Documentary backdrop image for Did Raptorex Really Exist? (2018)

201814 minGdoc-short

archaeology evolution

Did Raptorex Really Exist?

201814 minGdoc-short

Paleontologists debate whether the fossil LH PV18 belongs to the theropod Tarbosaurus bataar or represents a distinct species, Raptorex kriegsteini.

archaeology evolution

Genres

Channel: PBS Eons

Did Raptorex Really Exist?

2018• 14 minG

Synopsis

Paleontologists debate whether the fossil LH PV18 belongs to the theropod Tarbosaurus bataar or represents a distinct species, Raptorex kriegsteini.

Synopsis

Paleontologists have debated the classification of the fossil LH PV18 for nearly a decade, questioning whether it belongs to the theropod Tarbosaurus bataar or represents a distinct species, Raptorex kriegsteini. This examination highlights the complexities of fossil dating and classification methods. Gregory S. Paul and Nobu Tamura contribute illustrations and paleoart, respectively, to enhance the understanding of these prehistoric creatures. The analysis of LH PV18 sheds light on the ongoing discussions within the paleontological community regarding theropod evolution.

Comments

What are people saying?

Play More Like This

Undiscovered Dinosaurs Revealed (2026)

Undiscovered Dinosaurs Revealed

Pterodactyl sightings, alleged living dinosaurs, and mysterious human-dino tracks are examined alongside strange carcasses in a compilation of intriguing evidence.

Undiscovered Dinosaurs Revealed

Could You Survive On Hateg Island? (2025)

Could You Survive On Hateg Island?

In the Late Cretaceous Period, Hateg Island served as a hunting ground for a giant pterosaur, presenting unique survival challenges for its inhabitants.

Could You Survive On Hateg Island?

Unearthing the Killer Elite: Predators Beyond T-Rex (2024)

Unearthing the Killer Elite: Predators Beyond T-Rex

In Argentina, the Giganotosaurus emerges as a formidable rival to the T-Rex, while the Linder family’s discovery of Bambi sheds light on dinosaur family dynamics.

Unearthing the Killer Elite: Predators Beyond T-Rex

T-Rex Uncovered: The Ultimate Apex Predator (2024)

T-Rex Uncovered: The Ultimate Apex Predator

Palaeontologists in the Badlands reveal new insights into the T-Rex's power, speed, social behavior, and the possibility of feathers, challenging long-held beliefs.

T-Rex Uncovered: The Ultimate Apex Predator

Secrets of the Deadly T-Rex: King of the Dinosaurs (2024)

Secrets of the Deadly T-Rex: King of the Dinosaurs

66 million years ago, a huge inland sea covered much of Wyoming, preserving dinosaur bones and footprints from the Tyrannosaurus rex.

Secrets of the Deadly T-Rex: King of the Dinosaurs

The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs (2025)

The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs

Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops are analyzed through fossil evidence and expert insights to determine the true nature of these iconic prehistoric predators.

The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs

Grave Secrets of Dinosaurs (2011)

Grave Secrets of Dinosaurs

A 67-million-year-old dinosaur specimen, known as Dakota, is studied using advanced imaging techniques to reveal insights about its life and environment.

Grave Secrets of Dinosaurs

The Strange Tail of Spinosaurus (2020)

The Strange Tail of Spinosaurus

Only one known skeleton of Spinosaurus exists, discovered in 2013, but recent excavations in Morocco have revealed additional bones that could change its history.

The Strange Tail of Spinosaurus

Interview: From T. rex to Birds with Steve Brusatte (2026)

Interview: From T. rex to Birds with Steve Brusatte

Steve Brusatte, a paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh, discusses the evolution of dinosaurs into birds and his role as a consultant for the Jurassic World films.

Interview: From T. rex to Birds with Steve Brusatte

Extreme Dinosaurs (2011)

Extreme Dinosaurs

Paul Sereno has uncovered nearly 100 tons of dinosaur material in Africa, including the Spinosaurus, which challenges traditional views of dinosaur habitats.

Extreme Dinosaurs

Apollo and the Oracle of Delphi (2025)

Apollo and the Oracle of Delphi

In ancient Greece, the Oracle of Delphi was a significant religious center where priestesses conveyed prophecies from the god Apollo.

Apollo and the Oracle of Delphi

Why Did Nasa Secretly Send 6 Men To The Bottom Of The Ocean In 1969? (2026)

Why Did Nasa Secretly Send 6 Men To The Bottom Of The Ocean In 1969?

In July 1969, NASA conducted a secret experiment involving six men in the PX-15 submarine, exploring the depths of the Gulf Stream for 30 days.

Why Did Nasa Secretly Send 6 Men To The Bottom Of The Ocean In 1969?

Explore Did Raptorex Really Exist?

Where else to watch

Dinosaur 13 (2014)

Dinosaur 13

2014•1h35m•★6.9TMDB

A 10-year legal battle ensues after the federal government seizes the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever found.

