The skeleton of the Allosaurus dinosaur was unearthed in the US state of Wyoming.
Paris:
The almost complete skeleton of a carnivorous dinosaur that roamed the earth around 150 million years ago was sold on Tuesday at a Paris auction house for 3 million euros ($ 3.52 million).
The Allosaurus dinosaur skeleton, unearthed in the US state of Wyoming three years ago, has gone to an anonymous foreign buyer for well over the starting price of $ 1 million.
“It is a high quality specimen,” said Iacopo Briano, a paleontologist who acted as a consultant to the Binoche and Giquello auction house which carried out the sale.
The specimen is unusual because it is so complete – around 70% of the bones are present and they were found to be aligned with each other, making it easier to reconnect them during the restoration process.
The restored skeleton is 3.5 meters high and 10 meters long. The rib cage bears the marks of what the auctioneers said could be an attack by a rival Allosaurus or a predator.
