Recent dinosaur-related news has included several incidents, such as the TV Tokyo program "13.7 Billion Years of History" introducing the Iguanodon as a carnivorous dinosaur and even meticulously explaining that it killed its prey with its thumb spike, which astonished dinosaur fans. Also, there was the favorite T-Rex skeleton model on the autopsy table in "Galileo", and a dinosaur briefly appearing in the animation explaining amber with insects in "Amachan". However, what had the biggest impact on me was, without a doubt, the upgrade of turtles from "Anapsids" to "Archosauromorphs". As a result of genome sequencing, turtles, which had previously been considered primitive reptiles, dismissed as unintelligent, and seen as the epitome of slowness, were suddenly recognized as relatives of Archosaurs, the elite class of reptiles including dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and crocodiles.
Although this theory had apparently been gaining traction in recent years, for a dinosaur supremacist like me who didn't even notice turtles (after all, the only ancient turtles I could name were Archelon, Sinemys gamera, and Meiolania), who only had the childhood impression of turtles being anapsids, it came as a bolt from the blue. I deeply regret my past ignorance and will study by reading Professor Ren Hirayama's "The Path of Turtles."

Looking back, even when I visited reptile houses at zoos, I would bypass the turtles and head straight for the lizard and crocodile sections. Unknowingly, I was being disrespectful. So, this time, to apologize and celebrate, I decided to shine a light on the ancient turtle figures in my house that had been quietly stored on shelves in the shadow of dinosaurs. However, after searching everywhere, I only found 12. This is not because I disliked them and didn't collect them; in the case of turtles, while extant species are popular, extinct species are somehow unpopular and not often modeled. Indeed, apart from Sinemys gamera and Meiolania, a layperson would have difficulty distinguishing them from extant species. Incidentally, even Archelon is not in the lineup of Schleich, Safari, Papo, CollectA, or even Favorite, which release paleontology figure series.

Speaking of Archelon, it's the only ancient turtle that appeared in a movie. In "One Million Years B.C." (1966), as soon as it poked its head out of the sand dunes, the blonde, semi-naked cavewoman Raquel Welch called out "Archelon!", even though it was a million years before it was scientifically named. That regrettable scene remains in my memory. (Photo 1) Perhaps because of that, it has been modeled the most. (Although, if you search for Archelon models online, you'll find power suits.)

(Photo 2) One of Kaiyodo's 1/20 Dinosaur Series, a resin garage kit sculpted by Kazunari Araki. It's from the late 80s.

(Photo 3) On the left is the familiar Chocorex (2002), and on the right is French Starlux (70s. See Secret Treasure House Vol. 6 and New Secret Treasure House Vol. 8)

(Photo 4) Clover 1/50 Dinosaur Series (early 80s. See Secret Treasure House Vol. 38). I tried to mimic Archelon's famous photo using the bonus primitive human figure.

As for other "One Million Years B.C." merchandise, Marusan Shouten released a soft vinyl model at the time of the movie's release, which is now a treasure. About six months ago, I found one for 10,000 yen, but at the time, I wondered if I could really pay that much for a mere turtle... Maybe I messed up a bit, the re-released version is also out of print... (Photo 5) is an image I borrowed from the internet.

Even though there are many Archelon, this is all there is. In second place, with four figures, is Meiolania. This Australian turtle from the Cenozoic era is too cool to be just a turtle; personally, I prefer it over Ankylosaurus and Doedicurus (Glyptodon).

(Photos 6) and (7) are resin kits sculpted by Shinobu Matsumura, previously introduced in the Secret Treasure House. They're cool, and I think I did a good job painting them, so here are two poses from front and back.

(Photo 8) On the left is Chocorex (2001), and the other two are from the local Australian Yowie Lost Kingdoms Series (2000).

Unfortunately, there are only two figures of Sinemys gamera, named by a researcher who loves Gamera. Both are made by Kaiyodo.
(Photo 9) is a cold-cast finished product by Shinobu Matsumura. (Photo 10) is Chocorex.

Additionally, (Photo 11) shows an extinct species of softshell turtle from the Yowie Lost Kingdoms Series (scientific name unknown, indistinguishable from extant species).

(Photo 12) is one of the toy-sized dinosaur series that Schleich, a German company that now produces 1/40 dinosaur series and others, used to release. It's engraved with "Panzersaurier," but I have no idea what that refers to.
This is all of my ancient turtles... Feeling like something was missing, I also looked for models of Archosauromorphs other than turtles.

Due to its peculiar shape, Tanystropheus is relatively well-known, so I had about four of them.
(Photo 13) In the foreground is Safari, in the background is Kenner's JP series. Of course, they don't appear in the movie, but let's not quibble about that. (Photo 14) is Chocorex (left) and Starlux.

(Photo 15) On the left is Champsosaurus. On the right is Euparkeria. Both were included in Safari's "Prehistoric Crocodiles" tube. I had always thought Euparkeria was an Archosaur, but it seems it was demoted at some point, the opposite of the turtles.

And then, unexpectedly, Rhynchosaurs. Thanks to the Rhynchosaur Scaphonyx appearing at the "Exhibition of Earth's Oldest Dinosaurs" held in Roppongi three years ago, I was able to get event-exclusive gachapon (I regret not being able to complete the set) (Photo 16) and even this (Photo 17).

While doing research online for this article, I discovered a turtle enthusiast who also makes ancient turtle figures. They create figures of Proganochelys and Anomalochelys (both names I actually learned for the first time this time), and even the freshest oldest turtle, Odontochelys. They don't do mail order and sell a small number at events, so I hope to encounter them at an event someday.

Just as I finished writing and was about to check the manuscript, two more astounding paleontology news stories came to light.

"Are the ancestors of birds herbivorous Therizinosaurs?" is quite novel and interesting, but "Blood from a mammoth carcass!" is truly astonishing!

This is huge news!!