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The near-complete skeleton of a carnivorous dinosaur which roamed the earth around 150 million years ago was sold at a Paris auction house on Tuesday for $3.52 million. | Above: Visitors look at the skeleton of an Allosaurus displayed at Drouot auction house in Paris.
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The skeleton of the Allosaurus dinosaur, dug up in the US state of Wyoming three years ago, went to an unnamed foreign buyer for well in excess of the 1 million euro starting price.
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"This is a high grade specimen," said Iacopo Briano, a palaeontologist who acted as a consultant to the Binoche et Giquello auction house which conducted the sale.
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A technician holds the foot of an Allosaurus skeleton as it is assembled for display at the Drouot auction house, in Paris.
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The specimen is unusual because it is so complete: around 70 percent of the bones are present, and they were found aligned with each other, making it easier to reconnect them during the restoration process.
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The restored skeleton stands 3.5 metres high and 10 metres long.
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The ribcage bears the marks of what the auctioneers said may have been an attack by a rival Allosaurus or a predator.
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Technicians adjust a section of the Allosaurus skeleton.
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rench auctioneer Alexandre Giquello poses next to the Allosaurus skeleton.
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The foot of Allosaurus skeleton lies in its protective mould during assembly at the Drouot auction house, in Paris.
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A visitor looks at the skeleton of Allosaurus.
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