nuOct 27, 2026, 18:25

Dinosaur skeleton auctioned for 42 million euros, second most valuable fossil ever

A rare Nanotyrannus dinosaur skeleton has been auctioned for 42 million euros, becoming the second-most expensive fossil ever sold. Scientists have criticized the sale, warning that moving the specimen into a private collection removes it from the public domain and limits opportunities for academic research.

A fossil skeleton of the newly identified dinosaur species Nanotyrannus has sold for 42 million euros. The twelve-minute auction featured six bidders, though the identity of the final buyer remains undisclosed. This sale marks the second-most valuable fossil transaction in history, falling just short of a record set in July when a T. rex skeleton fetched nearly 45 million euros. The specimen stands approximately 3 meters tall and comprises 191 bones, featuring a nearly complete skull from the Late Cretaceous period.

The private sale has drawn criticism from the scientific community, as many paleontologists fear such fossils will be lost to public research. Experts warn that moving these specimens into private collections prevents them from being studied or displayed in museums. Paleontologist Steve Brusatte expressed concern that the skeleton may be locked away in a private vault, depriving children and the general public of the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by this significant biological discovery.

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Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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