An extremely rare dinosaur fossil, the only one of its kind known to exist, will soon go to auction in France.
While many collectors are eager to see the specimen in person, many experts have raised concerns about a rare dinosaur like this being kept in a private collection.
The Dubreuillosaurus Valesdunensis Fossil Is Truly One of a Kind
According to the listing on the auction website, the Dubreuillosaurus valesdunensis was a carnivorous dinosaur that lived in the middle of the Jurassic period, around 167 million years ago. It lived in what we call Europe today. This particular specimen appears to be under 10 years old and is about five meters long. Scientists estimate an adult Dubreuillosaurus valesdunensis would have been between nine and ten meters long.
The partial skeleton is going for auction this month and contains 62 bones. The auction site description of the bones includes around 70% of the skull, jaw, teeth, femur, ribs, and several other important structures.
The item is expected to fetch between 250 000 € and 350 000 €. The auction takes place on November 28.
The Dinosaur Skeleton Was Named For Its Founder
The Dubreuillosaurus valesdunensis is a tremendously rare discovery. As noted by the auction website, it is currently the only known skeleton of its species.
Villers-Sur-Mer Paleontological Association and geology enthusiast André Dubreuil began examining his land in September 1994 after noticing evidence of fossils. When he noticed objects that strongly resembled teeth, he notified specialists.
By November, paleontology professor Michel Rioult from the University of Caen determined that the teeth belonged to a carnivorous theropod. A crew began excavating the site and discovered a claw. Four years later, the National Museum of Natural History in Paris got involved with the project.
As the excavation and research continued, scientists determined the remains didn’t belong to any other previously identified dinosaur.
“In 2002, scientific research initially led Ronan Allain to describe a new species under the name Poekilopleuron valesdunensis,” the auction site explains. “In 2005, after studying the postcranial skeleton, he transferred this species to a new genus, Dubreuillosaurus, created in honor of its discoverer, André Dubreuil (1941–2024).”
“Today, this fossil—whose provenance is thoroughly documented—is poised to write a new chapter in its history,” the site continues.
Some Have Expressed Concern and Protest the Sale
So far, it appears the auction will proceed as scheduled. However, many are incredibly upset that a dinosaur skeleton is being sold just like a work of art.
Steve Brusatte is a paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh and finds the entire situation entirely bizarre.
“It’s highly unusual. I’m not aware of any other situation, ever, where this has happened with a dinosaur holotype,” he recently told National Geographic.
Kristina Curry Rogers with the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology echoed similar sentiments and expressed extreme concern.
“If scientifically unique holotypes are treated primarily as financial assets, we risk losing access to the very evidence on which our understanding of the history of life depends,” she told the outlet.
One-of-a-Kind Dinosaur Skeleton Heads to French Auction – Why Some Are Protesting the Sale