2025-07-19T09:33:04Z

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Just imagine dishing out over $30 million for a dinosaur! A rare fossil of a Ceratosaurus, a fearsome predator from the Jurassic era, has been auctioned off for a staggering $30.5 million (₹263 crore) in New York. This isn't just any dinosaur; it's a nose-horned, sharp-toothed, bony-armored relic of the past!

The buyer, whose identity remains a mystery, intends to lend this prehistoric treasure to an institution—a move that sounds fitting, considering the ‘rarity and importance’ the specimen holds, as described by Sotheby’s auction house.

However, not everyone is thrilled. Professor Steve Brusatte of the University of Edinburgh expressed his concern over such sky-high prices, noting that museums simply can't compete. Despite vague assurances about public display intentions, Brusatte worries the skeleton might vanish, becoming a décor piece in some affluent individual's mansion or locked away in a vault, only to resurface at another auction, if ever.

Meanwhile, the same auction witnessed the sale of the largest Mars meteorite found on Earth for $5.3 million. And if you thought that was extravagant, a Stegosaurus fossil fetched an eye-watering $44.6 million in July 2024.

The sale of this young Ceratosaurus—one of only four known—is particularly fascinating. It's a relic from the Late Jurassic period, estimated to be 150 million years old. Standing 6 feet tall and over 10 feet long, this exhibit-ready skeleton boasts 139 bones, including a near-complete skull with 57 bones. The skeleton's remarkably preserved state adds to its allure.

Social media has been buzzing, with users speculating whether the buyer could be Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk and expressing skepticism about the hefty fees involved. This fossil had been exhibited in a Utah museum from 2000 to 2024 but intriguingly has never been formally studied in scientific research.

Complete with ownership documents and 3D scans, this specimen was expected to sell for $4 to $6 million but surpassed expectations amid fierce bidding competition. While this fossil's journey continues, the hope is it won't just end up as 'bare bones capitalism.'