The world of paleontology is abuzz with news of the sale of Trini, Europe’s first complete T-rex skeleton. The sale was made by the Swiss auction house Kohler, and the final bid for the 11.6-meter-long and 3.9-meter-tall object was 5.55 million Swiss francs.
The Trinity T-rex skeleton can actually be seen and is described as “one of the best T. rex skeletons.” Made up of 293 different bones, the Trinity is intricately constructed from three separate T. rex specimens found in Wyoming and Montana during the dinosaur period in the United States. The bones were carefully excavated over several years between 2008 and 2013.
What sets the trio apart from other auctioned dinosaur bones is that more than half of the skeletons are genuine. This is a remarkable feat, as most dinosaur bones sold at auction are either partial or constructed from spare parts. This makes the Trinity specimen especially unique and valuable for collectors and scholars.
However, the sale of Trinity has caused concern among the scientific community because it is just one example of the trend of dinosaur fossils ending up in private collections. This trend worries scientists who believe that valuable scientific information may be lost if important specimens are not available for study and research.
The ownership and sale of dinosaur remains is a contentious issue, with arguments on both sides. Some argue that private collectors should be allowed to own and show these specimens, while others believe they should be housed in public museums for the benefit of the scientific community and the general public.
Regardless of one’s position on the subject, there is no doubting the amazing beauty and scientific significance of specimens like the Trinity. As we continue to uncover the mysteries of our planet’s history, we must keep in mind that these ancient species belong to all of us, and it is our job to guarantee that they are conserved and studied for future generations.