|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on Jul 29, 2022 8:54:42 GMT -5
www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-62339887A rare ancient dinosaur skeleton has been sold in the US to an unknown buyer for just over $6m (£5m). It was offered up by Sotheby's and sold at the firm's natural history auction in New York City on Thursday. The fossil is that of a Gorgosaurus - a distant relative of the infamous and deadly Tyrannosaurus rex - that was discovered in 2018. The anonymous buyer will have the unique opportunity to bestow a nickname on the one-time apex predator. The sale is the second-ever of a fossilised dinosaur skeleton auctioned by Sotheby's. The first, a T-rex nicknamed Sue, was sold to Chicago's Field Museum in 1997 for $8.36m. The Gorgosaurus was expected to attract bids of up to $8m. It is the only specimen of its kind to be offered up for private ownership. There are only 20 fossils like it known to exist around the world. The Gorgosaurus roamed the Earth about 77 million years ago and, like the T-rex, it had a large head, a mouth full of curved serrated teeth, and small two-fingered front limbs. Though smaller than its cousin dinosaur, it was faster, fiercer and packed a stronger bite, optimised for "cutting into thick skin and penetrating deep into the flesh of their prey", according to Sotheby's. The fossil was discovered on private land in the US state of Montana. It has 79 bone elements, stands 10ft (3m) tall and is 22ft long. While a nickname for the Gorgosaurus skeleton has not yet officially been announced, "Gorgeous George" emerged as a strong contender among Sotheby's social media followers. Other natural history items up for auction on Thursday include a complete T-rex rooted tooth, which sold for just over $100,000, a Triceratops skull, which sold for $661,500, and a sabre-toothed tiger skull. The world record price for dinosaur fossils remains $31.8m (£24.6m), sold at an online auction to a private buyer in 2020. Some experts are concerned about dinosaur skeletons being sold on the private market. "A skeleton like this is part of our collective natural heritage, a vestige of the Earth's past that is relevant to us all," said David Polly, a professor at Indiana University and former president of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. "I feel that all such fossils should go into the public trust where they can be studied, visited and enjoyed by scientists and a wide range of other people." Gregory M Erickson, a professor of anatomy and vertebrate paleobiology at Florida State University, told the BBC he worries the sale "sends a message that it's just any other commodity that you can buy for money and not for scientific good". But he said those sales and the fanfare surrounding them are a by-product of our "dinomania" society. "Right from childhood people are enamoured of dinosaurs, so I can see why people buy dinosaur fossils," he said.
|
|
|
|
Post by rmf on Jul 29, 2022 10:45:46 GMT -5
Yeh I saw that. My wife would not let me buy that either:(
|
|
|
|
Post by Pat on Jul 29, 2022 12:44:59 GMT -5
Yeh I saw that. My wife would not let me buy that either:( But then where would you put it???! |
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on Jul 29, 2022 13:47:54 GMT -5
Yeh I saw that. My wife would not let me buy that either:( But then where would you put it???! Some really rich guy bought it who wants to put it in his foyer to scare the bejesus out of unwanted visitors. |
|
RWA3006
Cave Dweller 
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,633 
|
Post by RWA3006 on Jul 29, 2022 14:03:17 GMT -5
www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-62339887It is the only specimen of its kind to be offered up for private ownership.... Some experts are concerned about dinosaur skeletons being sold on the private market. "A skeleton like this is part of our collective natural heritage, a vestige of the Earth's past that is relevant to us all," said David Polly, a professor at Indiana University and former president of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. "I feel that all such fossils should go into the public trust where they can be studied, visited and enjoyed by scientists and a wide range of other people." Gregory M Erickson, a professor of anatomy and vertebrate paleobiology at Florida State University, told the BBC he worries the sale "sends a message that it's just any other commodity that you can buy for money and not for scientific good". . I'll bet these two leftists wouldn't feel this way if they had found the fossil on their own private property. |
|
|
|
Post by RickB on Jul 29, 2022 15:34:45 GMT -5
I wonder if that is the Gorgosaurus that was found on the TV series Dino Hunters. I know Montana was one of the dig states.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059
|
Post by gemfeller on Jul 29, 2022 16:13:12 GMT -5
Years ago I worked for the University of Utah and became acquainted with an unique service offered by the Geology Departmemt. The department head was native to eastern Utah and as a young man discovered a veritable dinosaur graveyard. He kept the location secret until he became head of the department and was able to generate enough funding to do a scientific "dig."
At that time the campus had many old WWII barracks that had been converted to various university functions. Several of them were filled with dinosaur bones: table after table with various dino skeletal parts, from teeth to toes, all sorted and carefully labeled. They called it the Dinosaur Department Store and a grad student had a full-time job tending the collection and traveling worldwide to assemble dinosaur skeletons for buyers. They offered both real skeletons and skeletons made from plaster casts.
