Sotheby's T. rex auction raises concerns over science funding and private ownership
Sotheby's is auctioning a rare 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, expected to fetch up to $30 million. The sale has drawn criticism from paleontologists concerned that hype and private collectors are acquiring fossils, limiting scientific access.
Auction house Sotheby's has put a rare 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, named Gus, up for auction. Described as one of the largest and most complete T. rex specimens ever found, Gus is expected to command a price of up to $30 million.
The sale of fossils under the hammer has generated concern among paleontologists. They argue that auction houses contribute to a trend where private collectors increasingly acquire these specimens. The worry is that when fossils are bought as luxury assets by private individuals, they become effectively lost to scientific research.
The Gus specimen, discovered on a ranch in South Dakota, comprises 183 fossil bone elements, making it approximately 61% complete by bone count. Replicas have been used for missing bones, and the skeleton is presented mounted in a custom armature.
This high-profile sale highlights ongoing debates about the commercialization of scientific discoveries and the potential impact of private ownership on public access to paleontological resources and research.