In 1990, the first three fossil bones were discovered which were part of a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton subsequently unearthed. Susan Hendrickson found them while hunting fossils at a cliff near Faith, in the Black Hills of S. Dakota. When fully excavated and cleaned, the skeleton, thereafter nicknamed Sue, was a remarkable specimen, over 90% complete, with very well-preserved bones. Furthermore, it was the largest T. rex ever found—42-ft long, with a one-ton 5-ft long skull. After lengthy legal proceedings to establish ownership, the verdict was that it came from federal land and the U.S. claimed the bones. Eventually, on 4 Oct 1997, the bones were sold at auction to the Field Museum, Chicago, for 8.36 million (paid in part by corporate donations) and assembled for display from 17 May 2000.«