Tyrannosaurus Rex Most Expensive Dinosaur Ever Sold
Image: BBC News
A skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex that roamed the planet around 67 million years ago has become the most expensive dinosaur ever sold, after fetching a record price at a Sotheby's auction in New York.
The sale eclipsed previous benchmarks for fossilised dinosaur specimens, underlining the intense demand among private collectors for scientifically significant remains. Auction houses have seen growing interest in such pieces, with several high-profile sales in recent years drawing both bidders and controversy.
The specimen, a near-complete predator from the Late Cretaceous period, offers a rare window into one of the most recognisable animals in Earth's history. Palaeontologists prize well-preserved tyrannosaur material because it helps reveal details about the creature's growth, diet and biology.
Not everyone welcomed the transaction. Scientists have long warned that the privatisation of important fossils can remove them from public view and research, depriving museums and universities of material that advances understanding of prehistoric life. Some institutions argue that landmark specimens belong in accessible collections rather than private hands.
Sotheby's said the buyer intended to ensure the skeleton remained available for study and exhibition, though details were not immediately disclosed. The auction house has in the past emphasised that it works with experts to document specimens thoroughly before they change ownership.
The record result is likely to intensify debate over how society balances the commercial value of fossils against their scientific and cultural worth. As demand from wealthy collectors climbs, the question of who owns the deep past is becoming harder to answer.