Dinosaur Trio Sells for £12.4 Million at Auction

Fossils from a group of three dinosaurs have been sold for over £12 million at an auction. These ancient skeletons, estimated to be approximately 150 million years old, achieved a price of £12.4 million ($15.7 million) at Christie’s in London. All three skeletons — two Allosaurus and one Stegosaurus — were unearthed from the same location in Carbon County, Wyoming. They were then transported to London in 12 crates, where they underwent reconstruction. James Hyslop, Head of Science & Natural History at Christie’s, remarked: “It is humbling to stand in the presence of these ancient giants and marvel at the wonders of our Earth’s past.” The Allosaurus and Stegosaurus fossils represent two of the most easily recognized dinosaurs from the Late Jurassic era, dating back approximately 150 million years. The Allosaurus, frequently regarded as a predecessor to the formidable Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex), was a dominant predator during its period, distinguished by its sharp claws and a powerful bite. Meanwhile, the Stegosaurus is considered an iconic herbivore, whose armored plates and spiked tail provided defense against predators and aided its adaptation to a challenging environment. “There is no complete dinosaur skeleton,” Mr. Hyslop clarified, explaining that all three fossils have been augmented with cast, sculpted, and 3D-printed materials, and are displayed on custom frames. In terms of their fossil composition, the Stegosaurus possesses around 144 bone elements; the adult Allosaurus has about 143, with the juvenile version containing 135. Dinosaur bones can command millions in sales, but auction transactions have faced criticism from some experts. They argue that fossils often end up in private collections, which subsequently restricts researchers — and the public — from accessing these significant discoveries. “The problem is these specimens go on sale for huge amounts of money, far more than museums can afford,” Dr. Susannah Maidment, from London’s Natural History Museum, informed the BBC in 2019. However, Mr. Hyslop stated that, in his experience, “the majority of private collectors active in this area are keen to share their passion.” He added: “In the case of the two most recent dinosaurs sold at Christie’s – Stan, the T-Rex, and a raptor skeleton – both are now in the care of museums, or on public display.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.