A remarkably complete 154-million-year-old theropod fossil, nicknamed Juliasaurus, has made its public debut at the Hollytrees Museum in Colchester, U.K. Discovered in Wyoming’s Morrison Formation in 2020 and sold by the David Aaron gallery to a private collector, the 20-foot-long specimen is currently part of the “Discover: Museum Wonders” exhibition. While initially thought to be an Allosaurus or Marshosaurus, unique anatomical features in its skull and pelvis suggest it may represent an entirely new species.
The exhibition highlights the complex relationship between the private fossil market and scientific research. While the sale of significant specimens to private collectors often draws criticism for limiting academic access, the David Aaron gallery is facilitating a research window for scientists during this loan. This collaborative model follows a successful precedent where a previously misidentified fossil was studied and eventually gifted to the Natural History Museum, ensuring that rare prehistoric discoveries remain accessible for paleontological study.