Description:

Eastern Europe, Pleistocene epoch, ca. 1.2 million to 24,000 years ago. An incredible fossilized tooth from a prehistoric European cave bear (Ursus spelaeus)- a canine tooth, likely from the lower jaw. Cave bears were once part of the group of megafaunas that roamed Ice Age Europe - alongside mammoths, wooly rhinos, giant deer, and lions - the males of the species could be fifty percent larger than modern day grizzly bear! This massive tooth can attest to their size - the enamel tip is mostly intact, with an extensive root. Despite their fierce looking teeth and size, cave bears had a mostly vegetarian diet, and ultimately went extinct during the Last Glacial Maximum ca. 27000 to 24000 years ago. The remains and fossilized bones of these bears are often well preserved in caves, where the bears may have passed away in their sleep while hibernating. Size: 4.2" L x 1.35" W (10.7 cm x 3.4 cm)

Provenance: private Englewood, Colorado USA collection; ex-Martin Boxer estate, Denver, Colorado, USA

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#175238

  • Condition: Enamel surface layer reattached to tip, and stable fissure / chip to enamel. Rest of tooth is intact and good condition.

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March 19, 2023 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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