ALBAWABA – An Apatosaurus dinosaur skeleton, a genus of herbivorous sauropod dinosaur that lived in North America during the Late Jurassic period, sold for over $6.4 million at auction in Paris, France.
Apatosaurus dinosaur skeleton
The 22-metre (70-foot) long Apatosaurus dinosaur skeleton sold for approximately $6.4 million (6 million euros) at auction yesterday, according to Collin du Bocage and Barbarossa auction houses.
The skeleton was purchased by an anonymous collector that stated his intention to display the skeleton in a museum. Collin du Bocage auction house said in a statement: “We are happy that the buyer intends to lend it to an institution.”
The famous Apatosaurus dinosaur skeleton features about 75% to 80% of its original bones and it is estimated to be 150 million years old. “The biggest dinosaur ever sold at auction worldwide,” said Barbarossa auction house.
The skeleton of the Apatosaurus dinosaur, named Vulcan, was discovered in the US in 2018. (AFP)
After the discovery of the Apatosaurus skeleton, it was sent to France for restoration at the Paleomoove Laboratory in Luberon. Scientists believe the dinosaur, which weighed 20 tons during its life, lived in the Dampierre-en-Yvelines commune in France.
The skeleton of the Apatosaurus dinosaur, named Vulcan, was discovered in the US in 2018. A French investor funded the excavation process, which took place in 2019 and 2021. The fossil was then transported to France for restoration.
The 300-bone skeleton was valued between $3,163,350 (3 million euros) and $5,272,250 (5 million euros). According to the sales contract, the new owner is required to allow paleontologists to study the skeleton.
