LMX021 - EXTREMELY RARE SOUTH AMERICAN TOXODON JAW WITH STUNNING INTACT GIANT PRIMARY MOLAR

Product Description

ITEM # 

LMX021

ID

Toxodon sp.

FOUND

South America

AGE

PLIOCENE TO PLEISTOCENE:  3 million - 11,000 years ago

SIZE

5.25" long, main molar is 2.25" long at base

CONDITION

MINOR REPAIR TO BONE, TOOTH INTACT AND
COMPLETE.  NO FABRICATION OR
RESTORATION - ORIGINAL TOOTH STILL 
EMBEDDED IN MANDIBLE.  COLOR NATURAL.

NOTE

EXTREMELY RARE SPECIMEN!

INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX - Actual Item - One Only

Comes with a certificate of authenticity / information sheet

This is an extremely rare fossil partial mandible with the largest primary molar of a Toxodon, an extinct prehistoric beast that once thrived in South America.  Toxodon fossils are rare and their absence in the commercial market is not only due to their scarcity but also due to the fact that for years, they have been protected and forbidden to be exported from the countries in South America where they are found.  We acquired a very old United States collection that included some of these rare fossils, this being the prize of the collection.  After these few specimens are sold, it is most likely we will never see such an opportunity again due to the strict regulations now in place.  Regardless of its rarity, this is an incredibly impressive fossil jaw and the molar is so unusual and impeccably preserved, you cannot help but to admire its beauty as well as be captivated by its unusual anatomy.  You can even see veined color variations in the bone likely caused by roots in the soil.  To any mammal fossil collection featuring rare specimens, this would truly be a prize acquisition.

When we acquired this specimen, it was in bad need of proper cleaning and conservation which we performed in our on-site lab.  It is so rare of a specimen we opted to NOT perform any restoration work or even crack filling - only a consolidant was applied to the piece after cleaning to strengthen any weaknesses in the fossil for safe handling.  Other than our conservation and field repairs to the bone, the jaw is exactly as it was found with an ORIGINAL molar still embedded in the bone.  The molar is complete with only a very slight amount of wear.  This lack of wear is responsible for a very high, gorgeous crown demonstrating such a bizarre anatomy to the tooth.  The color in the molar enamel is amazing and the complimentary blend of colors in the bone of the jaw add immeasurable beauty to this strange and extremely rare specimen.  This piece would not only make a fantastic public exhibition fossil, but the historical scientific context would make this a fantastic display fossil for presentations or exhibits featuring Charles Darwin and his famous expeditions on the HMS Beagle.  This extraordinary prize fossil boasts of 100% ORIGINAL AND NATURAL BEAUTY and has  NO ENHANCEMENT, FABRICATION OR RESTORATION. 

The scientific history of TOXODON fossils dates all the way back to Charles Darwin who first collected its fossils and described this unusual, extinct beast.  Darwin's travels and observations of South American mammals and their comparison to European counterparts led him to formulate his theories on evolution and natural selection.  Toxodon lived in South America from the Pliocene to Pleistocene Periods.  An herbivore, this animal had the head of a hippo but the robust body of a rhino with three-toed feet and strong muscles.  Full grown, it reached was 9 feet long and 5 feet high.  Because of its resemblance to a hippopotamus, Toxodon was first thought to be an amphibious mammal but later studies revealed it was a wholly terrestrial beast.  Several discoveries of Toxodon fossils have been found in association with prehistoric stone arrowheads indicating that they were hunted by ancient humans.