Museum of the Rockies receives grant for ‘Big Al’ exhibition

BOZEMAN - Montana State University's Museum of the Rockies has received a $63,075 grant from the David B. Jones Foundation to support the creation of "A Dinosaur Makeover: Face to Face with Big Al," a new exhibition focused on one of the world's most famous dinosaurs.

Big Al is one of the most complete and scientifically significant specimens of Allosaurus ever discovered. Big Al was excavated from public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management in the 1990s and has since become internationally recognized through extensive paleontological research and popular media appearances.

Research conducted on the specimen revealed that Big Al endured a remarkably difficult life, surviving numerous injuries and infections before its death during the Late Jurassic Period, including broken ribs and other skeletal trauma. In the early 2000s, Big Al was featured in the acclaimed television special "The Ballad of Big Al," which aired on the Discovery Channel and the BBC.

The Museum of the Rockies will use 3D scanning technology to digitally reconstruct Big Al's distorted skull. The fossilized skull became compressed and misshapen over millions of years underground. Using a scientific process known as retrodeformation, museum researchers and technicians will digitally un-smush the skull to restore it to its original anatomical form, creating the most accurate reconstruction of Big Al's skull to date.

Visitors can observe the 3D scanning process firsthand, engage with the Museum of the Rockies' 3D technician and scan their own fossil casts in the interactive exhibit.

The exhibit will also feature a life-sized, hyper-realistic bust of Big Al created by paleoartist Brian Engh of Living Relic Productions. Engh is celebrated internationally for his scientifically informed dinosaur reconstructions and artwork featured in museums and publications around the world.

"The ability to combine advanced technology, scientific research and immersive storytelling allows us to bring visitors closer than ever before to one of the most iconic dinosaurs in the world," said Scott Williams, senior director of exhibitions and interim executive director for the Museum of the Rockies. "We are deeply grateful to the David B. Jones Foundation for supporting this exciting project."

The exhibition installation will roll out in phases throughout summer 2026:

• The reconstructed Big Al skull and bust will debut in late June.
• The life-size reconstruction by Engh will open in mid-to-late July.
• The interactive scanning experience will be completed by the end of summer.

For more information about the Museum of the Rockies, visit museumoftherockies.org.