jan 1, 1990 - Sue found

Description:

Sue is a nickname for one of the most complete and best preserved dinosaur skeletons of Tyrannosaurus rex (labeled FMNH PR 2081). The fossil is dated to about 87 million years ago, and is among the largest skeletons of T-rex. Measuring 12.8 meters long, Sue is among the largest known skeletons of T. rex. The specimen was found on August 12, 1990, on South Dakota’s Cheyenne River Sioux reservation, on a cattle ranch owned by Maurice Williams. It was discovered by American marine archaeologist and paleontologist Susan Hendrickson, the scientist for whom the specimen is named, as she searched the property with American paleontologist Peter Larson. Sue became the property of Williams and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
The BIA gave Williams permission to sell Sue and suggested that the fossil be auctioned. This move was controversial in the eyes of many scientists, who feared the commercialization and possible private collection of scientifically important specimens. Eventually, Sue was sold to Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History for $8,362,500, which was backed by McDonald's Corporation, Walt Disney World Resorts and the California State University system. Disney was given a replica for exhibition at Walt Disney World, and McDonald’s received two replicas that would be taken on tour. The remainder of Sue’s preparation for display was carried out in the McDonald’s Fossil Preparation Laboratory at the Field Museum in full view of spectators. Because the dinosaur’s 1.5-metre-long skull was too heavy (272 kg ) for the skeleton to support, a life-size cast was mounted to the rest of the skeleton for the exhibit. Sue’s actual skull was displayed on the museum’s second-floor balcony. The fossil has been on permanent display at the Field Museum since May 17, 2000.

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