Exhibition brochure available here - Royal Ontario Museum

Section 1
Introduction - The Supercontinent of
Pangaea and the Origin of Dinosaurs
Ultimate Dinosaurs seeks to answer the
question: why are southern dinosaurs so
unique and bizarre, and so different from their
better known North American counterparts?
Focusing on the dinosaurs of South America,
Africa, and Madagascar, this exhibit shows
how continental drift altered the landscape
of the ancient world and set the stage for the
evolution of these bizarre creatures.
The exhibit showcases some of the most
spectacular dinosaur discoveries and highlights
cutting edge scientific research from
the Southern Hemisphere during the last
two decades.
a) The Supercontinent of Pangaea and the Earliest Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs originated during the time when all the continents
were joined together to form Pangaea. As a result, early dinosaur
communities, dominated by coelophysoid theropods and
prosauropods, were globally distributed throughout the Triassic
period and the early Jurassic period.
The Ischigualasto Formation in Argentina contains some
of the oldest known dinosaur remains and is our best
window into the origin of dinosaurs. This section
features fossils of some of these earliest known
dinosaurs, including the carnivores Eoraptor and
Herrerasaurus, and the herbivore Pisanosaurus.
Although dinosaurs appear in the Triassic, they
were not the most dominant land animals at this
time. A number of other large reptile groups such
as the cynodonts, rhynchosaurs, and crurotarsans,
were much larger and more numerous, and may have
preyed upon some of these early dinosaurs.
b) The Concepts of Continental
Drift and Evolution in Isolation
This sub-section explains the
principles of plate tectonics and
evolution, and how these two forces
shaped the history of dinosaurs.
It includes examples of the same
kinds of fossils that spurred the
revolutionary idea of continental
drift.
Image: Herrerasaurus
© ROM Images

Section 2
The North-South Divide:
the Formation of Laurasia and Gondwana
In the first stage of continental break-up, the supercontinent
of Pangaea divided near the equator to form a northern land
mass (Laurasia) and a southern land mass (Gondwana). This
section describes the initial stages of the break-up, a process
that accelerates into Cretaceous time and sets the stage for
the evolution of dinosaurs of Gondwana. Dinosaur casts include
Cryolophosaurus (a meat-eating dinosaur from the Early Jurassic
of Antarctica) and a Massospondylus, illustrating the close
similarities of very widespread animals.
Cryolophosaurus
© ROM Images
Illustration: Cryolophosaurus
© Julius Csotonyi

Section 1 - Pangaea and the Origin of Dinosaurs
Showing the easliest dinosaurs
© ROM Images

Section 3
The Great Gondwana Dinosaurs
This, the largest section of the exhibit, focuses on the fragmenting
of Gondwana. Organized along geographic lines into three
major sub-sections — Africa, Madagascar, and South America —
this part of the exhibit profiles southern dinosaurs during
the same time slice.
a) Section Introduction
The fragmentation of Gondwana began in the early Cretaceous period, after the
southern continents had become largely isolated from those in the North. As
Gondwana broke into the individual landmasses of South America, Africa, and
Madagascar (along with Australia, Antarctica and India), their faunas began to
evolve in their own unique direction. During this time, each of the continents
became completely separated from each other. This splendid isolation resulted
in some of the most bizarre-looking and gigantic dinosaurs that we know of
today.
.
c) Madagascar: Late Cretaceous Island of Wonders
Unlike South America and continental Africa, which have reconnected to
other continents since the break-up of Gondwana, Madagascar has remained
isolated to the present day. The strange lemur-dominated fauna of Madagascar
today evolved under the same evolutionary conditions of biotic isolation as
the strange dinosaurs millions of years before. This section includes wonderful
specimens from the Late Cretaceous including complete skeletal casts of
Majungasaurus, Masiakasaurus, and Rapetosaurus. The amazing plant-eating
crocodilian, Simosuchus, is also featured, as is a cast of Rahonavis. These
specimens were discovered by Dr. David Krause and his team in the
last fifteen years.
d) The Giants of South America
This, the largest part of Section 3, highlights the most famous dinosaurs
from South America, an area where enormous sauropods were the
dominant herbivores and horned abelisaurids, huge raptors and gigantic
carcharodontosaurids (such as Giganotosaurus) were the top carnivores.
Specimens include: Amargasaurus, Buiteraptor, Carnotaurus and
Austroraptor. This section also includes a touchable vertebrae
from an Argentinosaurus.
b) The Dinosaurs of Africa
This section features dinosaurs from Gadoufaoua, a rich fossil locality in
Niger, Africa, that dates back 130 million years. Thanks to the discoveries by
Dr. Paul Sereno and his team in the last fifteen years, these are some of the
best-preserved dinosaurs from Africa and include 75 million year old fauna
of crocodiles, birds and amphibians. Specimens
include Ouranosaurus, Malawisaurus,
Nigersaurus (skull only), Suchomimus
and Carcharodontosaurus (skull only).
Images: Majungasaurus
© Lucille Betti-Nash

