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 has sparked controversy, raising questions about ownership and stewardship in paleontology. This article delves into the fascinating story of Gus, the ethical dilemmas surrounding fossil auctions, and the broader implications for scientific research and public access.
A Chance Discovery
Gary "Gus" Licking, a cattle rancher in South Dakota, had always suspected his land was hiding something significant. His ranch sits within the Hell Creek Formation, a legendary geological boneyard known for its abundance of dinosaur fossils. Licking had found dinosaur teeth and bones over the years, but it wasn't until he met Thomas Heitkamp, a commercial paleontologist, that his dream of a major discovery became a reality.
Heitkamp, the founder of Theropoda Expeditions, had been tracking Licking's ranch due to its location within the Hell Creek Formation. Licking, who had a passion for fossils and artifacts, had a collection of his own findings. Heitkamp and his team discovered Gus in 2021, with Licking providing the approximate location of the skeleton. Unfortunately, Licking passed away before the excavation was completed, never getting to see the full glory of his land's discovery.
The Significance of Gus
Gus is an impressive 38 feet in length and 12.5 feet tall, with a skull measuring 54 inches. It is one of the largest T. rexes ever found, with 183 fossil bone elements, making it about 61% complete by bone count or 75-80% complete by mass. The auction house Sotheby's describes Gus as one of the most complete T. rex fossils ever found, with a skull that has about 82% of the original bones represented and a skeleton that includes rarely found components such as the wishbone, a complete pelvis, and both feet.
The fossil's scientific significance is further enhanced by evidence of bite marks and fractures that the dinosaur survived. However, no scientific work has been published on Gus due to the refusal of most researchers to formally study privately held specimens. This has reignited the debate about fossil auctions and the potential disappearance of T. rex skeletons from the public realm, as the majority of these specimens are already in private hands.
The Debate Over Fossil Auctions
The sale of Gus has sparked controversy, as it represents a paleontological predicament where ownership and stewardship are increasingly at odds, and science is often the loser. The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP), an organization that opposes fossil sales, argues that when a fossil ends up in private hands, its future is uncertain. Some fossils are loaned to institutions such as museums, while others wind up in private collections and disappear from the public realm.
Stuart Sumida, a professor of biology and president of the SVP, emphasizes that when a fossil is sold, it is generally lost to science. He suggests that a scientific equivalent of the Giving Pledge, a campaign started by Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Melinda French Gates to encourage the world's super-wealthy to commit more than half of their fortunes to philanthropic causes, could be a solution. This would ensure that scientifically significant fossils are permanently curated in institutions that guarantee access for future researchers and the public.
The Role of Museums
David Hone, a paleontologist and reader in zoology at Queen Mary University of London, argues that museums or other public institutions could easily unearth specimens such as Gus if only the landowners where these discoveries come up wished. These institutions could then put a professional paleontologist, rather than a commercial one, in charge of the excavation. Hone believes that private buyers of expensive fossils want both ownership and public access but can't have both.
Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's vice chairman and worldwide head of science and natural history, acknowledges that no formal scientific study is possible on Gus but adds that "all of the great museums in the world started from private collections." She emphasizes the importance of excavating and polishing skeletons like Gus without the prospect of a high-value sale, as this investment of time and money is crucial for scientific study.
The Future of Fossil Auctions
With price tags of $30 million or more, no museum or other public institution can afford to participate in these auctions, according to Steve Brusatte, a professor of paleontology and evolution at Scotland's University of Edinburgh. However, public auctions such as this one could be just the tip of the iceberg, with private sales of T. rex specimens achieving more than $50 million. Susannah Maidment, a fossil expert and a senior researcher at London's Museum of Natural History, warns that these sales could revolutionize the collections, facilities, and galleries of any museum or university across the UK.
The discussion around fossil auctions is often framed as a debate about ownership, when it is really a discussion about stewardship, according to Kristi Curry Rogers, a professor in biology and geology at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and vice president of the SVP. She emphasizes that 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.
In conclusion, the story of Gus and the debate over fossil auctions highlight the complex interplay between ownership, stewardship, and scientific research. As paleontology continues to uncover the mysteries of our past, finding a balance between private ownership and public access will be crucial for the preservation of our planet's history and the advancement of scientific knowledge.
