Sue (dinosaur)

Meet Sue, the superstar of the dinosaur world! Officially designated FMNH PR 2081, Sue is one of the most complete and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex specimens ever discovered. This magnificent fossil was unearthed on August 12, 1990, by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson in South Dakota and is named in her honor.

Sue’s discovery was quite an adventure. A team from the Black Hills Institute stumbled upon bones protruding from a cliff. When they began excavating, they realized they had unearthed something extraordinary—an almost complete T. rex skeleton. However, complications arose due to legal disputes over the fossil’s ownership. The government seized Sue, and after prolonged litigation, the fossil was returned to the landowner, Maurice Williams. Williams then decided to sell it, and in 1997, Sue was auctioned off for an astounding $8.3 million. The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago won the bid, making Sue a star attraction ever since.

Preparing Sue for display was no small feat. Experts at the Field Museum meticulously cleaned and studied each bone, unveiling fascinating details about Sue’s life. They found evidence of injuries, diseases, and infections that Sue had endured. Measuring around 40 feet long and weighing between 8.4 to 14 metric tons, Sue is truly a giant.

Over the years, Sue’s exhibit has evolved. Initially, the bones were mounted in a dynamic pose, and in 2019, a new gallery was created with updated scientific information and engaging animations to dramatize Sue’s story even more vividly.

Sue has captivated the public’s imagination, appearing in various media. There’s a PBS Nova episode, a documentary titled "Dinosaur 13" and an NPR Planet Money episode all dedicated to Sue. Interestingly, because scientists have not determined Sue’s sex, the Field Museum and Sue’s official Twitter account use the singular “they” pronoun when referring to this magnificent dinosaur.