Jason Cooper : Colorado Man Discovers Dinosaur Fossil: Million-Dollar Auction Opportunity

Archaeologists engage in excavations to unravel the mysteries of human history. Countless discoveries have reshaped our understanding of the past, unearthing human remains, artefacts, and ancient civilizations. In a remarkable turn of events, a Colorado man stumbled upon ancient bones that would alter the course of his life.

Jason Cooper, a Colorado resident, stumbled upon massive bones while out exploring with a friend. These bones were later identified as belonging to a dinosaur. Intrigued by the size of the bones, Cooper carefully collected them, brought them home, and attempted to reconstruct the creature they once belonged to. It wasn’t long before he realised the immense value these bones held, potentially fetching millions at auction.

According to a report by the BBC, on his 45th birthday, Jason Cooper and his friend were hiking near a mountain close to his home when they stumbled upon these colossal bones protruding from a rock wall. The bones were partially buried in sediment and mud, requiring careful excavation. Cooper described, “I noticed the tail spikes and large plates on its back. As I unearthed more, I realised the sheer size of the creature.” Cooper’s property lies within the Morrison Formation, a site abundant in Jurassic period sedimentary rocks.

Jason Cooper, who owns approximately 100 acres of land, has made a remarkable discovery over the past decade. He has unearthed the remains of 10 dinosaurs within the last 10 to 12 years. Upon reporting his findings, officials launched an investigation, determining that these bones had been buried for approximately 150 million years. Despite the passage of time, the bones remained remarkably intact. The skeleton, measuring 11.5 feet in height and 27 feet in length, has been dubbed “Apex.”

Cassandra Hatton of Sotheby’s estimates that the dinosaur skeleton could fetch millions at auction. However, Professor of Palaeontology Steve Brusatte emphasises the rarity of intact Stegosaurus specimens, advocating for their preservation in museums rather than private collections. While regulations in America permit individuals to excavate dinosaur remains on their property, Brusatte stresses the importance of preserving these invaluable scientific specimens.