A massive Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton named Gus could become the most expensive dinosaur fossil ever sold when it goes to auction on Tuesday. Valued at $30 million, the fossil is one of the most complete T. rex skeletons ever discovered. However, the multi-million dollar price tag has restarted a debate about whether these ancient treasures should belong to rich private collectors or to public museums.
Fossil hunters found Gus in South Dakota, USA, where the dinosaur lived about 67 million years ago. A team spent three years digging up the bones, and another three years cleaning and rebuilding the skeleton in a lab. Rebuilding Gus was a long and difficult job, but the results are impressive. Around 61% of the dinosaur's bones are present, making it a major scientific find.
The skeleton also tells a story about the dinosaur's life. Gus has a huge bite mark on the top of its skull, which probably came from a fight with another dinosaur. There are also large lumps on its ribs, showing where bones broke and healed during its lifetime.
While auction houses argue that selling fossils rewards hunters for their hard work, many scientists are worried. The record for the most expensive dinosaur fossil is currently held by a Stegosaurus named Apex, which sold for $44.6 million in 2024. Prices like these are far too high for museums.
Professor Susannah Maidment, a dinosaur researcher at the Natural History Museum in London, explains that studying real fossils is essential. Without them, scientists cannot understand how prehistoric animals lived or how the Earth's climate changed over time. She warns that museums are being priced out of buying fossils, meaning important pieces of history could be locked away in private collections where researchers and the public cannot see them.