Pittsburgh is an enormous fan of dinosaurs, and it all traces back to Diplodocus carnegii — the massive, long-necked sauropod discovered in an excavation funded by steel mogul Andrew Carnegie in 1899. A life-size statue of the dinosaur, nicknamed “Dippy,” sits outside the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and a reconstruction of its skeleton is displayed inside the museum.
The discoveries still continue today! A paleontologist with the museum recently co-led a team who found a new dinosaur species in China — Jian changmaensis. This feathery creature is similar to a velociraptor and lived more than 120 million years ago. Researchers found part of a shoulder and forelimb, which they believe will help them learn more about how birds evolved to fly.
You can see a replica of this fossil at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and have more dino-mite fun this summer at the events below ⬇️
DinoFest at Carnegie Museum of Natural History
All ages are welcome at this immersive, day-long celebration of paleontology and prehistoric life on June 13. Visitors can interact with museum scientists, explore active research, and discover how fossils help us understand Earth’s history. Don’t miss the PaleoLab talks to learn about how the museum cares for the fossils on display.
Scraposaurs at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
See 15 sculptures of prehistoric creatures, from dragonflies to Triceratops, across the garden’s 65 acres of stunning green space. The installation is created by artist Dale Lewis and made from recycled metal and found objects. Be sure to see the shiny pterodactyl on your way in and look for her nest and babies hidden in the gardens! It’s on display through Oct. 31.
Dinosaurs! at Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
Check out over 30 giant creatures from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods towering above exhibits throughout the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. The display runs until September 7 and includes photo opportunities, fossil dig pits, and more activities.
DinoMite Dinosaur Sculpture Tour
Have you ever noticed the colorful dinosaur sculptures placed all over Pittsburgh? The Carnegie Museum of National History led a public art project in 2003 called DinoMite Days, and you can still see some of these figures around town. I wrote about how you can take a DIY tour in my book, “100 Things To Do in Pittsburgh Before You Die.” One of my favorites is the Ketchupsaurus at PPG Place!
