Dinosaur skeleton :dand American land at French auction
On November 16, 2024, the castle of Dampierre-en-Yvelines hosted an exceptional sale: Vulcain, a 22-meter-long dinosaur skeleton, was sold for 6 million euros, fees included. This colossus, 150 million years old, represents a new species of apatosaurus. The buyer, an anonymous collector, wishes to entrust this unique piece to a museum. “ We are happy that the buyer intends to lend it to an institution », specified Olivier Collin du Bocage, auctioneer. This dinosaur would have reached the age of 45 years.
Discovered in 2018 in Wyoming, Vulcan, composed of 75 to 80% of its original bones, was unearthed thanks to excavations financed by a French investor between 2019 and 2021. In the United States, legislation allows individuals to acquire concessions to excavate fossils.. After its extraction, the skeleton crossed the Atlantic to be restored in France. For scientists, this discovery has a double value: historical and paleontological. The sales contract provides that paleontologists can continue to study this giant, shedding light on Jurassic ecosystems.
When art and science intersect
While some see these sales as a form of commodification of heritage, others see an opportunity. “ It’s a beautiful stripe in the dinosaur markets,” rejoices Olivier Collin du Bocage. This thriving market attracts enthusiasts and museums, making the dinosaur skeleton an object of art and science. By entrusting Vulcan to a museum,The anonymous buyer participates in this dynamic where the preservation and dissemination of knowledge take precedence over speculation.
The question of welcoming the giant now arises. Vulcan, weighing around twenty tonnes during his lifetime, will not go unnoticed. Belgian and French museums are already positioning themselves to exhibit it. In addition to showcasing the apatosaurus, the aim will be to ensure its access to researchers while attracting the public.
