CHICAGO, IL — Thirty-five years ago today, explorer Sue Hendrickson stumbled upon what would become the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever found — a fossil now famously known as “Sue” at Chicago’s Field Museum.
According to the Field Museum, the discovery happened on Aug. 12, 1990, in the cliffs near Faith, South Dakota, after Hendrickson separated from her fossil-hunting team to explore an untouched section of terrain. Protruding bones led to the unearthing of a record 90-percent-complete T. rex skeleton, later measured at over 40 feet long.
What followed was a years-long legal dispute over ownership. The Black Hills Institute, which excavated the fossil, clashed with landowner Maurice Williams, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and federal authorities. In 1997, the courts ruled Williams owned the remains, and he placed them for auction. The Field Museum, backed by corporate and private donors including McDonald’s and Walt Disney Parks, secured Sue for $8.36 million — at the time, the highest price ever paid for a fossil.
Since being unveiled in 2000, Sue has become one of the museum’s most visited and studied specimens. The fossil was relocated in 2018 to a dedicated 5,100-square-foot gallery, featuring updated scientific reconstructions and immersive video backdrops depicting Cretaceous life. Sue’s real skull remains displayed separately for closer research access.
Beyond being a scientific treasure, Sue is a Chicago icon — a centerpiece for paleontology outreach and one of the most photographed exhibits in the city. The Field Museum marked today’s anniversary with guided tours, children’s activities, and behind-the-scenes talks from paleontologists who continue to study the fossil’s mysteries, from injury patterns to possible species classification debates.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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