I saw some amazing gembone in the collection but had neither the funds nor the authority to add any to my personal hoard. One specimen will always stand out in memory: a large femur, perhaps 3 1/2 feet tall, hollowed out with beautiful amethyst crystals grown inside like a once-living geode. I've always wondered what became of it and hope it found its deserved place in a museum.
The "store" is no longer operating as best I can determine, but it was a once in a lifetime experience for me.
|
|
pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
|
Post by pizzano on Jul 29, 2022 17:45:41 GMT -5
Years ago I worked for the University of Utah and became acquainted with an unique service offered by the Geology Departmemt. The department head was native to eastern Utah and as a young man discovered a veritable dinosaur graveyard. He kept the location secret until he became head of the department and was able to generate enough funding to do a scientific "dig." At that time the campus had many old WWII barracks that had been converted to various university functions. Several of them were filled with dinosaur bones: table after table with various dino skeletal parts, from teeth to toes, all sorted and carefully labeled. They called it the Dinosaur Department Store and a grad student had a full-time job tending the collection and traveling worldwide to assemble dinosaur skeletons for buyers. They offered both real skeletons and skeletons made from plaster casts. I saw some amazing gembone in the collection but had neither the funds nor the authority to add any to my personal hoard. One specimen will always stand out in memory: a large femur, perhaps 3 1/2 feet tall, hollowed out with beautiful amethyst crystals grown inside like a once-living geode. I've always wondered what became of it and hope it found its deserved place in a museum. The "store" is no longer operating as best I can determine, but it was a once in a lifetime experience for me. My Grandson and I have been to the museum on that campus, a few times. I'm familiar with those "bones" of which you speak.......and the "crystalized" specimens have been on exhibit occasionally, we've seen them once and I have a few pics someplace........ I have been told by old timers that provide guided tours, those specimens go on the road quite a bit all over the country.....probably why they are not home much to see.....very very rare, insured into the $$ millions and the University is often offered $$$ all the time for the collection. The old timers say that collection and a few others, are not for sale due to their intrinsic value to that museum's history and family tree grass roots. I can certainly understand that value.......! Note..: I can't find the pic's of the actual crystallized bones, I'll keep digging......but I do have pics of the area where they were stored and exhibited the only time we saw them...:   and one for good measure.....lol  Found a couple of pic's of what was on exhibit that day.... still looking for the really good ones I took (damn old brain)...from various regions in Utah...:   |
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Jul 29, 2022 20:13:18 GMT -5
Strange
That Archeologist
Haven't found Dino bones in
Ancient habitats
Those ancients dug lots of rock
They must have came by
Petrified bone.
Even full scale Dino skulls
Sort of amazing not
Enshrined in their camps
Especially at Gobekli Tepe
Seems ,mysterious
Course I have a disinclination to believe huge lizard roamed....
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059
|
Post by gemfeller on Jul 29, 2022 20:15:10 GMT -5
pizzano , Thanks for that update. The exhibit is certainly a major upgrade from what I remember and I'm happy the collection has been preserved and is on public display. Lots of time has passed since the project I posted about was active and due to personal issues I haven't been back to SLC since then. Thanks for the great images. Many people don't believe me when I tell about the amethyst-geode-dino bones. You've provided visual proof of my story. At the time I was writing about the U of U had also acquired an awesome collection of lapidary materials from the estate of an old gent named "Doc" Inglesby (spelling may be wrong, writing from memory). The "Doc" was a legend among Utah rockhounds, having had the means and the knowledge to get the "best of the best" from Utah collection areas during his long life. He passed in the 1950s or early 60s. I hope the university has been able to display his amazing specimens as well as it's preserved the dinosaur collection. I had a strong urge to resort to theft when I was allowed to spend some time in the shed where his rocks were stored but managed to suppress it. The watchful eye of the caretaker was also a factor 
|
|
pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
|
Post by pizzano on Jul 29, 2022 21:56:54 GMT -5
pizzano , Thanks for that update. The exhibit is certainly a major upgrade from what I remember and I'm happy the collection has been preserved and is on public display. Lots of time has passed since the project I posted about was active and due to personal issues I haven't been back to SLC since then. Thanks for the great images. Many people don't believe me when I tell about the amethyst-geode-dino bones. You've provided visual proof of my story. At the time I was writing about the U of U had also acquired an awesome collection of lapidary materials from the estate of an old gent named "Doc" Inglesby (spelling may be wrong, writing from memory). The "Doc" was a legend among Utah rockhounds, having had the means and the knowledge to get the "best of the best" from Utah collection areas during his long life. He passed in the 1950s or early 60s. I hope the university has been able to display his amazing specimens as well as it's preserved the dinosaur collection. I had a strong urge to resort to theft when I was allowed to spend some time in the shed where his rocks were stored but managed to suppress it. The watchful