Published: 14:57, October 14, 2020 | Updated: 14:37, June 5, 2023
Remains of the day: Dinosaur skeleton fetches US$3.52 million
By Reuters

A skeleton of an Allosaurus dinosaur is on display at Drouot auction house, in Paris, Oct 10, 2020. (THIBAULT CAMUS / AP)

PARIS - The near-complete skeleton of a carnivorous dinosaur which roamed the earth around 150 million years ago was sold at a Paris auction house on Tuesday for 3 million euros (US$3.52 million).

The skeleton of the Allosaurus dinosaur, dug up in the US state of Wyoming three years ago, is unusual because it is so complete: around 70 percent of the bones are present, and they were found aligned with each other, making it easier to reconnect them during the restoration process

The skeleton of the Allosaurus dinosaur, dug up in the US state of Wyoming three years ago, went to an unnamed foreign buyer for well in excess of the 1 million euro starting price.

ALSO READ: Scientists discover smallest dinosaur of all time

"This is a high grade specimen," said Iacopo Briano, a palaeontologist who acted as a consultant to the Binoche et Giquello auction house which conducted the sale.

The specimen is unusual because it is so complete: around 70 percent of the bones are present, and they were found aligned with each other, making it easier to reconnect them during the restoration process.

READ MORE: Chinese scientists discover new bat-wing dinosaur

The restored skeleton stands 3.5 meters high and 10 meters long. The ribcage bears the marks of what the auctioneers said may have been an attack by a rival Allosaurus or a predator.