In the vast landscape of South Dakota, a chance encounter between a cattle rancher and a paleontologist led to the discovery of one of the largest Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons ever found. Named Gus, this fossil is set to be auctioned at Sotheby's in New York City, potentially becoming the world's most expensive fossil. But the sale of Gus raises a deeper question: who should own and steward these precious specimens, and what does it mean for science?
The Licking ranch, nestled within the Hell Creek Formation, has long been a treasure trove for dinosaur enthusiasts. Gary "Gus" Licking, the rancher, had always suspected his land held something special, and his dreams were realized when he met Thomas Heitkamp, a commercial paleontologist. Together, they discovered Gus, a T. rex skeleton that is nearly 61% complete by bone count, or 75-80% complete by mass. With a length of 38 feet and a height of 12.5 feet, Gus is an impressive find, and its discovery was made possible by Heitkamp's expertise and Licking's passion for fossils.
What makes Gus particularly fascinating is its size and completeness. At 38 feet in length and 12.5 feet tall, with a skull measuring 54 inches, Gus is one of the largest T. rexes ever found. Its skull has about 82% of the original bones represented, and the skeleton includes rarely found components such as the wishbone, a complete pelvis, and both feet. Sotheby's estimates that Gus will go for up to $30 million, but the true value of such a find is hard to quantify.
However, the sale of Gus is not without controversy. The issue of ownership and stewardship of fossils has long been a contentious one, with experts arguing that private ownership can lead to the disappearance of these precious specimens from the public realm. In Gus' case, the conundrum began with a chance encounter, and the fossil's future is uncertain. Some fossils are loaned to institutions such as museums, while remaining privately owned, while others wind up in private collections and disappear from the public eye.
The debate around fossil auctions is often framed as a debate about ownership, but it is really a discussion about stewardship. Scientifically significant fossils are non-renewable records of Earth's history, and every one of these specimens represents information that can never be recreated once it is lost or becomes inaccessible. Specimens of scientific importance should be permanently curated in institutions that guarantee access for future researchers and the public.
The SVP, an organization that firmly opposes fossil sales, has written a letter to the American Museum of Natural History expressing opposition to the loan of Apex the Stegosaurus, noting that the temporary status makes permanent access from researchers impossible. The SVP argues that fossils should be curated in museums to ensure proper scientific study and access for future generations of scientists. In the case of Gus, the sale to a private individual could mean that the public may never see it again, and it may never be subjected to proper scientific study.
The discussion around fossil auctions is complex, and it raises important questions about the role of museums, private landowners, and commercial paleontologists. While some argue that private landowners should have the option of involving a museum rather than a commercial operation, others believe that the prospect of a high-value sale is what drives the excavation and polishing of these skeletons. The true value of a fossil like Gus is hard to quantify, and the debate around its ownership and stewardship is likely to continue.
In the end, the sale of Gus is a reminder of the importance of stewardship and the need to ensure that these precious specimens are accessible to future generations of scientists and the public. As Heitkamp notes, it is important that Gus was found before time erased him completely. The true value of a fossil like Gus is not just in its monetary worth, but in its scientific significance and the role it plays in our understanding of Earth's history.
