The historic, century-old Dinosaur Hall was closed in Spring 2005 for over two years of renovation and construction, resulting in the spectucular new exhibit Dinosaurs in Their Time. The new exhibit illustrates the incredible diversity of life in the Mesozoic Era, placing the dinosaurs in dramatic new, scientifically accurate poses amidst the hundreds of plant and animal species that shared their environments.

Click here to relive this historic renovation on our Web cam archives!

In the century since the discovery of Diplodocus carnegii, scientific interpretations of dinosaurs and their lives have changed remarkably. Dinosaur Hall has been transformed into Dinosaurs in Their Time, a dramatic exhibit arena that reflects current scientific evidence of these colossal creatures and their environments. For instance, we now know that Diplodocus did not drag its tail through Jurassic swamps, and the sheer size of Tyrannosaurus rex casts a shadow of doubt on its reputation as a Cretaceous killing machine.

The continental and climatic changes that affected the evolution of species over time are also addressed, as well as the other extraordinary life forms that shared their environment, including birds, fish, amphibians, turtles, plants, and even mammals. The museum's vast fossil collections, combined with its scientific expertise, guarantee an exhibit that accurately interprets the incredible record prehistoric animals left behind and integrates the dinosaurs into the ancient ecosystems in which they lived.

• Check out the Web Cams for an up-to-the-minute view of the construction, and visit the official Dinosaurs in Their Time Web site often!
• Learn about Carnegie Museum of Natural History's first dinosaur at This is your life, Diplodocus carnegii and take a look at our Reading List for books that will help you in your study of dinosaurs.
• Visit the online companion for the past, present, and future of Dinosaur Hall: Carnegie's Dinosaurs: a world treasure

Dinosaurs lived from about 225 to 65 million years ago, during the Mesozoic Era. In that tremendous span of time, a great variety of dinosaurs evolved—over 370 species of these "terrible lizards" have been named.

The 78-foot-long Diplodocus was one of the longest animals that walked the Earth, and the more famous Apatosaurus, commonly known as Brontosaurus, nearly equals it in length. Towering above them all is Tyrannosaurus rex, the "Tyrant King of the Dinosaurs." For decades, this creature has fueled the fascination of generations of museum visitors and inspired the dreams of budding scientists.

Check out Dinosaur Activities for information on Carnegie Museum of Natural History's programs, classes, and events.

Read about Dinomite Days and how this event celebrated Carnegie Museum of Natural History's reputation for scientific excellence, while showcasing the talents of established and emerging artists.

Visit the Section of Vertebrate Paleontology Web site to learn about our staff and their research.

Go to the Dinosaurs in Their Time Web site for more information on the exhibit renovation, including press releases and photos.