Palaeoart & Speculation
Understand that palaeoart — scientific illustrations and models of dinosaurs — is based on fossil evidence but involves informed speculation about skin colour, feathers, and soft tissues that don't usually fossilise
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“Does your child understand that pictures of dinosaurs are educated guesses? Can they explain what parts are based on evidence and what parts scientists have to imagine?”
Full guide and materials
- Activity. Understand that palaeoart — scientific illustrations and models of dinosaurs — is based on fossil evidence but involves informed speculation about skin colour, feathers, and soft tissues that don't usually fossilise
What to notice. Explain that bones and teeth are known from fossils but skin colour and soft tissues usually are not • State that recent discoveries of preserved skin impressions and feather fossils have improved reconstructions • Give an example of how our picture of a dinosaur has changed over time (e.g. feathered vs scaly Velociraptor)
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Does your child understand that pictures of dinosaurs are educated guesses? Can they explain what parts are based on evidence and what parts scientists have to imagine?
Understand that palaeoart — scientific illustrations and models of dinosaurs — is based on fossil evidence but involves informed speculation about skin colour, feathers, and soft tissues that don't usually fossilise
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Check understanding
- Explain that bones and teeth are known from fossils but skin colour and soft tissues usually are not
- State that recent discoveries of preserved skin impressions and feather fossils have improved reconstructions
- Give an example of how our picture of a dinosaur has changed over time (e.g. feathered vs scaly Velociraptor)
“Does your child understand that pictures of dinosaurs are educated guesses? Can they explain what parts are based on evidence and what parts scientists have to imagine?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Dinosaurs & Paleontology
- Age range
- Ages 9–11