Controversy Surrounding the Sale of a Virtually Complete Stegosaurus Fossil

An extremely well-preserved Stegosaurus skeleton, considered the most complete of its kind, is set to be auctioned off this summer with an estimated price of up to $6 million. However, not everyone is pleased about it.

The dinosaur fossil, standing at 11 feet tall and measuring 20 feet in length, is described as "exceptional" and "virtually complete." It will be featured in Sotheby's annual Geek Week auction.

Paleontologists are concerned about selling these specimens to private buyers and believe they should be kept in museums or public spaces.

However, the auction of the 150-million-year-old fossil will still take place in New York on July 17.

Sotheby's announced on Wednesday that a Stegosaurus specimen, nicknamed Apex, will be up for auction. It is considered the "finest" of its kind and is expected to sell for between $4 million and $6 million, making it one of the most valuable dinosaur fossils ever offered for sale.

The Stegosaurus is known for its unique appearance, with a small head, bony plates along its back, and a spiked tail. It was a herbivorous dinosaur, feeding on plants during its time on Earth.

A commercial paleontologist named Jason Cooper discovered Apex on his private land in Colorado. Sotheby's was actively involved in the entire process from the beginning.

The auction house worked closely with Cooper to document every step, including the discovery, excavation, restoration, preparation, and mounting of the specimen. This ensured that the documentation and sale of the fossil were done with the utmost care and transparency.

This collaboration, it said, “continues Sotheby’s legacy of pioneering Natural History auctions.”

The fossil, nicknamed Apex, was discovered by a commercial paleontologist on his private land in Colorado.

The fossil, nicknamed Apex, was discovered by a commercial paleontologist on his private land in Colorado.

Sotheby’s

Some people have a different perspective on this.

According to Steve Brusatte, a professor at Scotland’s University of Edinburgh specializing in paleontology and evolution, the specimen is considered to be "an important dinosaur fossil." He highlighted that there are "far fewer well-preserved skeletons of Stegosaurus compared to other well-known dinosaurs like T. rex and Triceratops."

Brusatte believes that it is important for the skeleton not to be owned privately. He stated in an email to CNN on Thursday that if the auction house's claims are accurate and the photos show a genuine specimen, then the skeleton should be in a museum. This way, it can be preserved, studied by scientists, and displayed to inspire people from different backgrounds.

"It's really unfortunate when a valuable fossil like this one, which has the potential to teach and spark curiosity in many people, simply vanishes into the private collection of a wealthy individual."

The dinosaur fossil named "Apex" was uncovered in May 2022 in the Morrison Formation in Moffat County, Colorado, near the town of Dinosaur. It took over a year to carefully dig up the specimen, which showed signs of arthritis, indicating it lived a long life without any evidence of injuries from battles or predators.

The winning bidder will get a copy of the dinosaur's scan data and a full license to use any 3D data as they please. Sotheby's believes this will help keep important information with the specimen and encourage collaboration in research and education.

There were no signs of injury on the specimen but there was evidence of arthritis, which suggests the dinosaur lived to an advanced age.

There were no signs of injury on the specimen but there was evidence of arthritis, which suggests the dinosaur lived to an advanced age.

Sotheby’s

Brusatte believes that it would be beneficial for research and education if the fossil was owned by an institution specializing in dinosaurs. He mentioned that the wealthy individuals can easily outbid museums when such fossils are sold. Therefore, he hopes that if someone with the resources buys a fossil like this and finds it fascinating, they would consider donating it to a museum.

Imagine the pride of seeing your very own dinosaur on public exhibit, with your name shining bright as the hero who preserved this ancient creature for scientific study. It's a legacy that would truly be unforgettable as children and families marvel at the magnificent prehistoric beast.

London's Natural History Museum is famous for housing "Sophie," a similar fossil to "Apex" - although "Apex" is reported to be at least 30% larger, as stated by Sotheby's.

Courtesy Sotheby's

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Scientists are concerned about the million dollar auction of this dinosaur skeleton

Cassandra Hatton, the global head of science and popular culture at Sotheby’s, said that Apex is one of the best fossils ever found.

If you visit Sotheby’s New York galleries, you can see Apex for free as part of the exhibition for the items being sold during Geek Week.

Sotheby’s has a long history of leading the way in Natural History auctions. In 2022, they auctioned off an ancient Gorgosaurus skeleton for over $6 million. They also made headlines by selling the first standalone T Rex skull named "Maximus" in December 2022.

In 2020, Christie’s made history by selling Stan, the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, for a whopping $31.8 million. Initially, paleontologists were concerned that this important fossil would be lost to science. However, the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism announced in March their plans to showcase Stan as a main attraction in a new natural history museum set to open in Abu Dhabi in 2025, as reported by CNN.

Kristen Rogers and Yenny Sanchez contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

While this discovery has sparked excitement among dinosaur enthusiasts, it has also raised concerns within the scientific community. The auction of such a valuable specimen has highlighted the ongoing debate over the private ownership of fossils. Critics argue that these fossils should be preserved in public institutions, where they can be studied by researchers and accessible to the general public. They emphasize the importance of protecting these specimens as part of our natural heritage and ensuring they remain available for scientific research and educational purposes.

On the other hand, supporters of the auction maintain that private ownership allows for the preservation and display of these fossils, making them accessible to a wider audience. They argue that private collectors often provide funding for expeditions and research, contributing to the advancement of paleontology. Furthermore, they highlight that the winning bidder will receive a copy of the dinosaur's scan data and a full license to use any 3D data, which could facilitate further research and collaboration. The sale of Apex is expected to generate significant funds, which could be used to support future paleontological endeavors and inspire the next generation of scientists.