Dinosaur hunter stumbles across million-dollar find
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Dinosaur hunter stumbles across million-dollar find
Historic Stegosaurus Auction Set to Fetch Millions
The first-ever stegosaurus skeleton to be auctioned is expected to fetch millions of dollars in New York. This remarkable discovery was made by chance during a birthday stroll by fossil hunter Jason Cooper in the American Southwest, reports Stephen Smith.
A Dream Discovery
For many, discovering a dinosaur in the backyard is a childhood dream. For Jason Cooper, this dream has become a reality multiple times. Living in the American Southwest, he frequently encounters prehistoric creatures on his property. However, his most extraordinary find occurred a couple of years ago.
The Remarkable Stegosaurus
The stegosaurus Cooper found is colossal, comparable in size to a double-decker Routemaster bus. Dubbed “Apex” for its impressive dimensions, the stegosaurus measures almost 11.5 feet tall and 27 feet from head to tail. Remarkably well-preserved after 150 million years underground, Apex is set to become the first stegosaurus skeleton to be auctioned.
From Discovery to Auction
Cooper and his friends meticulously cleaned and reassembled Apex, preparing it for auction. The estimated price tag for this prehistoric marvel is between $4 million and $6 million. Dinosaur fossils have become highly coveted trophies among tech entrepreneurs and Hollywood stars, much to the dismay of academic paleontologists who fear that private ownership hinders scientific research and public appreciation.
A Fossil Hunter's Journey
Jason Cooper is a professional fossil hunter living in Colorado atop the Morrison Formation, a rich sedimentary rock formation dating back to the Jurassic period. Over the past twelve years, he has discovered ten dinosaurs on his property. The discovery of Apex, which began with spotting a femur bone on his 45th birthday, is his greatest find to date.
Unearthing Apex
The stegosaurus was found embedded in a cliff-face of clay, mud, and sand. After documenting the site, Cooper and his team carefully extracted the bones, which were then cleaned and reassembled in his workshop. The fossil, 70% complete, is considered highly rare and valuable.
Controversy and Significance
Despite the excitement surrounding the auction, some in the paleontological community express concern. Steve Brusatte, a professor of paleontology, argues that such rare specimens should be in museums to educate and inspire the public. However, in the US, fossil hunters are free to sell their finds, leading to debates about the preservation of scientific heritage.
Apex's Next Journey
Before Apex is showcased at Sotheby’s in Manhattan in July, it will be carefully disassembled and transported. The auction marks 200 years since the classification of dinosaurs began, highlighting the ongoing tension between private ownership and public education in paleontology.
As Apex prepares for its next journey, the sale will likely ignite discussions about the future of fossil discoveries and their role in both private collections and public institutions.
Historic Stegosaurus Auction Set to Fetch Millions
The first-ever stegosaurus skeleton to be auctioned is expected to fetch millions of dollars in New York. This remarkable discovery was made by chance during a birthday stroll by fossil hunter Jason Cooper in the American Southwest, reports Stephen Smith.
A Dream Discovery
For many, discovering a dinosaur in the backyard is a childhood dream. For Jason Cooper, this dream has become a reality multiple times. Living in the American Southwest, he frequently encounters prehistoric creatures on his property. However, his most extraordinary find occurred a couple of years ago.
The Remarkable Stegosaurus
The stegosaurus Cooper found is colossal, comparable in size to a double-decker Routemaster bus. Dubbed “Apex” for its impressive dimensions, the stegosaurus measures almost 11.5 feet tall and 27 feet from head to tail. Remarkably well-preserved after 150 million years underground, Apex is set to become the first stegosaurus skeleton to be auctioned.
From Discovery to Auction
Cooper and his friends meticulously cleaned and reassembled Apex, preparing it for auction. The estimated price tag for this prehistoric marvel is between $4 million and $6 million. Dinosaur fossils have become highly coveted trophies among tech entrepreneurs and Hollywood stars, much to the dismay of academic paleontologists who fear that private ownership hinders scientific research and public appreciation.
A Fossil Hunter's Journey
Jason Cooper is a professional fossil hunter living in Colorado atop the Morrison Formation, a rich sedimentary rock formation dating back to the Jurassic period. Over the past twelve years, he has discovered ten dinosaurs on his property. The discovery of Apex, which began with spotting a femur bone on his 45th birthday, is his greatest find to date.
Unearthing Apex
The stegosaurus was found embedded in a cliff-face of clay, mud, and sand. After documenting the site, Cooper and his team carefully extracted the bones, which were then cleaned and reassembled in his workshop. The fossil, 70% complete, is considered highly rare and valuable.
Controversy and Significance
Despite the excitement surrounding the auction, some in the paleontological community express concern. Steve Brusatte, a professor of paleontology, argues that such rare specimens should be in museums to educate and inspire the public. However, in the US, fossil hunters are free to sell their finds, leading to debates about the preservation of scientific heritage.
Apex's Next Journey
Before Apex is showcased at Sotheby’s in Manhattan in July, it will be carefully disassembled and transported. The auction marks 200 years since the classification of dinosaurs began, highlighting the ongoing tension between private ownership and public education in paleontology.
As Apex prepares for its next journey, the sale will likely ignite discussions about the future of fossil discoveries and their role in both private collections and public institutions.
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