Rare Juvenile Dinosaur Fossil Fetches Nearly $30.5 Million at Auction

Ceratosaurus skeleton hammers for seven times its appraisal in New York City sale

A remarkably preserved fossil of a juvenile Ceratosaurus, a dinosaur that roamed Earth 140-156 million years ago, has shattered expectations at a Sotheby’s auction, selling for an astonishing $30.5 million. The sale, which concluded yesterday in New York, places this specimen among the most expensive dinosaur fossils ever traded.

A Prehistoric Prize

The auction house described the fossil as an incredibly rare find, especially considering its completeness and juvenile state. Sotheby’s vice president and head of their global science and history division highlighted the significance of the skull, which is crucial for research.

“On this planet, there is a fossil of 4 ‘Serotosaurus,’ but this ‘Seraotosaurus’ is the only one that is not yet full of adults. Which the fossil that is not yet full of age is almost impossible to survive through time And this person has a complete skull Which the skull is a part that has special research.”

—Unnamed Vice President and Head of Global Science and History, Sotheby’s

This particular Ceratosaurus specimen, unearthed in 1996 from a quarry in Wyoming, USA, had previously been displayed at the Museum of Ancient Life in Utah. It is considered the second most complete Ceratosaurus fossil discovered to date.

Understanding the Ceratosaurus

Known for its distinctive nasal horn and smaller horns along its back, the Ceratosaurus inhabited the planet during the late Jurassic to early Cretaceous periods. Its existence spanned a critical transition in dinosaur evolution.

The market for scientifically significant fossils continues to grow, reflecting a wider public fascination with paleontology. For instance, the discovery of a new species of tyrannosaur in 2022 was met with widespread excitement, underscoring the enduring appeal of these ancient creatures.