Ben Miller
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extinctmonsters.bsky.social
Ben Miller
@extinctmonsters.bsky.social
4.1K followers 800 following 2.6K posts
Mostly posts about the art history of paleontology in museums. Exhibit developer at the Field Museum, opinions my own. Proudly from DC. he/him

Website: extinctmonsters.net
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extinctmonsters.bsky.social
I imagine we can all relate to Andalgalornis here
Cartoony illustration of Diatryma and Andalgalornis. The latter has a pink shirt on that says NO across the front and a shellshocked expression
November 24, 2025 at 9:11 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
The look I get when I tell him he's spent enough time guarding his plastic girlfriend
An iguana looking up incredulously while leaning on a plastic iguana about 2/3 his size
November 24, 2025 at 4:41 AM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
Opening day photo roundup continues. These are by Tom Kapitany. That's...a lot of Triceratops!
Panoramic photo of an austere museum hall with a few cut-outs of trees and lots of foliage shadows. Centerpiece is a platform with at least 5 Triceratops skeletons in various poses. Life size replication of a Triceratops in a resting pose. A smaller animal model, also lying down is visible behind it. Close up of Stan the T. rex, now mounted leaning forward as another rex takes a bite out of its neck. Austere platform with a pair of Ischigualastia skeletons being attacked by Herrerasaurus, with a swarm of smaller theropods in the foreground. I believe these are all cats. Camarasaurus skeleton and suspended marine reptile models in the distance.
November 22, 2025 at 5:03 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
And some intriguing non-dinosaurs. From www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARIK...
People walk between sparkling white museum displays. On the left is a case of taxidermy or replica modern animals, including a cassowary. On the right are habitat recreations without any barriers around them, possibly with projected elements. Men in thawbs in front of a curved projection screen showing a recreation of a Cenozoic landscape with a straight-tusked proboscidean of some sort A large group stands in a dark museum gallery. A map is projected on the back wall and a foreground case has a partial hominin skeleton laid out on a black slab.
November 22, 2025 at 3:51 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
A few more screenshots of this place from coverage of the royal family's visit
Fancy white interior with honeycomb shapes in the wall. Sauropod skeletons stand on plinths. Two thawb-wearing men pose in front. Continuation of the same space, with many dinoasur skeletons, most of which appear to be casts. An Acrocanthosaurus stands in the center of frame. Model pterosaurs are suspended overhead and there are balconies as well. Cast Deinonychus in running pose approaching a Tenontosaurus. Fish models hang overhead near a second level balcony. Continuation of the same space. Fossils are under glass in the floor. Stegosaurus and Torosaurus skeletons are identifiable to the left, an azdarchid model is suspended in the center. There is a shiny illuminated structure that looks like a shooting star contrail rising diagonally from the floor.
November 22, 2025 at 3:46 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
Pretend it says afrothere
Far side cartoon. Guy in front of alleyway says to passerby with briefcase, wanna buy a hoofed mammal? There are leashed artiodactyls in the alley
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
The Ward Scientific Company sold these Rhomaleosaurus casts to various museums starting in 1866 (for $150). The original at the National Museum of Ireland was broken up with sledgehammers during a move in the 1920s. #FossilFriday
Relief skeleton of a medium-necked plesiosaur, surrounded by ornate wood trim. Nearly identical plesiosaur cast, in a crowded case with other relief skeletons of marine reptiles, green text banners, and illustrations. Illustration of the same skeleton with a guy pointing a stick at it. Text says Plesiosaurus cramptoni No. 228.
November 21, 2025 at 2:12 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
Some images here from the new Natural History Museum of Abu Dhabi. This is where Stan and several other recent high-profile dinosaur sales went.
Museum display of two Tyrannosaurus skeletons, one biting the other in the neck, in front of a verdant projection wall. Looking up a staircase at a big room with a geometric dome-like roof, containing at least four sauropod skeletons A replica whale fall on a sloped platform with a suspended whale skeleton and model shark overhead Gallery with several replica Cenozoic mammals, including what looks like a Deinotherium and Sivatherium
November 20, 2025 at 11:08 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
The whale mostly speaks for itself, but I was surprised by the lack of interpretation. Most visitors won't recognize that this skeleton is in a lunge-feeding pose, or even what that is. Surely there could have been a photo, if not a video or AR overlay?
