Duelling Dinosaurs

One of the most remarkable dinosaur fossils ever found is up for sale.  It is one of the very rare fossils of a Tyrannosaurus (there have only been two specimens found that are more than 50% complete).  The fossil specimen has preserved the final moments of two dinosaurs, predator and prey, as they fought for survival.  The Tyrannosaur even left one of its teeth embedded in the neck of the Ceratopsid dinosaur it was attacking.  On what turned out to be a bad day for both dinosaurs they managed to fatally wound each other and were preserved still locked together in combat.  What makes it even rarer is that it is thought to be a member of a new species of dwarf Tyrannosaur called Nanotyrannus (though this conclusion is controversial).

If you would like to buy this amazing fossil, either to decorate your bedroom or to donate to your favourite Geology teacher then you will need deep pockets..... the auction estimate is $9,000,000!

This does raise issues about the commercial aspects of fossil hunting.  If this specimen was a work of art there would be an outcry if it were to disappear into a private collection.  This is a remarkable piece of scientific data but it could end up largely unstudied and out of public view in the collection of a rich amateur.  What's being done is legal, but I would like to see this special fossil in a museum where it would be available for study and for people to see it for themselves.