As someone who spends an enormous amount of time researching every addition to my family's nature and prehistoric collection, I don't make purchases like this lightly.
Over the past year I've devoted countless hours to studying the history of Dinosauria, the discoveries of Megalosaurus, Iguanodon, and Hylaeosaurus, and the remarkable work of William Buckland, Gideon Mantell, and Richard Owen. That research eventually led me to the original Megalosaurus bucklandii dentary in Oxford.
Unfortunately, the original specimen is, quite rightly, something that belongs in the Oxford museum. For private collectors, the closest connection we can have is through a scientifically accurate cast.
The challenge is that not all casts are created equal.
Some are sculpted from photographs. Others are simplified interpretations. Some lose important anatomical details entirely. I wanted something that was as faithful to the original specimen as possible.
That search led me to The Prehistoric Store.
Before purchasing, I asked John a long list of questions. I am an extremely inquisitive buyer, especially when it comes to fossils, casts, and scientific reproductions. Provenance, accuracy, and authenticity matter enormously to me.
To my surprise, John didn't just answer every question. He welcomed them.
He explained the history of the cast, provided additional information I hadn't even thought to ask, and was completely transparent throughout the entire process. At no point did I feel like I was simply making a purchase. I felt like I was speaking with someone who genuinely cares about paleontology and wants collectors to understand what they're buying.
That level of honesty and expertise earned my trust long before I placed the order.
I live in the United States, and there are companies here that produce similar replicas. I intentionally chose The Prehistoric Store because of John's transparency, knowledge, and obvious passion for getting these pieces right.
What made the experience even more meaningful was discovering that John wasn't simply answering my emails. He was also the paleoartist creating my cast. That is incredibly rare. In most cases, you're speaking with a salesperson or customer service representative, not the craftsperson who is actually making the piece you'll eventually hold in your hands.
Being able to ask questions directly to the artist, hear his thoughts, and then receive a cast that he personally created gave the entire experience a much more personal connection. As someone who documents the history and provenance of every piece in my collection, I don't just record the specimen. I also record the people behind it. John's name is now part of the documented history of this cast in my family's collection, and I think that's something rather special.
The international shipment took longer than expected because of circumstances outside anyone's control, but John stayed in contact, answered every email promptly, and did everything he could to help move things along. That level of customer service is becoming increasingly rare.
When the dentary finally arrived, it exceeded every expectation I had.
The craftsmanship is exceptional. The bone texture, weathering, proportions, and anatomical details are outstanding. It feels less like a commercial replica and more like something that belongs in a museum display.
Just a few days before it arrived, my family and I visited Dino Fest at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, where they have a cast of Megalosaurus bucklandii on display. Having studied photographs of the original Oxford specimen, I was honestly surprised by how much that museum cast differed from the original in its proportions and overall character.
This version is, in my opinion, noticeably closer to the Oxford specimen. That level of scientific fidelity is exactly what I had hoped to find.
This dentary is now part of my family's permanent collection. Every specimen and cast we own is researched, documented, catalogued, and preserved for future generations. I don't collect decorative dinosaur sculptures or artist interpretations. Every piece is tied to a real scientific specimen with a documented history. This cast fits that philosophy perfectly.
More importantly, this purchase introduced me to a maker I trust.
I'll absolutely be returning for future pieces, and I recommend The Prehistoric Store without hesitation to anyone who values historical accuracy, craftsmanship, transparency, and outstanding customer service.
Five stars feels inadequate. I wish there was a sixth star button to select.
