The Origin of Jurassic Park and the Evolution of Science at Crystal Palace

Join palaeontologist Cassius Morrison (University College London) for a fascinating talk exploring how the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs shaped science, culture, and imagination — from Victorian “Dinomania” to Jurassic Park.

Discover how the 1850s revelations of deep time and evolution transformed society and inspired generations of scientists and storytellers. Dr. Morrison will reflect on how the Crystal Palace sculptures continue to represent the evolution of science itself — ever changing, ever questioning — and how dinosaurs, even in extinction, continue to shape our world today.

About the talk:

The origin of Jurassic Park and evolution of Science at Crystal Palace

Jurassic Park captured the hearts and minds of millions of people and was the first film ever to gross over one billion dollars. Yet this was not the first time Dinomania swept the Globe. The discovery of geological time and the existence of the Age of Reptiles in the 1850s mesmerised Victorian England, giving rise the Darwin's theories of evolution, the existence of deep time and Lost worlds even beyond that of myths and legends. Crystal Palace was the first public monument and homage to the Prehistoric World, captivating them while simultaneously making them question long held social ideals and norms, challenging them and shaking western society's very foundations. The World has never been the same since.

Even though palaeontology and science has evolved, the Crystal Palace dinosaurs are a reminder of the very nature of science, its evolution and a living embodiment of how scientific thought changes with time.

Come and find out how the Crystal Palace dinosaurs, inspired generations of scientists, popular culture and the ongoing impact of Palaeontology has on the understanding of the living world around us. Dinosaurs ruled the world for over 130 million years and even in death they continue to shape and mould it, even when there is little left of them except bones and the limits of the human imagination.

About the speaker

Cassius (Instagram) is a palaeontologist, currently based at University College London and studying the ecology of theropod dinosaurs (this is the group that includes the famous Tyrannosaurus rex and Spinosaurus) and the ecosystem structures during the Age of Dinosaurs. He has applied state of the art techniques to look at the surface of dinosaur teeth and brain shapes to see what they were eating and how they thought.

Cassius has been fortunate enough to go fossil hunting around the Globe from South Africa to Montana in the United States, the home of Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops. In 2023, he appeared in the Channel 5 documentary, "Natural History Museum: World of Wonder".

Cassius is an activist in making science more accessible to all and addressing the historical underrepresentation of minority groups in Palaeontology and the Earth Sciences.

Due to the ongoing contruction works at the Geological Court, this event will take place in the Crystal Palace Concert Platform. We'll be in the indoor rooms so look out for our red flag and staff to help you find them from the Platform's stage. The rooms inside will be as heated as possible but warm clothing is advisable. The Platform is step-free but is accessed via a low bridge over water and there is some uneven paths and flooring. Please email producer@crystalpalaceparktrust.org with any questions.

This event is aimed at an adult audience but interested, older children welcome.

This event is made possible thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.