German museum to return rare Irritator dinosaur skull to Brazil
Summary
A rare 113-million-year-old dinosaur skull called Irritator challengeri, originally from Brazil, will be returned to Brazil from a German museum. The fossil was bought by the Stuttgart Museum of Natural History in 1991 but is subject to Brazilian laws that protect fossils as national property. A joint agreement between Germany and Brazil announced the fossil’s handover as part of scientific cooperation.Key Facts
- The fossil is of a dinosaur species called Irritator challengeri, discovered to be the most complete spinosaurid skull.
- The skull was bought by a German museum in 1991, but it was believed to have come from Brazil.
- Brazilian law states fossils belong to the state and can only be exported with permission and scientific cooperation.
- The exact date when the fossil was excavated or taken from Brazil is unknown, causing legal concerns.
- A campaign involving over 260 experts and 34,000 public supporters called for the skull’s return to Brazil.
- Germany and Brazil agreed on scientific cooperation and the handover of the fossil to Brazil’s care.
- Some experts said the official statement used the words “hand over” instead of “return” or “repatriate,” which they found less clear.
- The fossil’s return is seen as a step toward more ethical scientific practices respecting countries’ rights and heritage.
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