PYGMY MAMMOTH PALATE WITH TWO TEETH. ...

Description

PYGMY MAMMOTH PALATE WITH TWO TEETH
Mammuthus primigenius
Holocene
Wrangel Island, Siberia
This excellent specimen comes from the roof of the mouth of a wooly mammoth. It represents the palate section of the maxilla, complete with two finely preserved teeth. The bone illustrates the fascinating inner structure of the front part of the skull and exhibits lovely bone texture and a warm woody patination. The teeth themselves show considerable wear, exposing the distinctive lamellar structure of their interior, and indicate a mature animal; yet their small size is such that one can only conclude that they come from a pygmy version of the giant mammoth, such as are known from the Californian Channel Islands (separate species M.exilis), St Paul's Island and, as here Wrangel Island, where the population survived until almost 3,500 years ago. A fine and unusual specimen, it boasts teeth measuring 2 1/8 inches wide and is 6 1/8 x 5 x 4½ inches overall.

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