Máximo, the titan of all titans, a colossal Patagotitan mayorum, holds the title as the most massive dinosaur ever discovered by scientists. This gentle giant, a herbivorous, long-necked dinosaur, roamed the ancient lands of Patagonia, Argentina, over 100 million years ago. Our tribute to Máximo stands proudly in Stanley Field Hall, stretching an awe-inspiring 122 feet across and towering at 28 feet in height at its head. This astounding cast, meticulously modeled from fossil remains unearthed in Argentina, serves as an imposing testament to the sheer size of Earth’s largest-ever creature, even surpassing the length of a majestic blue whale. In its prime, Patagotitan weighed a staggering 70 tons, equivalent to the combined mass of 10 African elephants, two of which are showcased alongside Máximo.
This exceptional exhibition is thoughtfully presented in both English and Spanish. La exhibición está presentada en inglés y español.
Patagotitan’s fossil femur is a whopping eight feet long. The reddish color of the bone comes from the iron-rich red clay in which it was found.
John Weinstein
Experience what it’s like to stand next to a giant.
Exhibition highlights:
- Stroll under and around the cast
- Find your favorite selfie spot with the world’s biggest dinosaur
- Watch a time-lapse of Máximo’s assembly
A Remarkable UnearthingThe story of the Patagotitan mayorum begins with a humble discovery on the Mayo family farm near La Flecha, Argentina. What initially seemed like a mere bone protruding from the arid desert soil soon unfolded into an epic treasure trove. When the observant rancher brought this fossil to light, it piqued the interest of scientists from the Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio, who ventured to the site. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Over 130 fossils were meticulously excavated, revealing the remains of at least six distinct sauropod dinosaurs of the same colossal species. Among the treasures unearthed were an impressive eight-foot-long femur and nearly complete sections of an exceptionally lengthy spine.
This unprecedented discovery led scientists to officially declare the titanosaur as a newly classified species, a historic moment commemorated in 2017. In naming it Patagotitan mayorum, a tribute was paid to both the bountiful Patagonia region and the Mayo family for their pivotal roles in this significant find. The cast of our titanosaur, crafted from these very fossilized bones, provides a tangible representation of the immense scale these remarkable dinosaurs achieved during the Cretaceous Period.