The discovery of a new Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, named Gus, has sparked a debate about the ownership and stewardship of fossils. The fossil, found on the Licking ranch in South Dakota, is one of the largest T. rexes ever discovered and is set to be auctioned at Sotheby's in New York City. The sale has raised concerns about the potential disappearance of T. rex skeletons from the public realm, as most are already in private hands. The issue is further complicated by the fact that no scientific work has been published on Gus, as researchers will not formally study a privately held specimen. The debate is not just about ownership, but also about stewardship, as the future of fossils in private hands is uncertain and may not be accessible to the public or for proper scientific study.
The Licking ranch, located within the Hell Creek Formation, has a rich history of fossil discoveries. The first T. rex skeleton was found in this area in 1902, and the name T. rex was given to the species based on fossils unearthed here. The ranch has yielded other significant fossils, including a nearly complete T. rex skeleton named Stan, which sold at auction in 2020 for $31.8 million. Gus, named after Licking, is estimated to be worth up to $30 million and is set to become the world's most expensive fossil. However, the sale is likely to spark controversy due to the potential loss of scientific value and public access.
The issue of fossil ownership and stewardship is complex. Private landowners may not have the resources or expertise to properly excavate and study fossils, and may not be willing to share them with the public or researchers. This can lead to a situation where fossils are lost to science, as they are not accessible for proper study and publication. The SVP, an organization that opposes fossil sales, mandates its members to study only specimens held in publicly accessible collections to ensure that other scientists can access the same specimens for further study.
The debate around fossil auctions is often framed as a debate about ownership, but it is really a discussion about stewardship. 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. The SVP suggests 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 and charitable organizations. This could help ensure that fossils are properly curated and accessible to future researchers and the public.
The future of fossils in private hands is uncertain, and the debate around ownership and stewardship is likely to continue. The sale of Gus is a reminder of the importance of proper stewardship and the need to ensure that fossils are accessible to the public and for proper scientific study. The discussion around fossil auctions is a complex one, and it is important to consider the broader implications of the sale of these valuable and historically significant specimens.
