July 18, 2024

While the world watched the record-breaking sale of "Apex," the most complete Stegosaurus skeleton sold at Sotheby’s for nearly 300 million DKK, the Museum of Evolution is busy excavating and restoring another equally exceptional and well-preserved stegosaur species for its exhibition.

A Groundbreaking Discovery in Wyoming

As Apex sets new auction records, the Museum of Evolution is preparing another extraordinary and well-preserved stegosaur species. In Wyoming, USA, the museum is working in collaboration with an American excavation and research team to uncover a unique stegosaur species—Hesperosaurus mjosi. Early research already indicates that this specimen is one of the largest and most complete of its kind.

"When we discovered this stegosaur in 2022, we had no idea just how extraordinary the find was. It wasn’t until we unearthed the skull that we realized its uniqueness. We didn’t fully understand its significance until last week, when research began, and more bones were revealed," says Christoffer Knuth, director of the Museum of Evolution.

He is supported by his US partner, Brock Sisson, paleontologist and head of the excavation team for the Museum of Evolution. "These partnerships enable us to uncover and secure significant discoveries for scientific study and public display," Sisson explains.

As restoration continues in the laboratory, researchers will analyze the skeleton, which is set to be prepared for public exhibition at the Museum of Evolution in Denmark by late 2024. The arrival is expected in early 2025.

Record Sales Highlight Fossils as Cultural Treasures

The sale of Apex for nearly 300 million DKK underscores the growing global interest in natural history artifacts, which are increasingly viewed on par with works of art. It also highlights the importance of preservation and the immense value fossils add to our understanding of the history of life on Earth.

Mark A. Loewen, paleontologist and professor at the University of Utah and acting curator for the Museum of Evolution, expresses his enthusiasm:
"The Museum of Evolution's exhibitions support both education and research, offering visitors the opportunity to experience authentic skeletons in a way unlike anywhere else in the world."

A New World-Class Addition

Christoffer Knuth, director of the Museum of Evolution, emphasizes:
"This new addition to our collection reaffirms our ambition to bring another world-class dinosaur skeleton to the Museum of Evolution. This is our shared heritage, and it deserves to be preserved for future generations."

The upcoming Stegosaurus addition will complement the Museum of Evolution’s extensive collection of some of the world’s most complete skeletons and fossils, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in natural history exhibitions.