Dinosaur 13

Dinosaur 13 is a gripping documentary that chronicles the story of one of the most significant discoveries in the history of paleontology. The film follows the ordeal of Peter Larson and his team at the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research, who discovered the bones of a Tyrannosaurus rex on federal land in South Dakota in 1990.

Peter Larson and his team had successfully excavated and prepared the bones of the largest and most complete T. rex skeleton ever found. They nicknamed it "Sue" after Sue Hendrickson, who first discovered the bones. However, what should have been a moment of scientific glory turned into a decades-long legal battle with the United States government.

The film delves into the personal and financial struggles that Larson and his team faced as they fought to retain ownership of the bones, only to have them seized by the FBI and placed under federal custody. What follows is a legal battle that highlights the complex issue of ownership rights of fossils found on public lands. This legal battle is depicted in the film through interviews with those involved and archival footage of the trials.

Through this ordeal, we see the impact that the fossil craze of the 1990s had on the scientific community. The T. rex skeleton, which was estimated to be worth millions of dollars, became a commodity, with many parties fighting to own it. The film explores the ethical implications of this commodification, as well as the impact commercial interests can have on scientific inquiry.

The documentary features interviews with many of the scientists who worked on the excavation and preparation of Sue's bones. These interviews provide insight into the scientific significance of the discovery, including how it challenged long-held beliefs about the evolution of the T. rex. The film also features interviews with well-known paleontologists, including Robert Bakker, who provide context and commentary on the importance of Sue's discovery.

In addition to exploring the scientific and legal implications of the discovery, the documentary also focuses on the personal sacrifices and emotional toll the ordeal took on Peter Larson and his team. The film details Larson's ultimately unsuccessful attempts to negotiate with the government to keep Sue in South Dakota, as well as the financial ruin that Larson and his colleagues faced due to legal fees.

Dinosaur 13 is a poignant and often heart-wrenching look at the toll that scientific exploration can take on individuals and the larger scientific community. The documentary raises important questions about ownership rights, intellectual property, and the commodification of scientific discoveries.

Overall, Dinosaur 13 is an engaging and thought-provoking documentary that should be seen by anyone with an interest in paleontology, the ethics of scientific research, or the legal complexities of fossil ownership.