Ned Potter is the science correspondent for ABC's "World News with Charles Gibson." He has reported on such topics as space exploration, the human genome and climate change.
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At Auction: Mummy's Hand, Mars Rock
March 20, 2007 5:55 PM
A California-based auction house, I.M. Chait, has flagged us to what it labels an "Important Natural History Auction" this weekend in Beverly Hills and New York. 
Along with various pieces of black opal and feldspar, they list:
--"An Extremely Rare Tyrannosaurid Skull – This is the first prepped and mounted example of a Tyrannosaurus skull ever available at auction. Approximately 67 million years old, recovered in Asia and in pristine condition (estimate $140,000 - $180,000)." It is not a T. rex, they explain, but a cousin, Tyrannosaurus bataar.
--"An authentic Egyptian mummy's hand." The listing says, "Although it is unquestionably authentic, its provenance can only be traced to an antique dealer from New Jersey."
--"A superb slice of a Martian meteorite." Discovered in Libya, they say, in 1998, and verified by "the Max Plank Institute in Germany." (Note: it's usually spelled "Planck," with a "c.")
You're welcome to bid, if you have the money. Or, if you're so inclined, you may wonder how these things escaped from their natural habitats onto the auction block.
The main part of the answer, of course, is finders-keepers. There are researchers, though, who grit their teeth (not fossilized) when these things happen.
(Pictures courtesy I.M. Chait Gallery.)
March 20, 2007 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (4)
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I see that this auction is for people with more money than common sense. What does one do with a Tyrannosaurus skull or a mummified hand--display it proudly on the coffee table for friends to admire? I've never understood the mania some people have for artifacts which are clearly more suited to museums for everyone to enjoy than for private collections where they are hoarded.
Posted by: chuck | Mar 21, 2007 8:13:55 AM
I thought the sale of human body parts was illegal – it seems I'm wrong. Even considering that the hand is ancient, it doesn't seem ethical to offer parts of people to the highest bidder. Does it look to you as if the hand has its finger in the air as if bidding for itself?
Posted by: Allan J | Mar 21, 2007 11:15:07 AM
Be sure & check out all of the auction items. I believe this is an open auction. Some of the items are expected to sell for a few $100/$1000.
How cool would it be to own a piece of a meteor for a few $100?
I have certainly paid that much for art in the past why not a meteor or 1000000 year old fossil?
Posted by: Heni | Mar 23, 2007 4:23:13 AM
i like this one because i am intreasted in these kind of things you should do them more offten
Posted by: kaitlyn | Mar 26, 2007 7:59:08 AM
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