Section 4
Reprise – Dinosaurs and Drifting Continents
The final section of the exhibition illustrates the difference
between northern and southern dinosaurs by presenting a
dramatic face-off between the mega-predators Tyrannosaurus rex
(from the north) and Giganotosaurus (from the south). Here
visitors determine for themselves which one was the biggest
carnivorous dinosaur of all time. During the Late Cretaceous,
the familiar tyrannosaurs were the dominant carnivores in North
America, while the plant-eating hadrosaurs (duck-bills) and
ceratopsians (horned dinosaurs) were the dominant herbivores.
This contrasts with the Gondwana fauna, where the dominant
carnivores were Giganotosaurus and its relatives and the
sauropods were the dominant plant-eaters.
While adding drama, this final section links the two narrative
threads of continental drift and evolution that run through the
exhibit. Specimens include Giganotosaurus and T. rex, and an
original skull from an Edmontosaurus.
North
T. Rex
South
Giganotosaurus
Illustration: Concept sketch of the southern environment featuring
Giganotosaurus by artist Julius Csotonyi. © Julius T. Csotonyi

CAST LIST
Ultimate Dinosaurs: Giants from Gondwana
Section 1 - The Supercontinent of Pangaea & Origin of Dinosaurs
LENGTH WIDTH HEIGHT
Eoraptor 1m 20cm 50cm
Herrerasaurus 3m 40cm 1.8m
Pisanosaurus 6m 1m 2m
Prestosuchus 5m 1m 1.25m
Section 2 - The Pangaea North-South Divide: the formation
of Laurasia and Gondwana
LENGTH WIDTH HEIGHT
Cryolophosaurus 7m 1m 3m
Massospondylus 5m 1m 1.75m
Section 3 - Gondwana Fragments
The Dinosaurs of Africa
LENGTH WIDTH HEIGHT
Ouranosaurus 7m 1.5m 3.5m
Malawisaurus 12m 2m 3m
Nigersaurus (skull only) 0.5m 0.5m 0.5m
Suchomimus 9m 2m 3.5m
Carcharodontosaurus 1.6m 0.75m 1.5m
(skull only)
Madagascar: Late Cretaceous Island of Wonders
LENGTH WIDTH HEIGHT
Majungasaurus 7m 1.5m 2.5m
Masiakasaurus 2m 30cm 1m
Rapetosaurus 8m 1.25m 2.5m
Simosuchus 1.5m 0.5m 0.5m
Rahonavis 1m 0.5m 0.5m
The Giants of South America
LENGTH WIDTH HEIGHT
Amargasaurus 9m 1.5m 3m
Buitreraptor 1m 0.5m 0.5m
Carnotaurus 7m 1m 2.5m
Austroraptor 5m 75cm 1.75m
Section 4 - Reprise - Dinosaurs and Drifting Continents
LENGTH WIDTH HEIGHT
Tyrannosaurus rex 12m 1.5m 4m
Giganotosaurus 14m 1.5m 3.5m
Additional specimens
LENGTH WIDTH HEIGHT
Lystrosaurus (skull) 13cm 7cm 15cm Original fossil
Mesosaurus #1 (stereosternum) 49cm 4cm 22cm Original fossil
Mesosaurus #2 18cm 2cm 9cm Cast skeleton
Glossopteris #1 47cm 3cm 39cm Original fossil
Glossopteris #2 21cm 3cm 23cm Original fossil
Megatherium 25cm 10cm 13cm Original fossil
Glyptodont 44cm 10cm 55cm Original fossil
Dracovenator #1 14cm 1cm 8cm Cast skull bone
Dracovenator #2 11cm 2cm 5cm Cast skull bone
Dracovenator #3 15cm 2cm 10.5cm Cast jaw
Dracovenator #4 7cm 2cm 5cm Cast partial skull
Massospondylus (skull) 22cm 8cm 13cm Cast skull
Hamadaosuchus (skull) 22cm 8cm 13cm Original fossil
Elosuchus (skull) 52cm 23cm 23cm Original fossil
Aegisuchus (skull) 32cm 30cm 12cm Original fossil
Onchopristis 25cm 20cm 4cm Original fossil
Ceratodus 5cm 5cm 3cm Original fossil
Lepidotes #1 (skull) 13cm 8cm 8cm Original fossil
Lepidotes #2 (scale) 10cm 8cm 3cm Original fossil
Argentinosaurus (vertebrae) 1.2m 41cm 46cm Cast vertebrae
Futalognkosaurus (leg) 75cm 75cm 4.5m Cast leg
Edmontosaurus (skull) 1.19m 36cm 53cm Original fossil
Exhibition size: 930 - 1,115 m 2 (10,000 - 12,000 sq.ft)
Ceiling height: 4.4 m (14’-6”) minimum

Floor Plan
(as presented at the ROM)
Photographs of the Exhibition © ROM Images
E
B
D
A
C
Section 1 The Supercontinent of Pangaea and the Origin of Dinosaurs
— showing a life-like prehistoric environment.
CONTINENTAL DRIFT INTERACTIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Introduction
Section 1
Pangaea and the Origin of Dinosaurs
TRIASSIC PERIOD — 250-200 MYA
Section 2
The North-South Divide
JURASSIC PERIOD — 200-145 MYA
Section 3
The Great GONDWANA DINOSAURS
CRETACEOUS PERIOD — 145-65 MYA
Section 4
REPRISE – DINOSAURS AND
DRIFTING CONTINENTS
LATE CRETACEOUS PERIOD — 145-65 MYA
Section 2 The North-South Divide: the Formation of Laurasia and
Gondwana — dinosaurs shown drifting apart on continent-shaped
platforms.

