Unexpected Icons
Collection: The Crystal Palace Iguanodon Condition Survey
The ADS archive contains some unexpected and rare treasures. Putting pay to the idea that archaeologists don't study dinosaurs, the Crystal Palace Iguanodon depicted here, is from a collection that contains data on the structural condition of the Standing Iguanodon, arguably the most iconic of 32 concrete scupltures built between 1850-1854 for Crystal Palace. The collection even includes a 3D model, allowing you to 3D print your own Iguanodon, which is exactly what we did!
In Crystal Palace, London, there are 32 concrete sculptures of prehistoric creatures created between 1850 and 1854. This includes the world’s first full scale model of a dinosaur. The ADS collection contains the structual condition survey of the Standing Iguanodon, the most loved and important dinosaur amongst the 32 statues. The survey mapped and monitored all the cracks that formed on the surface during a period of 3 months. The survey found that over the course of the three months 41% of the cracks showed an increase in dimensions, and scholars recommended that the ground underneath the Standing Iguanodon be stabilised in order to stop the damage.
The Crystal Palace Iguanodon Condition Survey collection contains the raw photogrammetry images used to create the 3D model, as well as the 3D model, alongside a report and spreadsheets on the results of the survey, and a thesis discussing the methodology of the survey
"I like this collection because it shows the Iguanadon at a single moment in time and is a non-invasive, cost effect way in which to monitor the condition of the statue. It is one of the first examples of this methodology and I can see it having great re-use value." Leontien Talboom, ADS Digital Archivist.
