Dinosaur model goes on display

YOUR ALDI SHOPPING LIST

1kg Sweet Potatoes 1 Onion 3 Garlic Cloves, Crushed 2 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme 25g Butter, Plus Extra for Greasing 250ml Double Cream 150ml Milk 50g Grated Parmigiano Reggiano 1 tsp Salt 1 tsp Pepper

METHOD 1

Preheat the oven to 200˚C/Fan 180˚C/Gas mark 6. Dice the onion then melt the butter in a pan. Fry the onions with the garlic, thyme, salt and pepper for 10 minutes until they have softened. Add the milk and cream to the pan and warm to a simmer this will infuse the garlic and herbs in the cream. In the meantime, either use a mandolin or thinly slice the potatoes (about as thin as a 10p coin) and evenly layer half of the sweet potatoes into an ovenproof dish. Then pour half of the onions in the milk and cream over the top removing any large garlic pieces. Add the final slices of the sweet potato into the dish and pour over the remaining milk and cream. Grate the parmigiano reggiano over the top and bake for 40-45 minutes until the potatoes are soft all the way through.

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IT’S the detailed model that shows fully, for the first time, what a dinosaur that roamed Wales 200 million years ago may have looked like.

The recreation of Dracoraptor hangani can be seen perched on a rock alongside the National Museum Cardiff’s other dinosaurs in the Evolution of Wales gallery.

The bones of the Welsh dinosaur Dracoraptor hanigani (meaning dragon robber) were found in 2014 at Lavernock beach near Penarth by brothers Nick and Rob Hanigan.

The skeleton of the small meateating animal, which was the size of a large dog and a distant cousin of T Rex, is on display in the museum’s main hall.

Paleo-artist Bob Nicholls was commissioned to make the life-sized model. The project took months of painstaking work to ensure it was accurate, and scientists believe the body might have been covered in a feathery down, and possibly with quills along its back.

Measuring only about 70cm tall and about 200cm long, with a long tail to help it balance, it lived around 200 million years ago when South Wales had a much warmer climate.

Bob said: “There is no greater honour for a paleo-artist than to be the first to show the world what a long extinct animal looked like.

“In total, it took me three months to build dracoraptor. From preliminary research to sculpting, moulding and casting the model to adding feathers, glass eyes, and painting the exposed skin, it was a long process.

“I enjoyed seeing the completed version but I can’t wait to see the finished model on show at National Museum Cardiff when all the weeks of hard work will pay off.

“It may sound like a simple tale, but if you really think about it, it is astonishing to be a tiny part of this 200-million-year-old story and gives me goosebumps.”

Dr Caroline Buttler, head of palaeontology at Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, said: “It is amazing to see the dinosaur brought to life and this is one of the most realistic models I have ever seen. Visitors of all ages, children and adults alike are going to love it.

“The fossilised skeleton of the dinosaur, which is located in the main hall has proved very popular with visitors over the past year, so it’s great that they can see the model up close and see what it would have really looked like.

“The Welsh dinosaur has fascinated the public and museum palaeontologists and we really wanted a 3D reconstruction to bring the dinosaur to life. The model was made possible thanks to the generosity of Amgueddfa Cymru Patrons and the players of the People’s Post Code Lottery. We are very grateful for their support”. it