On Friday, thousands of dinosaur fans gathered to see a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton named “Shen” (Chinese word for god) in Singapore before it is auctioned in Hong Kong. However, experts have raised concerns regarding such significant objects being in the hands of private collectors making them inaccessible to people or scientists.&nbsp;

The 2.2 metres long and 4.6 metres high, with a 1,400 kg frame, Shen is composed of 80 bones and is thought to be male. It will also be reportedly the first T-rex skeleton auctioned in Asia. Auction company Christie’s president in Asia-Pacific, Francis Belin, said, “None of the 20 T-Rex that exist in the world is owned by either an Asian institution or an Asian collector.”&nbsp;

Meanwhile, experts have raised objections over this trend of auctions for significant prehistoric objects.&nbsp;“It’s a sad thing that dinosaurs are becoming collectible toys for the oligarch class, and I can only hope this fad ends soon,” said palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh, Steve Brusatte to AFP.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/dino-predator-tyrannosaurus-rex-may-have-three-species-not-one-says-study-457767">Dino predator Tyrannosaurus rex may have three species, not one, says study</a>

Echoing a similar sentiment, Thomas Carr, a palaeontologist from the US asserted that these sales are “harmful to science” even after the skeletons&nbsp;are being studied before they are sold as a secure permenant collection ensures that&nbsp;a scientist has&nbsp;access&nbsp;so that a fossil "can be tested and replicated" while commercially held fossil does not.

The fossil&nbsp;will be on display for three days before being shipped to Hong Kong for the auction in November. It was found only a few years ago and excavated from private land in Hells Creek Formation in the US state of Montana in 2020. However, the guide price or the identity of the seller has not been revealed.

Reports suggest that Shen lived at least 67 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. Notably, this is not the only T-rex fossil&nbsp;to be sold as Christie’s also sold “Stan” for $ 31.8 million. Earlier this year, a skeleton of a Gorgosaurus, which is said to be the first of its kind, was auctioned for $ 6.1 million in New York.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/christies-to-auction-special-recording-of-blown-in-the-wind-493965">Christie's to auction special recording of 'Blown in the wind'</a>

Christie’s also hopes that some public institutions buy Shen so that it could be seen by the public, said Beline and added, “We strongly hope that the new owner, whether it’s an institution or private, will ensure that it’s being seen by the public.” Furthermore, the auction company has also reassured that Shen has been fully researched and recorded in 3D as well as “all the elements of the skeleton will be made available for the public to research.”

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

On Friday, thousands of dinosaur fans gathered to see a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton named “Shen” (Chinese word for god) in Singapore before it is auctioned in Hong Kong.

On Friday, thousands of dinosaur fans gathered to see a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton named “Shen” (Chinese word for god) in Singapore before it is auctioned in Hong Kong. However, experts have raised concerns regarding such significant objects being in the hands of private collectors making them inaccessible to people or scientists. The 2.2 metres long and 4.6 metres high, with a 1,400 kg frame, Shen is composed of 80 bones and is thought to be male. It will also be reportedly the first T-rex skeleton auctioned in Asia. Auction company Christie’s president in Asia-Pacific, Francis Belin, said, “None of the 20 T-Rex that exist in the world is owned by either an Asian institution or an Asian collector.” Meanwhile, experts have raised objections over this trend of auctions for significant prehistoric objects. “It’s a sad thing that dinosaurs are becoming collectible toys for the oligarch class, and I can only hope this fad ends soon,” said palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh, Steve Brusatte to AFP. ALSO READ: Dino predator Tyrannosaurus rex may have three species, not one, says study Echoing a similar sentiment, Thomas Carr, a palaeontologist from the US asserted that these sales are “harmful to science” even after the skeletons are being studied before they are sold as a secure permenant collection ensures that a scientist has access so that a fossil "can be tested and replicated" while commercially held fossil does not. The fossil will be on display for three days before being shipped to Hong Kong for the auction in November. It was found only a few years ago and excavated from private land in Hells Creek Formation in the US state of Montana in 2020. However, the guide price or the identity of the seller has not been revealed. Reports suggest that Shen lived at least 67 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. Notably, this is not the only T-rex fossil to be sold as Christie’s also sold “Stan” for $ 31.8 million. Earlier this year, a skeleton of a Gorgosaurus, which is said to be the first of its kind, was auctioned for $ 6.1 million in New York. ALSO WATCH: Christie's to auction special recording of 'Blown in the wind' Christie’s also hopes that some public institutions buy Shen so that it could be seen by the public, said Beline and added, “We strongly hope that the new owner, whether it’s an institution or private, will ensure that it’s being seen by the public.” Furthermore, the auction company has also reassured that Shen has been fully researched and recorded in 3D as well as “all the elements of the skeleton will be made available for the public to research.” (With inputs from agencies)

‘Harmful to science’: T-rex skeleton in Singapore sparks debate about auctions of prehistoric objects

Some things acquire value over time, the same goes for a 77 million year old fossilized dinosaur skeleton all set to be auctioned in New York city later this month. Nearly 10 feet tall and 22 feet long, the Gorgosaurus skeleton was found in the Judith river formation in Montana almost 3 000 kilometers from New York in 2018.

New York-based firm to conduct auction of Dinosaur skeleton

skeleton-auction

Skeleton Auction, News on Skeleton Auction, stories on Skeleton Auction, articles on Skeleton Auction, Skeleton Auction stories at Wion, Skeleton Auction news, Skeleton Auction latest news