A tyrannosaurus skull, considered one of the most complete excavations to date, is due for auction next month.
On the 8th local time, foreign media such as The Guardian and the New York Post reported that a Tyrannosaurus rex skull found in South Dakota is scheduled to be auctioned off in New York, USA on the 9th of next month.
The skull, dubbed 'Maximus', was excavated between 2020 and 2021 and was auctioned off by an anonymous first-time discoverer as its owner.
Unlike other countries, the United States is owned by the fossil discoverer.
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According to experts, Maximus is estimated to be about 76 million years old and is 2 meters long and weighs 91 kg.
Auction house Sotheby's said it expects the Maximus to sell for at least $15-20 million.
"Most of the fossils of Tyrannosaurus skulls have been damaged by erosion," said Henry Galliano, a paleontological consultant at Sotheby's.
Henry Galliano also said, "This skull, excavated from one of the largest concentrations of dinosaur remains, is in perfect condition. Even the smallest bones remain intact and retain their original shape and characteristics." If not preserved, it would have already eroded away.”
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Sotheby's mentioned a large hole as a singularity found in the skull, which is expected to be evidence left over from fighting other tyrannosaurus. .
The fossil of the first dinosaur 'Sue' sold at an auction was sold for 8.3 million dollars in 1997, and the tyrannosaurus skeleton 'Stan' sold at the highest price ever sold in 2020. It was sold for $31.8 million (KRW 42.2 billion).
Meanwhile, one expert said that only half of 'Maximus' can be studied publicly, and the other half is privately owned by the successful bidder.
(Photo = YouTube 'Associated Press', Sotheby's official website)