Imagine this: It’s 1854, a time before the concept of evolution and the word “dinosaur” had become widely known. In Victorian London, you take a stroll into Crystal Palace Park, where you’re greeted by remarkable statues of dinosaurs and ancient mammals. These sculptures, made from clay and brick, were a groundbreaking exhibit at the time, showcasing prehistoric creatures in a three-dimensional form. Despite the passage of 170 years, these statues still captivate visitors and continue to bring joy. Recently, the Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, along with conservators and scientists, added a new statue to the collection, replacing one that had disappeared in the 1960s.
A Revolutionary Journey Through Time
These statues, created by the talented artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins in the 19th century, form a remarkable geological walk spanning 260 million years. They amazed the public during their time, being the first of their kind.
According to Adrian Lister, a paleobiologist at the Natural History Museum in London, these sculptures were revolutionary and provided educational value to the Victorians. They were intended to entertain and inform visitors near the Crystal Palace, an exhibition space originally built for London’s Great Exhibition of 1851. Even though the actual palace no longer stands, the statues endure, representing the birthplace of large-scale “edu-tainment” that brought science to the masses.
While the accuracy of these statues isn’t up to modern scientific standards, that isn’t the point, according to Ellinor Michel, an evolutionary biologist and the chair of Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs. She emphasizes that science evolves and improves over time. Out of the original 38 statues, 30 remain, although they show signs of wear and tear after almost 170 years. Rusting iron and other issues have plagued these structures, creating a conservation challenge. However, the goal is to preserve the revolutionary spirit and impact these statues had in the 19th century.
Preserving the Past for the Future
Simon Buteux from Historic England, an organization focusing on England’s heritage, acknowledges the challenges in conserving these statues. However, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining the original sentiment of their revolutionary nature. They symbolize a fresh and cutting-edge perspective from the 19th century that still captures the imagination today.
One of the missing statues, Palaeotherium magnum, disappeared in the 1960s, leaving its whereabouts shrouded in mystery. To rectify this, Bob Nicholls, a prehistoric animal artist, proposed recreating the statue, and with the support of the Friends of Crystal Palace Park Dinosaurs, his vision became a reality. Utilizing available photographs from the 1950s and ’60s, Nicholls constructed a new fiberglass statue to resemble the original Palaeotherium magnum.
The recreated statue pays homage to the site’s historical significance and has received praise from paleobiologist Adrian Lister. With approximately half a million visitors annually, the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs continue to inspire awe and serve as a backdrop for cherished family memories. Despite the passage of time, these larger-than-life statues still ignite a sense of wonder and curiosity.
As the statues weather and show their age, local residents like Jenny Steel and Ian Baxter treasure their presence. The dinosaurs remain a beloved part of the community, captivating visitors of all ages. These statues endure as a testament to the Victorian era’s innovative and educational approach to science.
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