Arthritis-ridden dinosaur fossil sells for record-breaking $44.6 million

In a landmark auction at Sotheby’s in New York, the fossil of a remarkable Stegosaurus named ‘Apex’ fetched a staggering $44.6 million, setting a new record as the most valuable fossil ever sold at auction.

Discovered in 2022 on privately owned land near Dinosaur, Colorado, this nearly complete skeleton has captured the imagination of scientists and collectors alike. Nicknamed ‘Apex’ for its status among the most intact Stegosaurus skeletons ever found, this fossil represents a monumental discovery in paleontology.

The final price soared well beyond the pre-sale estimate of $4 million to $6 million, shattering the previous auction record for dinosaur fossils of $31.8 million, set by the Tyrannosaurus rex remains known as Stan, sold in 2020.

Unearthed by commercial paleontologist Jason Cooper, Apex measures an impressive 3.4 meters tall and spans 8.2 meters from nose to tail. This makes it over 30% larger than “Sophie,” a well-known Stegosaurus specimen previously displayed at London’s Natural History Museum.

The auction itself was a culmination of years of careful preparation and collaboration between Cooper and Sotheby’s.

Insights from the fossil: Apex’s legacy and health

Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s global head of science and popular culture, expressed her enthusiasm, “‘Apex’ lived up to its name today, inspiring bidders globally to become the most valuable fossil ever sold at auction.”

Examining Apex’s remains revealed fascinating insights into its life. The skeleton, comprising 254 fossil bone elements out of an estimated total of 319, belonged to a robust adult Stegosaurus.

Remarkably, it showed evidence of rheumatoid arthritis , particularly in the fusion of sacral vertebrae, suggesting Apex lived to an advanced age.

Surprisingly, there were no signs of combat injuries or postmortem scavenging, indicating a relatively peaceful demise.

The future of Apex: Preserving a prehistoric legacy

Following its record-breaking sale, Apex will remain in the United States under the care of an anonymous buyer who plans to lend the specimen to a U.S. institution.

As reported by The Guardian , the buyer emphasized, “Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America,” highlighting the specimen’s cultural and scientific significance.

Apex’s journey from the sands of Moffat County to the auction podium underscores the enduring allure of dinosaurs and the ongoing quest to understand Earth’s ancient past.

As a member of the Thyreophorans family, known for their distinctive back plates resembling shields, Apex represents a pivotal find in the study of armored dinosaurs.

Discoveries beyond borders

While Apex’s sale dominated headlines, another significant fossil discovery emerged in Brazil. Heavy rains in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul revealed a nearly complete dinosaur skeleton .

Led by paleontologist Rodrigo Temp Müller from the Federal University of Santa Maria, the team uncovered the fossil near a reservoir in the Brazilian municipality of Sao Joao do Polesine.

The dinosaur, believed to be one of the world’s oldest, dates back to the Triassic period, around 233 million years ago. Initial findings suggest it belongs to the Herrerasauridae family, early apex theropod carnivores that were top predators in their ecosystems.

“Initially, it seemed like just a few isolated bones, but as we exposed the material, we were able to see that we had an almost complete skeleton,” Müller told AP News . The well-preserved remains are likely the second-most complete Herrerasauridae skeleton ever found, offering valuable insights into the early evolution of dinosaurs.