In an extraordinary auction held at the historic Dampierre-en-Yvelines chateau in France, a 22-meter-long apatosaurus skeleton fetched a staggering $6.4 million. The herbivorous dinosaur, affectionately nicknamed “Vulcan,” was purchased by an anonymous collector, who has pledged to lend the ancient relic to a museum for public viewing and scientific research.
Discovered in Wyoming, USA, in 2018, Vulcan’s excavation was conducted from 2019 to 2021 and financed by a French investor. The remarkable specimen, which boasts 75–80% of its original bones intact, dates back 150 million years. After its excavation, the fossil—comprised of over 300 bones—was meticulously restored in France before its sale.
The apatosaurus skeleton had been on display in the orangerie of the Dampierre chateau, located 50 kilometers southwest of Paris, where it attracted significant public interest leading up to the auction. Its final sale price surpassed initial estimates, which ranged between €3 million and €5 million.
Olivier Collin du Bocage, representing the auction house, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “We are thrilled the buyer intends to share this incredible piece of history with a museum. This ensures Vulcan remains accessible for education and research.”
Under the terms of the sale, paleontologists will retain access to study the skeleton, further enhancing its scientific value. Weighing around 20 tonnes during its lifetime, Vulcan is now the largest dinosaur ever sold in France, marking a significant moment in both paleontology and the world of high-value auctions.
The sale also highlights the unique fossil laws in the United States, where private entities can acquire excavation rights, creating opportunities for rare finds like Vulcan to make their way into global collections and institutions.
As Vulcan embarks on the next chapter of its incredible journey, the world eagerly awaits its public debut, offering a glimpse into a prehistoric past millions of years in the making.