Photographs of the Exhibition © ROM Images
Section 3 Gondwana Fragments — Africa — use of 3D lettering
for dinosaur’s name.
Section 4 North Reactive Wall — illustrations of prehistoric environment
create a large-scale exploratory, multi-user, reactive experience.
Section 3 Large Projection of herd of CGI dinosaurs — provides sense
of scale.
Section 4 North vs South Dinosaur Face-off

Multimedia Overview
1. Entry Experience
A large scale video projection, luring visitors into the world of the
Southern dinosaurs – establishing a mood of foreboding and anticipation.
• Lender will secure copyright and provide media player, audio amplifier and speakers.
• Host venue to supply projection wall/screen, projector.
3. Tectonic Plate Animation
Looping animation showing how the
slow-moving currents in Earth’s mantle
affect the continents.
• Lender will secure copyright and provide media player.
• Host venue to supply a monitor.
2. Continental Drift Animation
Looping animation (projection), with accompanying pop-up text
information, charting the breaking apart of Pangaea into the
world as we know it.
• Lender to supply media player and speakers.
• Host venue to supply projection wall/screen, projector.
4. Continential Drift
A single or multi-user experience where visitors explore the concepts
of evolution, tectonic plates and continental drift. The Timeline (single
user activity) focuses on geological stories with a scrubber or timeline
that populates the continents as they drift through time. Visitors can
select hotspots on the continents and receive additional information.
The Puzzle (multi-user experience) allows a group of visitors to work
together in reassembling Gondwana. Once the pieces are correctly
connected, an animation of the fossil record is presented along with
brief didactic content.
• Lender will supply all equipment.
• Host venue to supply projection wall/screen

5. Curatorial Vignettes
Live action and animated graphics, via multi-user interactive
screens imbedded on media decks, provide additional palaeobiological
information. These will be incorporated in all the
major sections of the exhibition.
• All equipment and hardware supplied by lender.
7. Palaeontology Documentary
Seated theatre. In-depth 3-5 minute film examines the science of
palaeontology, as seen through the work of experts in the field
in Patagonia.
• Lender will provide media player, speakers, audio amplifier and will secure copyright.
• Host venue to provide monitor and seating.
6. Prehistoric Environmental Projection
Video projections on screens mounted among the dinosaurs on the
Africa platform.
• Lender to supply screens and all equipment.
8. Projection of herd of CGI dinosaurs
Enlarged video projection of sauropods will immerse visitors into a
prehistoric environment and provide a sense of scale for these Southern
giants. Includes intimidating sound effects.
• Lender will provide media player, speakers, audio amplifier, sub-woofer and will secure copyright.
• Host venue to provide projector, additional speakers (optional) and projection wall/surface.

9. Skinning the Dinosaur
Augmented reality (AR) interactive where visitors have the ability to scan a
dinosaur cast through a tablet/screen and watch as the scanned segment
becomes covered in skin. Experience focuses on the detailed examination
of Carnotaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex and Giganotosaurus skin and body,
revealing relevant evolutionary traits these dinosaurs possessed. A
fast-paced experience that delivers bites of interpretive content.
• All equipment and hardware supplied by lender.
• Three plinths will house 3 tethered iPads each (9 total) and their associated computers.
10. Reactive Walls
A large-scale exploratory, multi-user, reactive experience. As visitors walk
towards the North vs South Dinosaur Face-off, they encounter two large
digital murals depicting dinosaur habitats. The scenes react subtly to the
visitors’ motion, inviting them to stop and explore. Depending on their
proximity to the screen, visitors can activate the environment, initiate
animated flora and fauna or prompt didactic content.
• Host venue to produce murals. Digital files to be provided by lender.
• All technology and hardware supplied by lender.
11. Contemporary World in Motion
Large-scale looping projection of animated glode spinning, showing
the continuing continental drift as we move into the future.
• Lender will provide media player and will secure copyright.
• Host venue to provide projector and projection wall/surface.

Accompanying Guidebook
Highlights from the Ultimate Dinosaurs exhibition are captured in a full-colour
published guidebook. The guidebook is 80 pages in length and includes
photographs of the most iconic objects along with extended label copy
about the exhibition and introductory text that sets the stage for the show.
Dimensions of guidebook 5”x8”. Customization of booklet to include
information on host venue is possible.
A sample guidebook can be sent to host venue for perusal.
Giganotosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex casts in
production at Research Casting International (RCI).
© ROM Image 08/2011

Tamara Onyschuk
Manager, Major Exhibitions
Royal Ontario Museum
416.586.5539
tamarao@rom.on.ca