Latest news with #Ceratosaurus
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Science
- News.com.au
Eye-watering sum rare ceratosaur fossil sold for at auction
A rare Ceratosaurus fossil, one of only four known to exist, has sold at $46.5 million at a Sotheby's auction. Described in a statement by the auction house as 'one of the finest and most complete examples of its kind ever found,' it vastly surpassed the estimated value, which was listed last month at $6 million to $9 million. The dinosaur fossil was discovered in 1996 on privately owned land in Albany County, Wyoming, in Bone Cabin Quarry, an area known to be a rich source of fossils due to its location in the Morrison Formation, a rock unit from the Late Jurassic Period. The carnivorous predator is a theropod, a term classed for a diverse group of dinosaurs characterised by thin-walled bones and the ability to stand and run on their two hind limbs. The Ceratosaurus weighed up to two tons, and was easily distinguished by its nasal crest, elongate teeth, and a row of sharp bones running down the middle of its back and tail. It also featured a fourth clawed finger, which differed from its three-clawed theropod peers. While the $46.5 million price tag may seem steep, it's far from the first of its kind. Last year, Sotheby's made history with the stegosaurus fossil 'Apex', which fetched $68 million, nine times more than the presale estimate. In 2020, a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil, popularly known as 'Stan', was sold by auction house Christie's for $48 million. Mark Westgarth, an Associate Professor in Art History & Museum Studies at the University of Leeds, told CNN that the successful sale falls in line with the recent revival of interest in fossils and natural history. 'At the top end of the market … seems to be about an increasing desire for 'distinction,'' said Westgarth. 'These dinosaur specimens also have a particular aesthetic — they are sculptural and awe-inspiring.' There were six hopeful bidders competing for the Ceratosaurus, both online and over the phone. Cassandra Hatton, Vice Chairman and Global Head of Science and Natural History at Sotheby's said that there was an upturn in the number of people who registered to participate in the auction. 'I've had so many people who'd started off in this market who completely stopped because they'd been burned,' Ms. Hatton told the New York Times. 'A lot of those people who were excited years ago and got turned off are coming back.' The specimen, which is the only juvenile of its kind, has not been studied or described formally in publication, Sotheby's revealed. While the identity of the winning bidder has not been revealed, Ms Hatton has shared that the buyer intends to loan the specimen to a museum.
Mint
19-07-2025
- Science
- Mint
Anonymous buyer spends ₹263 crore to own 150-million-year-old dinosaur fossil; ‘Bezos or Musk?' wonders social media
A very rare dinosaur fossil has been sold for $30.5 million ( ₹ 263 crore) at an auction in New York. It was a Ceratosaurus, a meat-eating dinosaur with a horn on its nose, sharp teeth and bony armour on its back and tail. The buyer wants to loan it to an institution, which is suitable for a specimen of this 'rarity and importance', Sotheby's auction house said. Professor Steve Brusatte has called such high prices shocking. The dinosaur expert from the University of Edinburgh feels museums cannot afford them. 'While I'm pleased that the buyer might loan the skeleton to a museum to be put on display, at this point, it is just a vague suggestion. The buyer is still anonymous,' Brusatte told CNN. He fears the fossil may end up hidden in a rich person's home and never be seen by the public again. 'My fear is that this skeleton will disappear into the ether, into the mansion of an oligarch or a bank vault to accumulate value as just another investment in the portfolio of a hedge fund, and not see the light of day until it's auctioned again, or maybe never at all,' he added. A Mars meteorite, the biggest found on Earth, was sold for $5.3 million in the same auction. In July 2024, a Stegosaurus fossil named Apex was sold by Sotheby's for $44.6 million ( ₹ 380 crore). Social media wondered who the buyer was. 'Bezos or Musk?' asked one YouTube user. Another called it 'bare bones capitalism'. 'Are you telling me Sotheby's got 4 million in fees?' asked one user as the official price differed from what was seen in the auction video. This fossil is special because it's the only young Ceratosaurus among the four known in the world. It is over 150 million years old. It belongs to Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian Stage, estimated to have existed 154-149 million years ago. The fossil is 6 feet tall and over 10 feet long, with 139 bones. Its skull is almost complete with 57 bones. It is an 'exceptional, exhibition-ready mounted skeleton', according to Sotheby's. The skull has 43 teeth, along with 5 extra loose teeth. Its sharp teeth and horned nose are clearly visible. The bones are well-preserved, dark in colour and show fine details. Sotheby's says it is one of the best and most complete fossils of its kind. It was expected to sell for $4 to $6 million. However, it got much more after six bidders competed, CNN reported. It was shown at a museum in Utah from 2000 to 2024. Surprisingly, scientists have never formally studied this fossil in a research paper. Experts believe the fossil belonged to a young dinosaur due to the delicate bone structure. The skeleton has been carefully mounted in a dramatic pose with jaws open. It includes ownership documents, x-rays, 3D scans and legal certification. According to Sotheby's, the dinosaur skeleton is offered with full ownership rights.