Planet Dinosaur: Ultimate Killers (2012)

Planet Dinosaur: Ultimate Killers

2012•53m•★8.1TMDB

The Spinosaurus, the largest predator to ever walk the Earth, roamed during the Cretaceous period alongside the feathered Microraptor from China.

Planet Dinosaur: Ultimate Killers

The Real T Rex with Chris Packham (2018)

The Real T Rex with Chris Packham

2018•59m•★7.6TMDB

Fossils suggest that the Tyrannosaurus Rex could grow up to 40 feet long, prompting a reevaluation of its physical traits and social behaviors.

The Real T Rex with Chris Packham

T-Rex: An Evolutionary Journey (2016)

T-Rex: An Evolutionary Journey

2016•50m•★7.8TMDB

Two dinosaur brothers illustrate the evolutionary path of the Tyrannosaurus, one of the most iconic dinosaurs in history.

T-Rex: An Evolutionary Journey

Lost Beasts Unearthed (2023)

Lost Beasts Unearthed

2023•44m•★10.0TMDB

Archaeological digs reveal details about extinct animals like the Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Tasmanian tiger, along with the myths surrounding them.

Lost Beasts Unearthed

Egypt's Lost Pyramid (2019)

Egypt's Lost Pyramid

A 4,000-year-old pyramid contains a burial chamber that appears sealed, yet its artifacts suggest signs of disturbance within.

Egypt's Lost Pyramid

Ancient Origins: Mankind's Mysterious Past (2022)

Ancient Origins: Mankind's Mysterious Past

2022•1h10m•★8.0TMDB

Archaeologists present evidence of advanced societies that existed before recorded history, challenging the belief that Mesopotamia is the cradle of civilization.

Ancient Origins: Mankind's Mysterious Past

Browse more like this

Undiscovered Dinosaurs Revealed (2026)

Undiscovered Dinosaurs Revealed

Pterodactyl sightings, alleged living dinosaurs, and mysterious human-dino tracks are examined alongside strange carcasses in a compilation of intriguing evidence.

Undiscovered Dinosaurs Revealed

No digital watch option in your country

T-Rex Uncovered: The Ultimate Apex Predator (2024)

T-Rex Uncovered: The Ultimate Apex Predator

Palaeontologists in the Badlands reveal new insights into the T-Rex's power, speed, social behavior, and the possibility of feathers, challenging long-held beliefs.

T-Rex Uncovered: The Ultimate Apex Predator

No digital watch option in your country

Secrets of the Deadly T-Rex: King of the Dinosaurs (2024)

Secrets of the Deadly T-Rex: King of the Dinosaurs

66 million years ago, a huge inland sea covered much of Wyoming, preserving dinosaur bones and footprints from the Tyrannosaurus rex.

Secrets of the Deadly T-Rex: King of the Dinosaurs

No digital watch option in your country

The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs (2025)

The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs

Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops are analyzed through fossil evidence and expert insights to determine the true nature of these iconic prehistoric predators.

The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs

No digital watch option in your country

Grave Secrets of Dinosaurs (2011)

Grave Secrets of Dinosaurs

A 67-million-year-old dinosaur specimen, known as Dakota, is studied using advanced imaging techniques to reveal insights about its life and environment.

Grave Secrets of Dinosaurs

No digital watch option in your country

Extreme Dinosaurs (2011)

Extreme Dinosaurs

Paul Sereno has uncovered nearly 100 tons of dinosaur material in Africa, including the Spinosaurus, which challenges traditional views of dinosaur habitats.

Extreme Dinosaurs

No digital watch option in your country

Dino Death Trap (2007)

Dino Death Trap

2007•52m•★8.0TMDB

Nearly 40 species of dinosaurs and ancient reptiles, including ancestors of T. rex and triceratops, were found stacked four to five high in the Pit of Death.

Dino Death Trap

Dinosaur! (1985)

Dinosaur!

1985•1h•★7.5TMDB

A 2,000-pound hadrosaur uses its strong tail to knock over a Tyrannosaurus rex in a dramatic scene from this 1985 television documentary.

Big Al (2000)

Big Al

2000•1h•★7.8TMDB

145 million years ago, an adolescent Allosaurus, later named Big Al, was found perfectly preserved in a dried-up river bed in 1991.

Dinosaur Secrets Revealed (2002)

Dinosaur Secrets Revealed

2002•1h30m•★8.0TMDB

Dinosaurs existed for about 150 million years before their extinction 66 million years ago, with fossil evidence reshaping our understanding of their evolution.

Dinosaur Secrets Revealed

Dinosaurs Decoded (2009)

Dinosaurs Decoded

2009•45m•★5.7TMDB

A third of all known dinosaur species may not be distinct, prompting paleontologists to rethink their classification and understanding of evolution.

Dinosaurs Decoded

Is this your film?

If you made this film or hold the rights to it, we'd like to talk. We can license it and pay you a share of what it earns.

License it with us →