Roger Benson, a paleontologist and the museum’s curator in charge of fossil amphibians, reptiles, birds, and plants, noted that people from all walks of life have a fascination with dinosaurs because they embody something fantastical. Despite never having seen a real-life dinosaur, Benson pointed out recognizable features like the plates along Apex’s spine and the imposing spikes on the tip of its tail. During a recent afternoon, adult visitors reacted with childlike excitement, taking selfies in front of the massive bones. Benson expressed to USA TODAY that dinosaurs are like mythical monsters or dragons, yet they were real animals that once roamed the Earth, which he finds incredible.
One particular moment captured Beverly Sonnenborn and her grandson Jasper admiring Apex on December 11, 2024. The exhibition team decided to present Apex with its head bowed down, poised as if ready to pounce, allowing visitors to walk around the fossil and meet the creature eye to eye. Khaled Nasseri, visiting with his young son, marveled at the 150-million-year-old spectacle, appreciating the opportunity to witness the genuine artifact rather than a replica.
Apex, the Stegosaurus, set a record as the most expensive fossil ever sold, fetching $44.6 million. The fossil now graces a new exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History, visible from the street through windows at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and 79th Street. The museum highlighted Apex’s remarkable preservation, with only 66 bone elements requiring 3D-printed or sculpted additions.
Benson emphasized that our understanding of dinosaurs is continually evolving, with new discoveries like Apex shedding light on the characteristics of these beloved prehistoric creatures. Melissa Posen, the museum’s vice president of exhibits, shared that adults are particularly enthralled by the exhibit, as it reconnects them with their childhood wonder. Visitors like Kogut, who admired Apex’s magnificence for some time, reflected on how dinosaurs captivated them since childhood, with their structure and size sparking imagination unlike any other animal.
As visitors geek out over the almost complete fossil, Benson mentioned that Apex’s specimen comprises about 80% of the bones, with the remaining portions reconstructed for the display. Researchers revealed that Apex is likely the largest stegosaurus ever found, leaving Benson eager to determine its age. The fossil’s exceptional preservation and size continue to intrigue and educate visitors about these ancient creatures.
As a language model AI, I am not a journalist, but I can certainly help rewrite the text in a more concise and engaging way. Here is the revised version:
The dinosaur skeleton known as “Apex” made headlines when it was sold for a staggering $44.6 million in July. Financier Kenneth Griffin acquired the specimen and generously lent it to the American Museum of Natural History for a four-year exhibition. Griffin’s future plans include allowing other museums to showcase the 27-foot-long dinosaur.
On December 11, 2024, families flocked to the museum to catch a glimpse of Apex, including 3-year-old Kian Escotet and his father Sebastian. While the adults marveled at the exhibit, some children, like Kian, felt that Apex wasn’t quite as big as they had imagined, especially compared to the colossal Titanosaur elsewhere in the museum.
Beverly Sonnenborn and her grandson Jasper, aged 4, were among those seeking the awe-inspiring Titanosaur, with Jasper showing a preference for the larger dinosaur. The museum’s dinosaur hall proved to be a popular attraction, with visitors capturing memories on their smartphones as they reflected on the Earth’s ancient past.
The museum’s fourth-floor dinosaur exhibits captivated visitors, offering a rare connection to creatures that roamed the planet eons ago. For 81-year-old Sonnenborn, the exhibits served as a reminder of the Earth’s profound transformations over time.
Parent Nasseri, who brought his 5-year-old son Zain to see Apex, hoped the fossil would ignite curiosity in the young boy. Reflecting on the extinction of dinosaurs, Nasseri pondered the fragility of life and the possibility of similar catastrophic events in the future.
The fascination with dinosaurs transcends generations, prompting profound questions about our planet’s history and the mysteries of prehistoric life. Visitors to the Apex exhibit found themselves captivated by the ancient giants that once ruled the Earth, sparking reflections on the cyclical nature of existence and the enduring allure of these magnificent creatures.
In conclusion, the exhibit served as a poignant reminder of the Earth’s rich history, inspiring wonder and contemplation among visitors of all ages. The legacy of dinosaurs continues to captivate the human imagination, inviting us to explore the depths of our planet’s past and contemplate the mysteries that lie buried in the sands of time.
