|
sharpened tip shown completely intact from having abraded against the massive lower canine
very dramatic and deeply grooved outer surface indicating a very old and large male animal
|
|
MASSIVE WILD BOAR UPPER TUSK - Undisclosed Cave in the Ardennes Forest, Belgium PLEISTOCENE PERIOD: 150,000 years ago This is a very rare opportunity to acquire THE LARGEST, FINEST AND A COMPLETE! specimen of an upper tusk of an Ice Age wild boar, Sus scrofa. It was collected in a cave in the Ardennes Forest in a layer that was dated 150,000 years old. This specimen came from a massive male and is FULLY INTACT AND 100% complete with NO REPAIR, FABRICATION OR RESTORATION. There is a ZERO damage of any kind to this specimen which is nothing short of remarkable considering its hollow nature.Along with its impressive size and exquisite state of preservation, the fully intact surface enamel displays heavy and dramatic longitudinal ridges indicating this came from a very large, old male. This specimen is believed to be from the same large male as LM41-005 which is another massive and perfect example but of a LOWER canine, the type tooth that this lower would have rubbed against in the boar's jaw keeping both of these teeth continually sharp and able weapons. Both of these very large and fine specimens were found together in very close proximity. The cave that produced this remarkable fossil specimen was relatively dry and the state of preservation of this and all other fossil remains that were collected there, is of the highest degree. Wild boar remains from the Ice Age are rather uncommon Pleistocene fossils. Cave finds such as this, are exceedingly rare and a fossil canine tusk as large and complete as this choice specimen is could very likely be the only one like it that an individual collector will encounter in their lifetime! The wild boar, Sus scrofa, belongs to the Suidae Family and are artiodactyls or 'even-toed' ungulates. These mammals usually have either two or four weight-bearing toes with hooves. The "cloven hoof" appearance is characteristic of pigs, deer and cattle. Pigs evolved in the Oligocene Period, most likely in Asia and first appeared in Europe during the Miocene Period. They are omnivores and in prehistoric times, lived in a wide variety of habitats including tropical rainforests and dense woodlands. The wild boar is a large and extremely ferocious beast that still survives today. They have a saying in the Balkans that "you take a hunter with you when you want to kill a deer but you take a priest with you when you want to kill a boar". Wild boars are fearless creatures that have been known to attack and many times, kill humans. The most impressive and dangerous weapon of the wild boar is its dagger-sharp lower tusks. Only male boars develop long canines in their lower jaws. The dramatic, curved tusks as well as the robust upper canines are continually growing and rubbing against each other thereby keeping the ends sharp at all times. Often, a boar will attack any animal in its way, swinging its massive head against the body of its unfortunate victim, repeatedly puncturing its enemy's body with swift stabs from its sharp tusks. Wild boar prefer leafy forests and usually live in lairs hollowed out of the ground or thicket. They are predominantly nocturnal and are most active from sundown until just before sunrise. Small groups stick together with a dominant male reigning over a very large area of the forest. Modern day wild boars usually live in the wild for 8-10 years. MASSIVE, RAREST STATE OF PRESERVATION FOR A FOSSILIZED UPPER CANINE OF THIS ICE AGE BEAST! 3.7" !!! in length along the curve x 1.25" thick at base $395 LM41-006 INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX Actual Item - One Only |
|
image above shows frontal view of a male Sus scrofa skull with upper canine as seen in highlighted square
|
|
395 |
