The American Museum of Natural History in New York will be featuring the most expensive dinosaur fossil ever discovered. The giant stegosaurus fossil, named “Apex,” stands at 3.3 meters tall and 8.2 meters from its nose to tail. Purchased for $45 million by billionaire Ken Griffin, the skeleton will be on display first in a giant atrium at the museum’s entrance before being moved to the fossil halls next year. Mr. Griffin has also approved a long-term loan of Apex to the museum for scientific research.
This remarkable specimen is estimated to have died 150 million years ago, with about 80 percent of its 320 bones preserved. Scientists are eager to study the fossil, as it could provide insights into stegosaurus metabolism and bone growth. CT scans of its skull and analysis of a thigh bone sample will be conducted to further understand this iconic dinosaur.
Apex, discovered on land near Dinosaur, Colorado, on the Utah border, is considered the most complete stegosaurus fossil ever found. The museum’s dinosaur curator, Roger Benson, expressed excitement at the opportunity to study this specimen, which could lead to important scientific discoveries in paleontology. The collaboration between Mr. Griffin and the museum allows for exclusive research that could contribute to the field of dinosaur science.
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