Stegosaurus fossil fetches nearly $45M, setting record for dinosaur auctions

The transcript discusses the sale of a rare stegosaurus skeleton named Apex, which sold for $44.6 million at Sotheby's, setting a new record for dinosaur fossils. The sale has raised concerns among scientists about the impact on research due to high prices. Apex, a nearly complete 160-million-year-old dinosaur, was discovered in Colorado and is now part of a lucrative market for prehistoric artifacts. The transcript also highlights the debate over private ownership versus museum curation of fossils and compares Apex's sale to that of Stan, a T. rex fossil. The auction process and responsibilities for buyers are also discussed.

What was the main concern of scientists regarding the sale of Apex?

• It was sold to a private collector.

• The high price could limit research access.

• The fossil was incomplete.

• The auction was not well-publicized.

How many Stegosaurus fossils are known to exist worldwide?

• Ten or eleven

• Twelve or thirteen

• Eight or nine

• Five or six

What was the estimated value of Apex before the auction?

• $4 to $6 million

• $2 to $4 million

• $6 to $8 million

• $1 to $2 million

What is a potential outcome for privately owned fossils according to Robert Dietrich?

• They remain in private collections indefinitely.

• They are often destroyed.

• They are sold to international buyers.

• They eventually end up in museums.

Which dinosaur fossil held the previous record for the highest auction price before Apex?

• Sue the T. Rex

• Jane the T. Rex

• Stan the T. Rex

• Bucky the T. Rex