eye of the caretaker was also a factor I've seen that last name associated with photographic exhibits at the museum related to Utah petroglyph and native american life styles during the 1940's....but not rock or fossil. It could be a case of where laws have now diminished any public, gov't funded or supported recognition is given to collections that were/are accumulated by "unauthorized or "academically certified" recognized professionals in that discipline.......now it's even gone as far as those specimens collected privately by land owners, who have not jumped through the regulated authorization hoops, can no longer seek profit legally if the specimen is not " certified".......don't even consider a find on what is now deemed "govt" land.......that may be the case of "Doc's" collections.......it wouldn't shock me if that were the case.....even in Utah, where "certain" privilege is given for those who have influence within a certain cultural population that still dominates that state's politics and govt funding......if you get my meaning...! |
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Jul 29, 2022 22:15:42 GMT -5
I wonder if that is the Gorgosaurus that was found on the TV series Dino Hunters. I know Montana was one of the dig states. Rick, this was the first thing I thought of when reading the OP! hummingbirdstones - Robin, thanks for posting this!! |
|
|
|
Post by rockpickerforever on Jul 29, 2022 22:30:55 GMT -5
pizzano , Thanks for that update. The exhibit is certainly a major upgrade from what I remember and I'm happy the collection has been preserved and is on public display. Lots of time has passed since the project I posted about was active and due to personal issues I haven't been back to SLC since then. Thanks for the great images. Many people don't believe me when I tell about the amethyst-geode-dino bones. You've provided visual proof of my story. At the time I was writing about the U of U had also acquired an awesome collection of lapidary materials from the estate of an old gent named "Doc" Inglesby (spelling may be wrong, writing from memory). The "Doc" was a legend among Utah rockhounds, having had the means and the knowledge to get the "best of the best" from Utah collection areas during his long life. He passed in the 1950s or early 60s. I hope the university has been able to display his amazing specimens as well as it's preserved the dinosaur collection. I had a strong urge to resort to theft when I was allowed to spend some time in the shed where his rocks were stored but managed to suppress it. The watchful eye of the caretaker was also a factor I've seen that last name associated with photographic exhibits at the museum related to Utah petroglyph and native american life styles during the 1940's....but not rock or fossil. It could be a case of where laws have now diminished any public, gov't funded or supported recognition is given to collections that were/are accumulated by "unauthorized or "academically certified" recognized professionals in that discipline.......now it's even gone as far as those specimens collected privately by land owners, who have not jumped through the regulated authorization hoops, can no longer seek profit legally if the specimen is not " certified".......don't even consider a find on what is now deemed "govt" land.......that may be the case of "Doc's" collections.......it wouldn't shock me if that were the case.....even in Utah, where "certain" privilege is given for those who have influence within a certain cultural population that still dominates that state's politics and govt funding......if you get my meaning...! Found some interesting background info on Arthur Leroy “Doc” Inglesby. 1873-1960. I came across a link to a 4.4 mg pdf download from the university/museum. The info on Doc Inglesby is on page 16. Of course, I'm sure you'll want to read more of it! Link |
|
pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
|
Post by pizzano on Jul 29, 2022 23:14:21 GMT -5
Thank You Jean.........!
I followed a few other links after reading your's......that dentist was quite a character, rock hound and photographer. His photo exhibits at the museum are fantastic. .....but still can't find much on his collections related to fossil & rock.... been able to identify they existed.......have no clue where to view those finds other than what he, himself, photographed.....I wonder if his family and the museum's relationship have kept this under wraps for some reason......? He was very meticulous about reporting all of his photo adventures......even has books on those related to Native American Culture....where's the rocks and bones.......?......lol
Maybe I'll accidently bump into something, but my search is getting thinner with each link I follow......I'll be out in Riverton sometime late September, early October. I'll stop in at the University and inquire (it's got my curiosity now)......one of my favorite places to visit during October-Fest....the place is popping with football and beer about that time........My Son and I always share that visit together, kind-of an annual get together.......him for the beer & bratwurst......me for the football & bratwurst.......lol
|
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Jul 30, 2022 11:44:30 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by rockpickerforever on Jul 30, 2022 13:59:32 GMT -5
