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 T. rex skeleton up for auction infographic
Graphic shows details of the auction.
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BUSINESS

T. rex skeleton up for auction in Europe for first time

By Jordi Bou

April 18, 2023 - A Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton is to go on sale in Europe for the first time, but scientists fear the bones could end up in a private collection, making any further study impossible.

The 67 million-year-old skeleton, nicknamed Trinity, will go on sale at the Koller auction house in Zurich, Switzerland on April 18.

At 3.9 metres tall, Trinity has been valued at between six to eight million Swiss francs ($5.4-$8.6 million).

The Trinity skeleton contains the bones of three separate creatures discovered in the Hell Creek and Lance Creek formations in Montana and Wyoming between 2008 and 2013. About half the bones are real; the rest are replicas.

Some experts believe the price tag could put Trinity out of the reach of most museums. They are concerned it will be sold to an ultra-wealthy buyer and join a growing list of scientifically invaluable fossils.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 15/03/2023; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Koller Auktionen
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