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Record sale of Ceratosaurus fossil at auction
A rare Ceratosaurus fossil sells for $30.5 million, raising accessibility concerns.
A Ceratosaurus fossil has been sold at auction for $30.5 million, raising questions about the future of dinosaur research.
Ceratosaur fossil auction sets record at $30.5 million
A Ceratosaurus fossil, one of only four known to exist, has sold for $30.5 million at Sotheby’s in New York. The specimen is the only juvenile Ceratosaurus among the four and was estimated to sell for only $4 million to $6 million. The auction involved a fierce competition among six bidders that lasted six minutes. This rare fossil, discovered in 1996 in Wyoming, features a nearly complete skull and is approximately 10 feet long. Following the sale, it was announced that the buyer plans to loan the fossil to an institution for public display. Sotheby's has stated that this auction reflects a growing interest in natural history collections among investors.
Key Takeaways
"My fear is that this skeleton will disappear into the ether."
Steve Brusatte expresses concern about the fossil's private ownership potentially limiting public access.
"The market for fossils acted as a catalyst for research in public institutions."
Mark Westgarth highlights the positive impact of fossil sales on research and public interest.
"The buyer of the Ceratosaurus intends to loan it to an institution."
Sotheby’s confirmed the buyer's intent to keep the fossil accessible for public display.
"At the top end of the market seems to be about an increasing desire for distinction."
Mark Westgarth discusses the trend of high-value fossil sales among collectors.
The sale of the Ceratosaurus fossil highlights an intriguing intersection between private collecting and public accessibility. The buyer's intent to loan the fossil to a museum raises hopes for its future educational use, yet concerns about ownership linger. Experts worry that with such high selling prices, significant specimens could end up locked away in private collections rather than serving the wider community. As Mark Westgarth pointed out, the appeal of these fossils lies in their aesthetic and scientific value, yet the market dynamics might hinder accessible research.
Highlights
- A world where dinosaur fossils fetch millions is not for everyone.
- Natural history meets investment in the dinosaur fossil market.
- The journey of this fossil continues with its public loan proposal.
- Can high auction prices jeopardize scientific access to fossils?
Concerns about future public access to fossil
The high price of the Ceratosaurus fossil raises fears that it will remain in private collections rather than being accessible for education and research.
The future of such fossils may depend on balancing private ownership with public educational access.
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