PARIS, Sept 18 (Reuters) – An unusually well-preserved dinosaur skeleton, the Camptosaurus known as Barry, dating from the late Jurassic period some 150 million years ago, will be dissected in Paris next month.
The dinosaur was first discovered in the U.S. state of Wyoming in the 1990s and first reconstructed in 2000 by paleontologist Barry James, from whom it takes its name.
Italian research institute Zoic, which acquired Barry last year, carried out further restoration work on the skeleton, which is 2.10 meters (6.9 feet) high and 5 meters (16.4 feet) long.
[1/4]FILE PHOTO – On display is the skeleton of an adult dinosaur named Barry, a large specimen of Camptosaurus from the late Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago, in excellent condition and the only dinosaur of its kind ever recorded. It is one of the most complete skulls ever.At Drouot Auction House Obtaining license rights
“It’s a very well-preserved specimen and very rare,” said Alexandre Zichello of the Hotel Drouot, the Paris auction house where the sale will take place.
“If you take the skull as an example, the skull is 90% complete, and the rest of the dinosaur (skeleton) is 80% complete,” he said.
Zichello said dinosaur specimens remain rare on the art market, with only a few sold each year around the world.
The skeleton will be put on public display in mid-October before being sold, and is expected to fetch up to 1.2 million euros ($1.28 million).
Report by Louise Dalmaso.Editing: Jane Merriman
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