German museum to return rare Irritator dinosaur skull to Brazil
A rare 113-million-year-old Irritator dinosaur skull, acquired by a Stuttgart museum in 1991, is set to be returned to Brazil following a long campaign for its repatriation. The fossil, believed to have been illegally exported, has been the subject of ethical and legal concerns due to its origins in Brazil, where fossils are state property. The decision marks a significant moment in global efforts to address colonial legacies in scientific research and museum collections.
- ▪The Irritator challengeri skull is the most complete spinosaurid skull ever found and was purchased by the Stuttgart museum of natural history in 1991.
- ▪Brazilian law states that fossils belong to the state and cannot be legally exported without a permit and a partnership with a Brazilian scientific institution.
- ▪A joint declaration by Germany and Brazil confirms the fossil will be handed over to Brazil, following pressure from over 263 scientists and 34,000 petition signatories.
- ▪Brazilian researchers have welcomed the return, calling it a step toward more ethical, less colonial scientific practices.
- ▪The fossil's exact excavation date and path out of Brazil remain unknown, raising longstanding legal and ethical concerns.
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A computer-generated image of Irritator challengeri. Illustration: Stocktrek Images/AlamyView image in fullscreenA computer-generated image of Irritator challengeri. Illustration: Stocktrek Images/AlamyDinosaursGerman museum to return rare Irritator dinosaur skull to BrazilSpinosaurid fossil bought by Stuttgart institution in 1991 has been the subject of a long restitution campaignNicola Davis Science correspondentSat 2 May 2026 06.00 EDTLast modified on Sat 2 May 2026 06.02 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleIt is a 113-million-year-old bone of contention.After Stuttgart’s museum of natural history bought a fossilised dinosaur skull in 1991, researchers found it was the most complete spinosaurid skull known to date, belonging to a previously unknown genus of the huge meat-eating…
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