Some sort of rorqual lunge-feeding at the surface. The whale is on it's side, it's mouth open and it's throat hugely inflated. From https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Lunge-feeding-whales-Vertical-surface-breaking-lunging-by-a-humpback-whale-top-and_fig3_268581434 Small label. Text reads: Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus Rescued from the brink of extinction in the 1960s, the blue whale is a symbol of hope for the future of the natural world. Hunted for their meat, oil and baleen, numbers fell from around 350,000 to as few as 400 in the late twentieth century. Since becoming a protected species, blue whale numbers have started to recover. Population estimates were up to 25,000 at the start of the twenty-first century. But threats such as marine pollution and climate change linger - the blue whale remains a vulnerable and endangered species. Small label. Text reads: The blue whale represents the fragile status of the natural world, past, present and future. Wex tora, Irelanc On 26 March 1891, this 25-metre female blue whale beached on Swanton's Bank near the mouth of Wexford Harbour in Ireland. The skeleton was bought by the Museum à year later and was moved to its current position in Hintze Hall in 2017. The blue whale was chosen as the centerpiece of Hintze Hall because it highlights many of the big questions about the natural world and pus place in it. As well as the great whales being a long- standing evolutionary puzzle and keystone species in marine ecosystems, the decision to protect these magnificent species stands out as a bold commitment to a more sustainable future for our planet.
November 18, 2025 at 9:56 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
Having finally seen the finished display of "Hope" the blue whale, though, I understand the vision. This is a truly spectacular display that is perfectly suited to this space.
View of the suspended whale skeleton in the cathedral-like interior from the front entrance. Whale is overhead and head-on. Looking up at the whale from the floor at a slight angle Side view of whale skull and front of torso from upper mezzanine. Looking down on the whale from two stories up
November 18, 2025 at 9:45 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
To be clear, the manufactured controversy was a stroke of genius. It got people engaged with the institution, and made them think about their personal connection with this public space. And the museum got a decade of press out of it, especially when they started touring the Dippy cast around the UK.
Cast skeleton of a long-necked dinosaur on a glass-sided pedestal in the same gothic space.
November 18, 2025 at 9:35 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
10 years ago, the London NHM cleverly manufactured a controversy when they announced they'd be replacing Dippy the Diplodocus in their main hall with a blue whale skeleton.

Long story short, the whale rules, in spite of its notable handicap of not being a dinosaur. 🧵
Enormous whale skeleton suspended in a diving pose in a vast gothic space full of people
November 18, 2025 at 9:35 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
I tried to take a picture of every label like I usually do and within a couple minutes I was like screw it, let's just say they're all Stenopterygius
Homer simpson in hell, strapped to a chair with a big blue demon in overalls. Caption: So you like ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs, eh? Corridor with a wall covered with 20+ plesiosaur slab fossils of various sizes Corridor with a wall covered with ichthyosaur slab fossils of various sizes.
November 17, 2025 at 3:49 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
A couple years ago I happened upon this abandoned mastodon while wandering in the woods. I’m happy to discover that he’s since been relocated to brand new playground area, and that his name is Bimbo.
Sun bleached mastodon sculpture amongst some high grass Freshened up mastodon out in the open, with a bucket that says “peanuts for Bimbo”
November 15, 2025 at 11:43 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
Have a chunk of Megatherium skull with curiously sliced-off teeth collected by Chucky D himself #FossilFriday
A fairly nondescript chunk of lumpy brown rock. You can see the porous texture of the bone in some places, and there’s a row of big square teeth that look like they were sliced like a wire cutter through clay
November 14, 2025 at 2:27 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
On our end, we wanted to rapidly communicate how the extinction event played out in a way that was spectacular but not traumatic, so we landed on the immersive theater space with paper cutout-style animation. Really, really curious about AMNH's version!
November 13, 2025 at 3:29 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
Left: After the Age of Dinosaurs, Field Museum
Right: Impact: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs, AMNH

Given the project timelines I'd be shocked if there was any sort of plagiarism afoot, but it's uncanny how two teams can land on such similar solutions to the same storytelling problem.
Immersive, wrap-around screen showing a stylized animated scene of a forest enveloped in flames. There are low platforms for seating in front. Also people in inflatable T. rex and Spinosaurus costumes are watching, ignore those. Immersive, wrap-around screen showing a stylized animated scene of a forest enveloped in flames. There are low platforms for seating in front. Mixed age group of visitors is sitting around the room.
November 13, 2025 at 3:20 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
POV you are a very small Morrison fern
Low angle on a small ornithopod mounted skeleton from the front. It's in a case over a reflective dark surface.
November 12, 2025 at 2:15 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
Owen had the skeleton remounted with proper mastodon proportions, and it's been on near-continuous display ever since.
Proportionally correct mastodon skeleton seen from the front. Photographed in black and white in a long gothic hall with cross-hatched ceiling and sea creatures molded into the brickwork.
November 11, 2025 at 4:58 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
This handsome mastodon on display in London is one and the same as Missourium, a chimeric super-mastodon created by showman Albert Koch in 1840. Multiple skeletons were combined to extend its length to 40 feet, and the tusks were mounted sideways so they looked like aggressive tusks.
