Megalosaurus
Early-described dinosaur genus
Megalosaurus was the first dinosaur to be scientifically named and described, in 1824, making it a landmark in paleontology.
It was a large carnivorous theropod that lived during the Middle Jurassic period, roughly 166 million years ago, in what is now England.
The name means "great lizard," reflecting early attempts to classify these enormous prehistoric creatures.
For much of the 19th century, Megalosaurus served as a catch-all category for various large theropod fossils before more precise classification methods developed.
Bipedal carnivorous dinosaur group
- JurassicDinosaur-dominated geological period
- carnivoreCreature eating only animals
- fossilPreserved ancient organism
- bipedalHaving two feet
predator · reptile · saurian · extinct · Mesozoic · specimen · vertebrae · jaw
Iron-framed glass exhibition hall
- VictorianOf a prim era
- DickensSurname of Victorian novelist
- Bleak HouseCheerless, unwelcoming residence
- statueThree-dimensional sculpted likeness
reconstruction · sculpture · exhibition · illustration · popularization · imagery · outdated · quadrupedal
Enamel-covered chewing structures
- serratedHaving toothlike projections
- jawBone holding teeth
- femurUpper leg bone
- tibiaMain lower leg bone
pelvis · vertebrae · skull · claws · bipedal · hindlimbs · carnivorous · scavenger
A specific year
- EnglandLargest British country
- OxfordshireMidlands county in England
- quarryPit for extracting rock
- firstPosition number one
named · description · Victorian · scientific · classification · geology · stratigraphy · paleontologist
theropod
Bipedal carnivorous dinosaur group
- JurassicDinosaur-dominated geological period
- carnivoreCreature eating only animals
- fossilPreserved ancient organism
bipedal · predator · reptile · saurian · extinct · Mesozoic · specimen · vertebrae · jaw · teeth
Crystal Palace
Iron-framed glass exhibition hall
- VictorianOf a prim era
- DickensSurname of Victorian novelist
- Bleak HouseCheerless, unwelcoming residence
statue · reconstruction · sculpture · exhibition · illustration · popularization · imagery · outdated · quadrupedal · depiction
teeth
Enamel-covered chewing structures
tibia · pelvis · vertebrae · skull · claws · bipedal · hindlimbs · carnivorous · scavenger · predator
1824
A specific year
- EnglandLargest British country
- OxfordshireMidlands county in England
- quarryPit for extracting rock
first · named · description · Victorian · scientific · classification · geology · stratigraphy · paleontologist · museum
MegalosaurusBrachiosaurus
Tall sauropod genus
sauropod · Iguanodon · herbivore · Argentinosaurus · hadrosaur