Dinosaur Art Sold at Auction from Pieces Found in Turkey

A 120-million-year-old dinosaur bone fragment, part of a fossilized skin sample from the Dinazor derisi site in Turkey, is set to be auctioned in an open bidding process, according to a report by Milliyet. The item, described as a “rare prehistoric artifact,” will be sold through a private auction house, with an estimated value exceeding 500,000 Turkish lira. The announcement has sparked debate among paleontologists and cultural heritage experts, who question the ethical implications of commercializing fossils.

The auction details were first disclosed by Milliyet, which cited an unnamed representative from the auction house as confirming the sale. The fragment, recovered from the late Cretaceous-era deposits in central Anatolia, is believed to belong to a theropod dinosaur. Museum officials and academic institutions have yet to publicly comment on the transaction, according to the report.

Dr. Ayşe Yılmaz, a paleontologist at Ankara University, stated in a separate statement to Milliyet that “fossilized remains are part of our collective natural heritage and should not be treated as commodities.” She emphasized that such artifacts are typically preserved in public institutions to ensure scientific study and public access. Conversely, a representative from the auction house, identified as Mehmet Çelik, argued that private sales can fund further excavations and conservation efforts, though he declined to provide specific details about the buyer’s identity.

The controversy reflects broader tensions over fossil ownership and accessibility. In 2021, a similar case involving a dinosaur skeleton recovered in the same region led to a legal dispute between private collectors and the Turkish Ministry of Culture. That case ended with the government asserting jurisdiction over all fossils found within national borders, per the 1983 Antiquities and Cultural Assets Law. However, enforcement of such regulations remains inconsistent, according to a 2022 report by the Turkish Geological Survey.

The auction is scheduled to take place on April 15, with bids open to registered participants. The auction house has not disclosed the exact location of the fossil’s current storage or the methodology used to determine its value. Milliyet’s report noted that the item’s provenance is under review by a panel of independent experts, though no timeline for their findings has been provided.