What in the World - Why are rich people obsessed with owning dinosaur bones?

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Dinosaur bones have become one of the world’s most expensive collector’s items, with some selling for tens of millions of dollars at auction. A Tyrannosaurus rex fossil recently sold for $50 million, making it the most expensive dinosaur ever auctioned. Some celebrities, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, have their own private collections. So why are the ultra wealthy spending so much money on dinosaur bones, and what does it mean for science?

We speak to BBC Climate and Science journalist Esme Stallard about why they have become so valuable, who is buying them, and why many scientists are concerned about private ownership. We also hear from Professor Steve Brusatte, a palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh and consultant on the Jurassic Park films, about why these ancient fossils matter and the growing debate over who should really own them.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producer: Adam Chowdhury, William Lee Adams and Emma-Louise Amanshia
Video producer: Baldeep Chahal
Editor: Emily Horler

Published on Tuesday, 28th July 2026.

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