On Wednesday, July 16, the world-renowned auction house Sotheby’s in New York City will auction off a well-preserved specimen of a juvenile Ceratosaurus, dating back to the Late Jurassic period (approximately 154-149 million years ago). This specimen is one of only four ceratosaurs in the world and the only juvenile known to exist, making it a world-class specimen with exceptional preservation, unique and intact skull, and high scientific research value.
This special exhibition-quality articulated skeleton stands approximately 6 feet 3 inches tall and 10 feet 8 inches long, composed of 139 original fossil bones along with additional sculptural materials. Judging from the delicate skeletal structure, overall size, and level of skeletal development, this skeleton belonged to a young dinosaur.
The bones are fully mineralized, ranging in color from dark gray to black, showcasing exceptional fossilization with exquisitely preserved minute details. Each piece of the skull is remarkably intact, including the lower jaw and teeth. Apart from the incredibly well-preserved 43 teeth, there are also 5 loose tooth roots. The nasal horn is clear and well-preserved, and even the orbital ridges are intact and distinguishable.
The specimen has been meticulously prepared to the highest standards to showcase the natural beauty of the fossil. The skeleton has been accurately articulated in a lifelike pose on a specially crafted metal mount, with its jaw open to display its powerful teeth.
This skeleton comes with full rights, including complete ownership documentation, detailed 3D scans of the entire skeleton, and X-rays of the skull and individual elements.
The specimen was excavated by the Western Paleontological Laboratories in 1996 on private land at the Bone Cabin Quarry in Albany County, Wyoming, within the Morrison Formation. It was subsequently acquired by the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point in Utah, where it was exhibited from 2000 to 2024. The specimen was fully prepared and mounted between 2024 and 2025.
Throughout the auction preparation process, Sotheby’s worked closely with the owner to ensure complete documentation of the entire process, from discovery and excavation to restoration, preparation, mounting, and sale, all conducted at the highest standards and transparency.
Ceratosaurus nasicornis, or Ceratosaurus, is a favorite among dinosaur enthusiasts. This predatory dinosaur is easily recognizable by its distinctive nasal horn, elongated teeth, and a row of bony armor along its back and tail.
Ceratosaurus is relatively lesser-known, and its fossils are extremely rare, imbuing it with an air of mystery in paleontology. As such, each discovery of Ceratosaurus is a significant event within the field of paleontology.
In 1897, renowned paleontologist Walter Granger discovered the fossil excavation site while working for the American Museum of Natural History. He named the quarry Bone Cabin Quarry after witnessing shepherds in the area using dinosaur bones to construct temporary shelters. The Bone Cabin was preserved in 1933 and underwent reconstruction. In 1938, Ripley’s Believe It or Not magazine dubbed it as the “oldest building in the world.” In 2008, the Bone Cabin was listed as a national historic landmark and has become one of Wyoming’s most popular tourist attractions.