Live Auction Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 10AM:
17. Mammoth Tusk and Upper Tooth
A mammoth is any species of an extinct genus of proboscidean
(elephants and their extinct relatives), often with long curved tusks and, in
northern species, a covering of long hair. They lived from the Pliocene epoch
from 4.8 million years ago to around 4,500 years ago. The word mammoth comes
from the Russian мамонт mamont, probably in turn from the Vogul (Mansi)
language. Mammoth remains have been found in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North
America. They are believed to have originally evolved in North Africa about 4.8
million years ago, during the Pliocene, where bones of Mammuthus africanavus
have been found in Chad, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia. Mammuthus subplanifrons,
found in South Africa and Kenya, is also believed to be one of the oldest
species (about 4 million years ago).
Nicely preserved examples of a mammoth tooth and tusk. Tooth scales fully
intact. Indelible ink “1330.” Tusk indelible ink “1352” to side.
Condition Report: Good, both appear polished
Size: Tooth 8 x 9 in. (20.3 x 22.9 cm.), Tusk 17 in. (43.2 cm.)
Provenance: Great Moments in History, Miller Museum
Estimate: $1,500 – 2,000
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