Crystal Palace Megalosaurus

Description

A scale model in bronze showing the life-size *Megalosaurus* statue erected in Crystal Palace Park, London, in 1853-1855. The models were probably made by sculptor Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins. *Megalosaurus* has the honour of being the first dinosaur to be described in a scientific way (by William Buckland in 1824), although the term ‘dinosaur’ was not coined by the anatomist Richard Owen for another 18 years. Its ‘fearful’ teeth were compared to a collection of knives, swords and saws. For more information, see [https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/statue-details/megalosaurus](https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/statue-details/megalosaurus).