Lesson
Irritator Dinosaur Skull Returns to Brazil
A German museum is returning a rare dinosaur skull, Irritator challengeri, to Brazil after a long campaign for restitution. The skull, discovered to be the most complete of its kind, has sparked legal and ethical debates regarding its ownership.
Pick your level
Standard — Natural English
72 words · ~1 min readLesson audio
Standard level
Tap to play
Test your understanding
Test your understanding
01What is the name of the dinosaur skull being returned?
02In what year did the Stuttgart museum buy the skull?
03Which country is the skull being returned to?
04What law states that fossils found in Brazil belong to the state?
Discussion
Discussion
What are the implications of returning cultural artifacts to their countries of origin?
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
restitution word
the act of returning something to its rightful owner
“The museum's decision to return the skull is a significant act of restitution.”
fossil word
the remains of a prehistoric organism preserved in rock
“The Irritator skull is a rare fossil that provides insights into dinosaur history.”
jurisdiction word
the official power to make legal decisions
“The legal jurisdiction over the skull was debated for many years.”
collaboration word
working together with others to achieve a common goal
“The return of the skull highlights the importance of international collaboration in science.”
ethics word
moral principles that govern a person's behavior
“Concerns about the ethics of keeping the skull in Germany led to its return.”