Stan Sacrison News Today

HILL CITY, S.D. – The Black Hills Institute of Geological Research opened in Rapid City in 1974 and moved to Hill City in 1978. Institute president and CEO Peter Larson

Proteins were discovered in fossilized feathers which were previously believed to only be present in modern animals.

Measuring 12.8 feet (3.9 m) high and 38.1 feet (11.6 m) long, the T. Rex skeleton that was sold at an auction in Switzerland yesterday is made up of 293 bones from three different dinosaurs.

HULETT, Wyo. -- Crouching over a snow-dusted quarry that moonlights as a fossil hunting ground, Peter Larson pointed to a weathered 4-inch slab peeking out from a blanket of white. A commonplace rock to the untrained eye, but an obvious dinosaur bone to Larson.

Fossils are a multimillion-dollar business, bringing legal disputes, nondisclosure agreements and trademarks to the world of paleontology

Crouching over a snow-dusted quarry that moonlights as a fossil hunting ground, Peter Larson pointed to a weathered 4-inch slab peeking out from a blanket of white. A commonplace rock to the untrained eye, but an obvious dinosaur bone to Larson.

Fossils are fetching millions at auction, inspiring legal disputes and introducing intellectual property rights, trademarks and nondisclosure agreements to the world of paleontology.

This is one of the most complete T-rex skulls ever found. It includes the tooth bearing jaw elements and most of the external bones on both right and left sides. The live auction is set for December 9.

Thousands of people flocked to a theater in Singapore to view a massive T-rex set for auction in Hong Kong next month, but experts are up in arms over this big-money bone trade.

The auction, to take place in Hong Kong on November 30, will be the first time a T. rex skeleton has ever been offered at auction in Asia.