Mint
19-07-2025
- Science
- Mint
Anonymous buyer spends ₹263 crore to own 150-million-year-old dinosaur fossil; ‘Bezos or Musk?' wonders social media
A very rare dinosaur fossil has been sold for $30.5 million ( ₹ 263 crore) at an auction in New York. It was a Ceratosaurus, a meat-eating dinosaur with a horn on its nose, sharp teeth and bony armour on its back and tail. The buyer wants to loan it to an institution, which is suitable for a specimen of this 'rarity and importance', Sotheby's auction house said. Professor Steve Brusatte has called such high prices shocking. The dinosaur expert from the University of Edinburgh feels museums cannot afford them. 'While I'm pleased that the buyer might loan the skeleton to a museum to be put on display, at this point, it is just a vague suggestion. The buyer is still anonymous,' Brusatte told CNN. He fears the fossil may end up hidden in a rich person's home and never be seen by the public again. 'My fear is that this skeleton will disappear into the ether, into the mansion of an oligarch or a bank vault to accumulate value as just another investment in the portfolio of a hedge fund, and not see the light of day until it's auctioned again, or maybe never at all,' he added. A Mars meteorite, the biggest found on Earth, was sold for $5.3 million in the same auction. In July 2024, a Stegosaurus fossil named Apex was sold by Sotheby's for $44.6 million ( ₹ 380 crore). Social media wondered who the buyer was. 'Bezos or Musk?' asked one YouTube user. Another called it 'bare bones capitalism'. 'Are you telling me Sotheby's got 4 million in fees?' asked one user as the official price differed from what was seen in the auction video. This fossil is special because it's the only young Ceratosaurus among the four known in the world. It is over 150 million years old. It belongs to Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian Stage, estimated to have existed 154-149 million years ago. The fossil is 6 feet tall and over 10 feet long, with 139 bones. Its skull is almost complete with 57 bones. It is an 'exceptional, exhibition-ready mounted skeleton', according to Sotheby's. The skull has 43 teeth, along with 5 extra loose teeth. Its sharp teeth and horned nose are clearly visible. The bones are well-preserved, dark in colour and show fine details. Sotheby's says it is one of the best and most complete fossils of its kind. It was expected to sell for $4 to $6 million. However, it got much more after six bidders competed, CNN reported. It was shown at a museum in Utah from 2000 to 2024. Surprisingly, scientists have never formally studied this fossil in a research paper. Experts believe the fossil belonged to a young dinosaur due to the delicate bone structure. The skeleton has been carefully mounted in a dramatic pose with jaws open. It includes ownership documents, x-rays, 3D scans and legal certification. According to Sotheby's, the dinosaur skeleton is offered with full ownership rights. Originally found in 1996, it was held by a museum and later by Fossilogic LLC, who finished and displayed it in 2024–25.
