Work to repair Crystal Palace dinosaur damaged complete

A replica prosthetic jaw has been fitted to the much-loved sculpture, one of 30 dinosaurs first unveiled in 1854.

The Megalosaurus’ face was damaged following a series of trespass incidents onto Dinosaur Island in May 2020, which were investigated by police as potential heritage crimes.

The damaged Megalosaurus

Dr Ellinor Michel, from Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, said: "Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs are thrilled to see the works completed. Hundreds of individuals responded to Meg's plight which enabled us to initiate this work alongside Bromley Council and Historic England.

“We feel this demonstrates the power of community action and we are happy that Meg can face the future whilst we continue to protect and promote the world's first dinosaur statues."

The prosthesis has been fabricated primarily from plastic, using white light scanning and 3D printing processes to recreate the fragmented section of the jaw.

Weighing a total of 12kg, it was reattached to the head of the Megalosaurus using metal hangers and iron rods.

The replacement sections have been painted to match the original features of the sculpture.

The £24,870 project was funded by £19,870 from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund and £3,500 from the Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, with the council covering the remaining costs.

Councillor Morgan, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said “We are delighted that these works have now been completed and the beloved Megalosaurus has been protected from dilapidating past the point of repair. I hope he will not be too fierce and terrify visitors!

Although there is much more work to be done to support the preservation of the Dinosaurs, the completion of these works helps to ensure the stability of the already fragile sculpture, in preparation for further conservation works in the coming years.

"The Council will continue to work alongside Historic England and the Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs to support this cherished community asset.”

It is unclear if the ancient reptile was intentionally damaged last year, or had succumbed to a pre-existing crack in the structure.

Weeks after the damage occurred in May, pictures emerged of men climbing the dinosaurs.

Built between 1852 to 1855 by sculptor and natural history artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, the statues are often looked as exemplifying advances in science since their creation.