Dinosaur skeleton cost 22 billion

A nearly complete dinosaur skeleton has been sold for more than $ 1 million, despite a call to suspend the auction as it may have been stolen from Mongolia.

In the auction on May 20, Heritage Auctions (USA) sold Tyrannosaurus bataar dinosaur specimens to an anonymous buyer on condition that the transaction must be approved by the court.

Opponents do not want the skeleton to be sold under any conditions. A restraining order was written under the name of Mongolian President Elbegdorj Tsakhia to stop the auction. Court documents claim that the skeleton originated from Mongolia, and the export of fossil excavations in Mongolia is considered a criminal offense.

Under the conditions of purchase and sale, specimens will not be delivered to buyers until approved by the court, Gregory Rohan, president of Heritage Auctions, said.

Nearly completed dinosaur skeleton is sold for nearly VND 22 billion. (Source: Livescience)

Attorney Robert Painter, who represents the President of Mongolia, attempts to stop transactions when dinosaur skeletons appear at the auction. Painter said he will continue to pursue the case when Heritage Auctions defies the court's temporary restraining order.

During the auction, some Mongols protested outside the center. They held up photographs of the specimen and the slogan: 'It is Mongolia's natural property. Please return our stolen treasure '.

'We want that skeleton to be returned to Mongolia, which is the sole purpose ,' said Bolorsetseg Minjin, a paleontologist and director of the Mongolian Dinosaur Research Institute. Protesters.

In response to concerns about the origins of the Asian relative of the North American tyrannical species of T.rex, Heritage Auctions issued a statement that the specimen was legally brought to the United States, and 'Shippers assure us that they have clear ownership of the fossil record'.

Heritage Auctions does not indicate the identities of buyers and sellers, saying that they must protect the personal information of both parties.

Paleontologist Mark Norell of the American Museum of Natural History supports the Mongolian side, because the country is often robbed of fossilized samples.

Despite many objections, the 2.4m tall and 7.3m long fossil dinosaurs were sold for $ 1,052,000.