Dinosaurs are a diverse group of reptiles of the clade Dinosauria. They first appeared during the Triassic period, between 243 and 233.23 million years ago, although the exact origin and timing of the evolution of dinosaurs is the subject of active research. The first dinosaur fossils were recognized in the early 19th century, with the name "dinosaur", meaning "terrible lizard", having been coined by Sir Richard Owen in 1841 to refer to these "great fossil lizards". Since then, mounted fossil dinosaur skeletons have been major attractions at museums worldwide, and dinosaurs have become an enduring part of popular culture.[1]
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The dinosaur skeletons were featured in Heavy Metal.
Still remain standing in 50 year after people as relic of a time long before humans walked on Earth, their metal armatures have kept them upright for decades but a disease is growing inside of the bones, called pyrite disease. It was named after mineral pyrite, also known fool's gold, and forms during the fossilization process as bacteria trigger a chemical reaction that replaces soft tissue with hard crystals. Jan Zalasiewicz stated that fool's gold is one of the common minerals form around decaying organisms and fossils. The pyrite will remain stable if fossils are kept under control but the presence of humid air cause the mineral to react with oxygen and expands creating growing crystals that cracks the bones from within. An example is in 1999 when a Triceratops skeleton, displayed in the Smithsonian Institution for almost 100 years had to be dismantled and conserve due to its bones ravaged by pyrite.
The fate of one such skeleton is sealed when it cracks and falls piece by piece to the ground, a consequence of of pyrite disease.
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