Thank You Jean.........! I followed a few other links after reading your's......that dentist was quite a character, rock hound and photographer. His photo exhibits at the museum are fantastic. .....but still can't find much on his collections related to fossil & rock.... been able to identify they existed.......have no clue where to view those finds other than what he, himself, photographed.....I wonder if his family and the museum's relationship have kept this under wraps for some reason......? He was very meticulous about reporting all of his photo adventures......even has books on those related to Native American Culture....where's the rocks and bones.......?......lol Maybe I'll accidently bump into something, but my search is getting thinner with each link I follow......I'll be out in Riverton sometime late September, early October. I'll stop in at the University and inquire (it's got my curiosity now)......one of my favorite places to visit during October-Fest....the place is popping with football and beer about that time........My Son and I always share that visit together, kind-of an annual get together.......him for the beer & bratwurst......me for the football & bratwurst.......lol Joe, I found some info on The Arthur Leroy Inglesby Photograph Collection, 1930s-1940s history.utah.gov/finding-aids/data/C00345/c0345.htmlThe page lists the subjects of the photos in his extensive collection, but I did not see any links to click. Maybe they want money for you to even see them? Judging by the subjects, I would love to see them! ETA - Found some more biographical-type information on Doc Englesby. www.deseret.com/1989/3/26/18800362/blossom-time-in-capitol-reffThe typo is not mine. Seeing more and more of that lately. Geez, you'd think if that is what you'd do for a living, you'd be better at it than that, lol. Even news sites are terrible with their spelling and punctuation! I guess good help is hard to find. |
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059
|
Post by gemfeller on Jul 30, 2022 16:16:05 GMT -5
rockpickerforever That's the guy Jean. I have a hunch his rock collection sort've disappeared over time, one or more rocks at a time. I'd be happy if it didn't though. It was stored in a not-very-secure shed at the time I saw it. Inglesby lived in the tiny town of Torrey near the Fremont River in central Utah at the time he passed. I used to travel to Torrey to fish the Fremont, home (at that time) of some of the most amazingly big brown trout I've ever run across. I'd tell more about it but I think I'd be accused of telling "fishing stories." I don't know whether there's a computer-accessible index of old Lapidary Journal articles but if there is there were many about him and his collection. I had a printed index that would have listed them but I gave it away along with my years-long collection of the magazine just before I moved to AZ. A good library would have them I'm sure if anyone's that interested.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockpickerforever on Jul 30, 2022 17:32:56 GMT -5
Hi, Rick. I totally understand how an entire collection of ANYTHING, can dissapear if they are not locked up, or nobody is keeping an eye on them. I don't know if any computer-accessible index of old Lapidary Journal articles exists. I know there are online versions of scanned The Desert Magazine, that I have gotten much info out of. (They are great for info on field trips, although many locations are now closed, and the directions outdated.) The University of Arizona Library scanned their collection of copies of The Desert Magazine. Link to their searchable pages: repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/307758ABOUT THE COLLECTION The Desert Magazine was a periodical on life in the deserts and the Southwest, published from 1937-1951 by The Desert Press. The volumes in this collection were digitized as part of efforts to represent Arizona agricultural history and rural life from the period 1820-1945, under the "Preserving the History of Agriculture & Rural Life: State and Local Literature, Arizona, 1820-1845" grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The grant was administered by Cornell University; the grant provided funding for land grant universities in the United States to digitize rare and fragile items from this time period. Scholars and librarians at the University of Arizona identified the materials to be included in the collection, and coordinated with libraries and other institutions to obtain materials for digitization. Goblin Gulch, in May 1944 Issue Inglesby mentioned throughout the article. Also here: FROM BARRIER TO CROSSROADS: AN ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY OF CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK, UTAHIf this looks all jumbled up, that's because it is! I've lost this post a few times while working on it, and had to go back to square one, lol. Posting it now before I screw it up again! There is a lot of info out there, just have to look for it. No online searchable Index of Lapidary Journal, though.  I'm sure I have deleted some info, should I find it and feel it needs to be added back, I will do so. |
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059
|
Post by gemfeller on Jul 31, 2022 18:56:45 GMT -5
rockpickerforever Jean, you're a researcher extraordinaire! I haven't had a chance yet to read all the old AZ Highways pieces you posted but was delighted with some of the rockhound stuff. I'll dig in later for more info on that and your Doc Inglesby references. Boy, has that magazine ever changed! I subscribed last year but won't re-up. The fonts are far too small for my old eyes to read without bothersome magnification, and while the pictures are beautiful the magazine seems to serve mainly as sales organ for prints by its featured artists. I'm sure there's lots of good stuff in it still but I miss the old-time emphasis on rocks and Southwest-style jewelry and turquoise, archaeology and geology. As a former newsman and editor I sympathize with the current staff. It must be a huge challenge to come up with new and fresh articles each month after the state has been "mined" for articles for so many years.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockpickerforever on Jul 31, 2022 19:11:44 GMT -5
Rick, not Arizona Highways (although I liked those, too), but The Desert Magazine. Many great authors, articles and photos.
I downloaded them all (I think?) many years ago and they are still in my computer. Actually, on an external hard drive.
|
|
I'm sure I have deleted some info, should I find it and feel it needs to be added back, I will do so. 
