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Lot
49320

A SUPERB TYRANNOSAURUS TOOTH WITH AN ERUPTING CROWN. ...

2012 May 20 Natural History & Fine Minerals Signature Auction- New York #6068

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Auction Ended On: May 20, 2012
Item Activity: 4 Internet/mail/phone bidders Number of Bidders
2,850 page views
Location: Center 548
548 W. 22nd St.
New York, NY 10011

Description:
A SUPERB TYRANNOSAURUS TOOTH WITH AN ERUPTING CROWN
Tyrannosaurus bataar
Late Cretaceous - 68 Million Years Old
Nemegt Formation, The Gobi Desert
Central Asia

Tyrannosaurus rex was the largest, deadliest, and most powerful carnivorous dinosaur of all time, and the largest land carnivore of any type in our Earth's history. Tyrannosaurus bataar was a slightly smaller Asian cousin of T. rex, but which exhibited a nearly identical osteology and morphology, indicating that their prey selection and hunting styles were very similar. Its massive skull measured up to 4 feet long and was lined with huge spike-like teeth that were bigger than the teeth of any other theropod (carnivorous dinosaur) except T. rex. Its skull was narrow in the front and wider in back, but not as wide as in T. rex, possibly indicating that T. rex may have possessed binocular vision and that T. bataar did not. T. bataar tooth crowns (i.e. the enameled and serrated portion of the tooth) were very robust so that they would more effectively transmit the energy of impact into the victim's body and gouge, rather than cut, huge chunks of flesh out of the prey, as this ancient monster bore down with its powerful jaws. Tyrannosaurus had the greatest biting force of any large theropod ever, so it appears that great jaw strength was an evolutionary adaptation to allow for this high-impact hunting style. The incredible sheer forces, generated during these violent attacks, on the Tyrannosaurus' teeth required them to be extremely sturdy. Thus, T. rex and T. bataar had the most robust roots among all dinosaurs, and that feature is apparent in the two exquisite specimens offered here.

All toothed theropod dinosaurs could produce an unlimited supply of teeth throughout their lifetimes, as can modern crocodiles and alligators today. Thus, a tooth, that was lost during the extremely violent feeding activities, could be replaced quickly because underneath every active tooth in a dinosaur's jaw, there would always be a "germ" tooth, which is an enamel crown that has been slowly growing in the jaw as a back-up for just such an event. There are often more than one germ crowns, nestled at the base of the root of every tooth in a theropod's jaws, just waiting to be called into action by the healing process of the tyrannosaur's body. After a tooth was lost in combat, the dinosaur's jaw would start growing a new root to attach to an already mostly-developed crown, and, as the root grew, the tooth would slowly erupt up through the gum line, until the root was fully set in the jaw, and the crown was fully deployed into the dental battery.

The present specimen exhibits this amazing replacement capability because the germ crown is still present, attached at the base of the root of this matchless Tyrannosaurus tooth. It exhibits gorgeous, pristine surfaces and perfect serrations on both the anterior and posterior cutting edges of the blades, and possesses exquisite natural luster with gorgeous colors of yellow-brown and orange with reddish striations, nicely accented by tan and orange blotches and checking. The whitish-tan root is flawless and has nice black dendritic patterns and reddish and orange blotches as well. Arguably, the finest Tyrannosaurus bataar tooth known, and certainly one of the largest. It measures 10 1/2 inches long with 3 3/4 inches of enamel on both crowns, and comes with a custom black metal stand.

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