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New York - A nearly intact skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus sold for$1.05 million (S$1.3 million) at auction in New York on Sunday,although the sale has been disputed by the Mongolian government,which has questioned whether it was obtained legally. The skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus bataar, a smaller Asian cousin ofthe fearsome Tyrannosaurus Rex that roamed North America during theCretaceous period about 80 million years ago, measures 2.4 metresand 7.3 metres, according to a statement by Heritage Auctions,which conducted the sale in New York. It was discovered in the Gobi Desert, which stretches acrossportions of northern China and southern Mongolia. Heritage Auctions President Greg Rohan said he does not know inwhich country the skeleton was found. The body of the skeleton is 75 per cent complete and the head isabout 80 per cent complete, said David Herskowitz, the director ofHeritage's natural history department. By contrast, he said, most dinosaur skeletons on display in museumsare "50 per cent complete or less." Heritage declined to identify the buyer, who submitted the winningbid by telephone. The sale will not be completed, however, until a court fightlaunched by the Mongolian government last week is resolved. The Mongolian government obtained a temporary restraining orderagainst the sale in Texas state district court in Dallas, whereHeritage is based. A US lawyer for the Mongolian government tried to interrupt thesale on Sunday afternoon in New York, Heritage said. "I am very surprised that Heritage Auctions Inc. knowingly defied avalid court order, particularly with the judge on the phone,listening and ready to explain his order," Houston attorney RobertPainter, who is representing the Mongolian government, said in astatement. Rohan said a restraining order from a state court in Texas was notenforcible in New York, where the sale occurred. Nonetheless, he said, Heritage has agreed not to complete the saleuntil "a court signs off on it." In a statement last week, Mongolian President Elbegdorj Tsakhiasaid if the skeleton had been found in Mongolia, "it was illegal toauction the T-Rex and the fossil must be returned to Mongolia." Rohan said the remains "entered the United States legally"and wereoffered for sale by a "reputable consignor who is well known tous.". The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as China Timber Composite Doors , Straight Staircases Manufacturer, and more. For more , please visit Solid Timber Door today!
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