Paris Auction Feats: 150‑Myr‑Old Dinosaur Skeleton Fetches Over €2 Million
When a Fossil Takes the Spotlight (June 4, 2018)
Location: Eiffel Tower, Paris – the sale was conducted by Aguttes auction house.
Price: €2,000,000 (about S$3.1 million) – a record‑setting bid for a prehistoric slayer.
What Makes This Skeleton Worth Its Weight?
- Where It Came From: Discovered in 2013 during a quarry dig in Wyoming, USA.
- Age & Condition: Roughly 150 million years old and about 70 % intact—basically a walking museum-grade exhibit!
- Size: Over 9 meters long, towering 2.6 meters tall—long enough to scare your next kid‑friend.
- Potential Identity: Scientists suspect this might be a brand‑new species of carnivorous Allosaurus, but dinosaur experts argue it could be something entirely different—maybe a “giant lizard with a quirky swagger.”
- Humorous Insight: “Its differences from a classic Allosaurus are like the gap between a human and a gorilla,” joked palaeontologist Eric Geneste, noting its heavier build and unique jaw structure.
The Bidding Frenzy
It wasn’t just a French collector in the mix—Japanese and Swedish phone bidders jumped in, pushing the hammer past the €1.8 million estimate. By the time the deal closed, the final bid surpassed the initial €2 million goal.
Why Carnivores Grab the Edge
“Herbivores don’t exactly spark as much excitement among dinosaur buyers, but carnivores? They’re the ones that truly ooze the thrill. These folks want a ‘killer’ specimen to brag about,” remarked auctioneer Mickeler, recalling the 2016 sale of another Allosaurus named “Kan” that fetched €1.1 million.
Beyond the Sale – A Legacy
Some of the proceeds will go back into the field, funding further archaeological digs across the globe. A fossil that lived 150 million years ago bringing hope to the next generation of dinosaur hunters.
So next time you think about cars or phones, just remember—sometimes a fossil can make headlines and change history, all while being a real bundle of joy for the right collector.