Profile view of a mounted mastodon skeleton, casting cool shadows on a gothic alcove. Same photographed from one floor up. An ornithopod dinosaur in a glass case is visible in the adjacent alcove. Illustration of Missourium, which is a mastodon with a much longer torso and tusks mounted sideways.
November 11, 2025 at 4:56 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
This label at the NHM is nice but it’s striking how tiny it is. However, holding and prominently advertising a gender and sex diversity tour is pretty cool!
The Natural History Museum and Colonialism The Natural History Museum was founded within the context of empire, colonialism and exploration. We recognise that the hallmarks of this legacy exist in our collections and galleries. We have started a review to understand the history of our institution. We will use this research to take a detailed look at our collection and our history in order to tell the full story of the origins of the Museum and the people represented within it. This project is one of many steps we are taking to make the Natural History Museum a diverse and inclusive institution, which is a fundamental part of our new strategy. If you would like to find out more about our work and approach, visit nhm.ac.uk/diversity-and-inclusion. Previous label is a six or eight inch circle on the wall near a staircase in a colossal hall Tour Meeting Point Meet here at the times posted below to join a free guided tour celebrating the diversity of the natural world and sciences. Tours last 45 minutes and are delivered by Learning Volunteers. 1 Free Tours Gender and Sexual Diversity Tour Discover the fascinating diversity of gendered roles and sexual behaviours in the natural world.
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
Genuinely impressed by how the small Hunterian and Horniman museums have managed to position themselves as agents for positive social change while owning up to their monstrous origins.
Display of contemporary Egyptian women’s garments under the title All Eyes On Her. Unwrapping Colonial Violence During Britain's occupation of Egypt (1886-1956), foreign archaeologists and collectors such as Frederick Horniman treated mummified ancient Egyptians like objects. Divine mummified Egyptians were taken, and used in medicine and brown pigment for paintings. They were publicly unwrapped, ignoring the religious beliefs of the dead. Their skulls were also measured to justify the racist idea that superior ancient Egyptians are not related to less civilized' modern Egyptians. The Horniman partnered with Egypt's Dispersed Heritage project, centring Egyptian views and voices through comics and work with community schools. Researcher Heba Abd el Garad and Egyptian artist Nasser Junior created these comic strips, inspired by an 1897 'unwrapping lecture' held by Frederick, and the coffin displayed here. This comic challenges the disrespectful The invasion of Benin City In 1897, British soldiers violently attacked the Kingdom and its people, set the royal palace on fire and stole thousands of priceless and sacred artefacts. These were purchased by European museums, some directly from officers who stole them. Between 1897 and 1899, the Horniman bought 72 items including bronzes, ivory and textiles. Most pieces in this display were looted. For decades, Nigeria has called for their return. In November 2022, the Horniman transferred their ownership to Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM). Some have been repatriated (physically returned) to Nigeria, whilst others are here on loan. After the invasion, Benin City was rebuilt, and its cultural traditions continue. The Hunterian Museum traces developments in surgery from ancient times to the present day. It takes its name from the anatomist and surgeon, John Hunter (1728-1793). Hunter's collection of specimens was bought by the British government in 1799 and transferred to the care of the Company of Surgeons, overseen by an independent board of trustees. It formed the foundation of the Museum which grew to be one of the world's most important collections of anatomy and natural history. The Museum contains thousands of specimens of human remains, gathered before modern standards of consent were established. We recognise the debt owed to those people - named and unnamed - who in life and death have helped to advance medical knowledge.
November 10, 2025 at 1:40 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
This thing reallly ought to be the centerpiece of NHM’s new dinosaur hall when it opens in 5-10 years. Sophie seems kind of lonely out by the secondary entrance!
Same skeleton from balcony above. We can see that it is standing in a speech bubble shaped rise in the middle of its circular platform.
November 8, 2025 at 5:36 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
Sophie is pretty extraordinary: both as a fossil (I believe still one of only 3 substantially complete Stegosaurus ever found) and as a display. The mount by Brock Sisson really captures the vibe an angry, cornered, not-especially-bright reptile.
Stegosaurus mounted skeleton, forelimbs bent and tail up. On a layered white platform in front of an image of Saturn Same from reverse angle. Constellations on the wall behind
November 8, 2025 at 5:32 PM
extinctmonsters.bsky.social
One of these is a picture of the very first scientifically recognized dinosaur fossils (Iguanodon teeth), collected by the Mantells in 1820. I’m not sure which because they appear in two different galleries and neither is labeled as a cast. #FossilFriday
Two chunky herbivore teeth in matrix, plus a thumb spike, mounted in a museum case An identical pair of teeth in matrix but with better lighting
November 7, 2025 at 6:59 PM