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One of the Most Complete T. rex Discoveries Finds a Permanent Home at Wichita's Museum of World Treasures!
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On Saturday, May 12, 2007, the Museum of World Treasures formally dedicated Ivan, one of the most complete T. rex discoveries ever made. Assembly of Ivan was open to the public on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 8th and 9th (see photos below) with stellar audiences delighted by the spellbinding process!
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On Saturday, May 12, 2007 the Museum of World Treasures officially dedicated its latest acquisition, an authentic Tyrannosaurus rex. It was uncovered in northwestern South Dakota near the confluence of the Little Missouri River and Box Elder Creek. The dinosaur, affectionately known as Ivan, is scientifically significant for both the quality of the bone composition, as well as the unusually high percentage of skeletal structure uncovered.
The most significant of these discoveries include Sue (roughly 80% complete and housed at the Field Museum in Chicago), Stan (roughly 70% complete and housed at the Black Hills Institute) and now Ivan who is approximately 60-70% complete. Now assembled for exhibition for the first time, Ivan is approximately 40 feet from nose to tip of tail and 12 feet tall at the hip.
Ivan was discovered by Hell Creek Relics, a privately owned, professional paleontology company operated by partners Alan G. Komrosky and Gary Olsen of North Dakota. Ivan was discovered within the Hell Creek geological formation,
The fossil remains of Ivan arrived at the Museum of World Treasures on May 7th, 2007 and assembly took place on May 8th and 9th (see pictures below). This process was open to the public and drew large crowds of adoring fans.
Ivan is now on permanent loan and display with the museum holding an option to purchase him in the event such an opportunity becomes available.
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"We are incredibly humbled by the opportunity to present such an important discovery to the Wichita community," stated Mike Noller, President and CEO of the museum. "We look forward to Ivan having a positive impact on tourism for Wichita and Kansas," he went on to say.
To schedule a group tour, contact the Education Department at 316.263.1311, toll free at 888.700.1311 or by Email
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AT THE DIG SITE
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Ivan in the ground.
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WORK BEGINS IN THE SHOP
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Paleontologist Alan Komrosky works to clean the sacrum.
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Alan's assistant Lois compares her size (a bit taller than five feet) to that of Ivan's hip bone.
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Alan and two of his assistants - Gene and Lois - stand before the collection of Ivan's vertebrae fossils unearthed during their excavations.
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WORK BEGINS AT THE MUSEUM
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The plastic room created to protect the balance of the museum from construction dust.
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The construction crew taking a break from building Ivan's new platform home.
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MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE SHOP
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Ivan taking shape.
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Ivan in perspective, with skull in forground and hip and one leg in background (photo taken in the shop of paleontologist Alan Komrosky in North Dakota).
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Ivan's skull.
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Ivan's mighty tail, with all vertebrae represented by actual fossil, a first among T-Rex discoveries.
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ON SITE ASSEMBLY AT MUSEUM OF WORLD TREASURES
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Lifting the Ilium.
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Locking the Ilium into place.
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Assembling the neck.
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A view of the construction from above.
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A view of attaching the upper skull from below.
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A view of attaching the upper skull from above.
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Attaching the lower jaw.
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A view of attaching the lower jaw from above.
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Placing the scapula.
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Sliding tail vertebrae into place.
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The last toe goes on!
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A view from above of attaching Ivan's last toe.
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Ivan is finally complete!
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A view of Ivan after he's completely put together.
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