Era and lived about 66 to 68 million years ago. "King Kong" was discovered a few years ago in Montana and it took years to prepare the specimen after its excavation. This exemplar owned by a private person is a temporary loan to the exhibition organisers, for the duration of the Munich Show – Mineralientage München. It will be presented for the first time on 24 October 2014, opening day of the Munich Show. The public can admire this sensational object in live until Sunday 26 October, before it is being displayed in one of the biggest natural sciences museums worldwide.

The Munich Show – Mineralientage München is one of the largest exhibitions in Europe for minerals, fossils and precious stones. Once a year, the international scene of collectors, museum curators and dealers meets here to acquire unique natural treasures. With numerous special exhibitions, lectures and hands‐on activities for children, the fascination for our planet can also be transmitted to the private public. The event takes place from 24 to 26 October on the Munich Trade Fair Grounds "Neue Messe München".

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