Economic Times
19-07-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
Rare juvenile dinosaur 'Ceratosaurus' fossil sells for $30.5 million at Sotheby's auction
Reuters Juvenile Ceratosaurus fossil sells for $30.5M at Sotheby's auction A rare juvenile Ceratosaurus fossil believed to be the only one of its kind sold for a jaw-dropping $30.5 million at Sotheby's on Wednesday(July 16).The fossil, uncovered in 1996 at Bone Cabin Quarry in Wyoming, is one of only four known Ceratosaurus skeletons ever discovered and the only juvenile among them. Measuring over six feet tall and nearly 11 feet long, the 150-million-year-old relic includes 139 fossilized bone elements, 57 of which form what Sotheby's calls a 'superb, virtually complete skull.'Described by the auction house as 'one of the finest and most complete examples of its kind ever found,' the dinosaur far surpassed its $4 million to $6 million pre-sale estimate during a dramatic six-minute bidding war between six participants. It previously spent over two decades on display at the Museum of Ancient Life in Utah but has never been formally studied in scientific nasicornis was a carnivorous dinosaur known for its distinctive nasal horn, long teeth, and bony armor along its spine and tail. The species roamed North America during the late Jurassic Sotheby's says the unnamed buyer intends to loan the fossil to an institution, paleontologists remain cautious. 'Who has that kind of money to spend on a dinosaur? Certainly not any museums or educational institutions,' said Steve Brusatte, a paleontology professor at the University of Edinburgh. 'My fear is that this skeleton will disappear into the ether into a mansion or a bank vault.'Still, auction officials argue the private market can play a vital role in preserving and promoting scientific specimens.'These stellar results underscore a deep and enduring fascination with the natural world,' said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's global head of science and natural history. 'What draws collectors is more than a passion for science; it's curiosity about the forces that shaped our planet.' The sale follows a trend of surging fossil prices, including last year's record-breaking $44.6 million sale of 'Apex,' a Stegosaurus skeleton that now resides at the American Museum of Natural History. 'Bottom line,' said Brusatte, 'a world where dinosaur skeletons can fetch tens of millions of dollars is not a world where dinosaurs will long be accessible to educate and inspire everyone.'
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rare juvenile dinosaur 'Ceratosaurus' fossil sells for $30.5 million at Sotheby's auction
A rare juvenile Ceratosaurus fossil believed to be the only one of its kind sold for a jaw-dropping $30.5 million at Sotheby's on Wednesday(July 16). The fossil, uncovered in 1996 at Bone Cabin Quarry in Wyoming, is one of only four known Ceratosaurus skeletons ever discovered and the only juvenile among them. Measuring over six feet tall and nearly 11 feet long, the 150-million-year-old relic includes 139 fossilized bone elements, 57 of which form what Sotheby's calls a 'superb, virtually complete skull.' Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Healthcare others Artificial Intelligence Data Science MCA Management Cybersecurity Public Policy Design Thinking Product Management Project Management PGDM Technology Data Science Operations Management Others Data Analytics Leadership CXO MBA Degree Digital Marketing Finance healthcare Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details Described by the auction house as 'one of the finest and most complete examples of its kind ever found,' the dinosaur far surpassed its $4 million to $6 million pre-sale estimate during a dramatic six-minute bidding war between six participants. It previously spent over two decades on display at the Museum of Ancient Life in Utah but has never been formally studied in scientific literature. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola Ceratosaurus nasicornis was a carnivorous dinosaur known for its distinctive nasal horn, long teeth, and bony armor along its spine and tail. The species roamed North America during the late Jurassic period. While Sotheby's says the unnamed buyer intends to loan the fossil to an institution, paleontologists remain cautious. Live Events 'Who has that kind of money to spend on a dinosaur? Certainly not any museums or educational institutions,' said Steve Brusatte, a paleontology professor at the University of Edinburgh. 'My fear is that this skeleton will disappear into the ether into a mansion or a bank vault.' Still, auction officials argue the private market can play a vital role in preserving and promoting scientific specimens. 'These stellar results underscore a deep and enduring fascination with the natural world,' said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's global head of science and natural history. 'What draws collectors is more than a passion for science; it's curiosity about the forces that shaped our planet.' The sale follows a trend of surging fossil prices , including last year's record-breaking $44.6 million sale of 'Apex,' a Stegosaurus skeleton that now resides at the American Museum of Natural History. 'Bottom line,' said Brusatte, 'a world where dinosaur skeletons can fetch tens of millions of dollars is not a world where dinosaurs will long be accessible to educate and inspire everyone.'
