Magnificent Stegosaurus Skeleton Heading to Auction, Raising Debates

Thursday 11 July 2024 - 11:05

The paleontology world is abuzz with the impending auction of a truly remarkable dinosaur fossil. The largest and most complete Stegosaurus skeleton ever discovered, known as "Apex," is set to go under the hammer at Sotheby's in New York on July 17th. Standing an impressive 11 feet tall and stretching nearly 27 feet long, this 150-million-year-old fossil is expected to fetch between $4-6 million, a staggering sum that has some scientists raising concerns.

The sheer scale and exceptional preservation of this Stegosaurus specimen is nothing short of astounding. "If you combine size, completeness and bone preservation, it is the best Stegosaurus I've seen," remarks Rod Scheetz, curator at the Brigham Young University Museum of Paleontology. Boasting 254 fossil bone elements out of an estimated total of 319, Apex is a true paleontological treasure.

Discovered in May 2022 on the private land of Colorado-based paleontologist Jason Cooper, the excavation and preparation of Apex has been meticulously documented by Sotheby's. This, according to the auction house, ensures the "highest standards and transparency" surrounding the fossil's provenance. Cooper himself has a history of donating significant fossils to museums around the world.

Yet, the impending sale of Apex has sparked debate within the scientific community. Many paleontologists argue that such important specimens should be preserved in public institutions rather than sold to private collectors. "If what the auction house is saying is true, and what I'm seeing in these photos is genuine, then this skeleton really does belong in a museum, where it can be conserved, studied by scientists, and put on display to inspire people from all walks of life," says Steve Brusatte, a paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh.

The concern is that a private buyer could acquire Apex, effectively removing it from the public realm and restricting access for researchers and the general public alike. "I know how strapped for cash, in general, museums are. … Five or six million dollars is the sort of money that almost no museum in the world can afford to pay," laments Diego C. García-Bellido, a senior researcher of paleontology at the South Australian Museum.

However, Sotheby's and Cooper remain hopeful that a scientific institution will emerge victorious at the auction, either through direct bidding or via a donor-supported purchase. The auction house also notes that the successful buyer will receive a comprehensive 3D scan of the fossil, enabling continued collaboration and research opportunities.

Apex's auction comes on the heels of other high-profile dinosaur fossil sales, such as the 2020 record-breaking $31.8 million sale of the Tyrannosaurus rex "Stan." These transactions have fueled the debate over the proper stewardship of such irreplaceable paleontological treasures.

As the world eagerly awaits the outcome of Apex's auction, the fate of this magnificent Stegosaurus specimen hangs in the balance, with scientists and the public alike hoping that this priceless piece of prehistoric history finds its way into the hands of those who can ensure its preservation and continued study.