Phys.orgIndependentCenter3 hr. ago'Gus', a nearly complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton measuring 38 feet (11.6 meters), sold for $50.1 million at Sotheby's in New York, setting a new record for the most expensive dinosaur fossil auctioned. Discovered in 2021 on a cattle ranch in South Dakota, the specimen is 63% complete and includes 183 fossilized bones. The sale occurred amid growing interest in dinosaur fossils, though some paleontologists criticize the trend for sending specimens to private collections rather than scientific institutions. The previous auction record was held by 'Apex,' a Stegosaurus sold for $44.6 million in 2024. The anonymous buyer underscores the U.S.'s unique legal framework allowing landowners to claim ownership of fossils found on their property.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the auction of a dinosaur fossil without overtly favoring any political ideology. While it mentions the legal status of fossils in the U.S., it does not take a clear stance on the broader debate over fossil ownership or its implications for science. The
BBC News (World)State / PublicCenter4 hr. agoA 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex fossil, known as 'Gus,' was sold at a Sotheby's auction in New York for £37.4 million ($50.1 million), setting a new record as the most expensive dinosaur ever sold. The fossil, which is considered one of the most complete T. rex specimens found, stood over 12 feet tall and had over 60% of its bones recovered. Discovered in 2021 on a ranch in South Dakota, the excavation process took place over three summers between 2021 and 2023, followed by three additional years of laboratory preparation. The fossil showed signs of past injuries, including bite marks and healed rib fractures, likely from encounters with other dinosaurs or scavengers. While the identity of the buyer remains undisclosed, there is speculation that the fossil could eventually be displayed in a museum, similar to the previous record-holder, a stegosaurus owned by billionaire Kenneth Griffin.
Bias read (Center): The article discusses the sale of a dinosaur fossil, focusing on scientific aspects such as the completeness of the specimen, the excavation process, and insights into the prehistoric creature's life. There is no mention of political figures, policies, or contentious issues, and the content is fact-
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