

Long, long ago, two dinosaurs died apparently locked in a battle on the plains of modern-day Montana. Today, a battle over who owns the entangled fossil has turned into a multimillion-dollar issue. The outcome hinges on the legal definition of what constitutes a “mineral.” The Dueling Dinosaurs fossil is valued between $7 and $9 million.
Years ago, Lige and Mary Ann Murray bought a fossil-rich land parcel in eastern Montana from George Severson. His sons, Jerry and Robert Severson, were part owners. According to a 2005 contract, the brothers sold their “surface rights” to the Murrays. But they retained some of the “mineral rights.”
At the time of the sale, neither party suspected that there were valuable fossils buried on the ranch. But a few months later, an amateur paleontologist discovered the remains of the carnivore and herbivore grappling.
When the Seversons heard about the find in 2008, they sought to lay partial claim to the fossilized remains. The Murrays also asked for a court order giving them ownership.
If the private battle wasn’t enough, scientists want a voice in it too. By law, fossils found on private property can be privately owned. Paleontologists claim that vast historical resources then are unavailable for research. They say science is hampered by granting private ownership rights for ancient remains.
In 2016, a judge ruled that the fossil did not qualify as a mineral resource. U.S. District Judge Susan Watters of Billings said it wasn’t the composition of minerals that had value. Gold, for instance, is always valuable whether it is in the ground or shaped into coins or jewelry. But the fossil was valuable not for its makeup but for other characteristics: the species of dinosaurs represented, the circumstances at the time the creatures died, the preservation of the historical event.
The Seversons weren’t happy with Judge Watters’ decision. They appealed. A second court sided with them in a split decision in early November. Two of three judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Dueling Dinosaurs are minerals, both scientifically and under mineral rights laws. If that decision holds, the brothers will be entitled to two-thirds of all proceeds from the sale of any fossils found on the site.
A nearly complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil unearthed there sold for several million dollars in 2014. The funds have been held in a bank ever since—waiting for a final court decision about who the money goes to. Attorneys for the Murrays say they plan to ask for yet another hearing.
First comment!
Wow! I would love to see those fossils.
@ SH
me too that is so cool
Who lives in Indiana???
Who lives in Indiana???
me Na
me NA
5th comment
yay. 5 comments
@SH
me to. that looked like an awesome dinosaur
Why can't they just put the
Why can't they just put the fossils in a museum, have the museum pay both people evenly, and give them both credit? Because I'm not sure which side is right.
@Nadia A.
Our family used to live in Indiana about 7 years ago, but we moved when I was around 6 to Ohio.
that would be a lot of money
image how much the land would sell for
10th comment
wow. 10 comments
Wow, I would be really upset
Wow, I would be really upset if I thought I owned that fossil that could get me millions of dollars and then the court rules that it's not actually mine.
Dinosaurs ?????
I want to see a fossil!!:-) :-)
what if you were a dinosaur,
what if you were a dinosaur, fighting with another dinosaur, and then you both dropped dead?
how weird would that be?
Cool!!!
Wow, great time to fight dinosaurs right when the flood was happening.
15th comment
yay. 15 comments
i would also love
I would also love to seethe fossil i et that 2 diosaurs still in battle is a pretty cool fossil to see or find.