News summary produced by Claude AI
A 67 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex specimen has achieved a record price at auction, selling for £37.4m ($50.1m) at Sotheby’s in New York on Tuesday. The fossil, standing more than 12 feet tall, represents one of the most complete T. rex specimens ever discovered, with over 60% of its bones recovered according to the auction house.
The specimen, nicknamed Gus, was originally unearthed in 2021 on a remote ranch in South Dakota. Excavation efforts spanned three summers between 2021 and 2023, taking advantage of seasonal thawing to access the fossil site. Following extraction, the bones required an additional three years of laboratory work to be properly assembled and prepared for display.
The sale price surpasses the previous record established by a stegosaurus in 2024 and marks the first dinosaur fossil to exceed the $50 million threshold at auction. Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s worldwide head of science and natural history, attributed the valuation to the extensive time and resources invested in the specimen’s excavation and preparation. The fossil’s detailed examination revealed previously unknown aspects of the creature’s life, including bite marks on the skull and ribs that had been fractured and healed during its lifetime.
Scientists have indicated to the BBC that the transaction may signal an emerging trend of ultra-wealthy collectors acquiring significant paleontological specimens. The identity of the winning bidder has not yet been disclosed. Historical precedent suggests the specimen may eventually be made available for public viewing, as the previous record holder was loaned to a major museum for an extended period by its billionaire owner.