An Apatosaurus skeleton on display before an auction at the Château de Dampierre in France Photo: Stephane De Sakutin / AFP
The largest dinosaur skeleton ever exhibited in France was sold at an auction near Paris on Saturday for more than six million euros. The buyer was an anonymous collector who announced his intention to donate this unique specimen to a museum, AFP reports.
A rare lot: a giant apatosaurus
The skeleton belongs to a giant herbivorous dinosaur, Apatosaurus, which reached 22 metres in length. The specimen is considered one of the best preserved, as 75-80% of its bones are original.
“This was one of the largest dinosaur auctions in France,” said Olivier Collin du Bocage, a representative of Collin du Bocage.
Under the terms of the agreement, the buyer undertook to provide access to the skeleton to paleontologists for further research.
The skeleton was found in Wyoming, USA, in 2018, and from July to November 2024, it was exhibited in the greenhouse of the Dampierre Palace in Yvelines. Due to special storage conditions, it is not possible to display this specimen outdoors.
The sellers noted that interest in large dinosaurs, particularly sauropods, continues to grow among collectors. This auction was another confirmation of the high popularity of palaeontological finds in the private market.
The sale of this unique skeleton not only confirms the value of such artefacts, but also highlights the need for a balance between scientific research and private ownership.
