Two dinosaur reconstructions may differ for understandable reasons

Compare museum images with their captions still attached. A difference in colour or restored detail can reflect an acknowledged artistic decision, so the question is what each representation claims and what evidence supports it.

Differing colours may reflect artistic choices rather than preserved evidence.

Compare the documentation, not just the pictures

Read the accompanying explanation before judging differences. Reconstructions can combine documented features with clearly acknowledged artistic decisions.

Read the captions. Compare features. Mark supported and uncertain details.

What does each caption confirm? Focus on one feature.

Do not assume every difference is an error.

Resources

• Fossil Clue Partner Game — Use the paper clues as a classroom evidence model.

Further reading

• Smithsonian — palaeontology teaching resources

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